Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT 

 

The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, USC is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape. 

  

This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization that’s leading this transformation. You’ll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellence—working alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact. 

  

If you’re driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table. 

 

POSITION SUMMARY 

 

As the Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management you will be an integral leader of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem and reporting to the Chief Information Security Officer. This is a full-time exempt position, eligible for all of USC’s fantastic Benefits + Perks. This opportunity is hybrid. 

 

The Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive identity and access management strategy that integrates Zero Trust principles, extends identity governance to both human and non-human actors, and supports the university’s mission of innovation, security and operational excellence. Drives IAM initiatives that safeguard institutional assets, streamline access experiences and enable a secure digital transformation for faculty, staff, students and partners. Works collaboratively across all university departments to ensure that IAM technologies align with academic, research and operational needs while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. 

 

The Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management will: 

• Develops and implements a forward-thinking IAM strategy that aligns with the university’s technological and cybersecurity goals. Drives the adoption of modern IAM principles such as Zero Trust and identity decentralization to secure access across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Leads the university’s IAM program to maturity across CISA’s Zero Trust pillars (i.e., identity, device, network, application, data). Maintains professional currency. Advocates for innovative solutions. Participates in industry forums, conferences, and professional publications. Serves as an advisor to senior leadership on IAM trends and innovations, threat mitigation strategies related to access control, and ensuring alignment with institutional goals.    

• Leads the deployment of advanced IAM technologies (e.g., AI-driven access controls, adaptive authentication solutions,) while ensuring seamless integration with cloud-native, mobile, IoT, and multi-cloud platforms. Ensures IAM systems enable digital transformation initiatives, secure collaboration with external partners, and support academic, research, and administrative resource access.    

• Oversees the lifecycle of digital identities (e.g., provisioning, de-provisioning, role-based access control) for joiners, movers, leavers (JML) and non-human identities across systems, ensuring accurate and secure access management. Develops metrics and dashboards to monitor IAM performance, assess program effectiveness, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.    

• Develops and enforces IAM policies that comply with regulatory standards (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR). Conducts risk assessments and establishes incident response protocols for IAM-related vulnerabilities.    

• Partners with academic and operational units to identify IAM needs, deliver tailored solutions, and represent the university on internal and external committees. Leads and mentors IAM professionals. Oversees workforce planning.  

• Ensures the recruitment, training, and professional development of staff. Manages the IAM budget. Oversees vendor relationships, contracts, and SLAs to deliver high-quality IAM solutions.    

• Accountable for all aspects of staff management, (e.g., hiring, coaching, training, performance reviews, pay actions, and promotions within the Enterprise Identity and Access Management organization). Provides technical leadership and mentorship to ensure a high-performing Enterprise Identity and Access Management team.  

• Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics. 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Great candidates for the position of Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management will meet the following qualifications: 

• 10 years in Identity and Access Management 

• Bachelor’s degree in information science or cyber security or in related field(s) with combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education 

• Proven track record of developing and implementing IAM strategies aligned with Zero Trust and modern identity principles. 

• Expertise in advanced IAM technologies (e.g., AI-driven access controls, adaptive authentication, and seamless integration with multi-cloud and hybrid environments). 

• Demonstrated experience implementing Zero Trust IAM strategies and advanced access governance. 

• Strong understanding of regulatory standards and the ability to enforce compliant IAM policies. 

• Experience in managing the full lifecycle of digital identities (e.g., provisioning, de-provisioning, role-based access control). 

• Demonstrated success in building metrics and dashboards for assessing IAM performance and program effectiveness. 

• Possesses excellent leadership and mentorship skills. 

• Financial acumen. 

• Demonstrated strong collaboration skills. 

• A CISSP, GIAC, CISM, etc. 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

 

Exceptional candidates for the position of Director, Enterprise Identity and Access Management will also bring the following qualifications or more: 

• Master’s degree in information science or cyber security or related field(s). 

• Experience in higher education, research computing or healthcare environments. 

• Familiarity with non-human identity (NHI) management and secrets lifecycle tools (e.g., HashiCorp, Astrix). 

• Knowledge of ITDR platforms and integration with SOC/SIEM tooling. 

• Relevant cybersecurity certifications, such as CISSP, CISM, or similar. 

 

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability. 

 

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

 

The annual base salary range for this position is $220,358.05 to $268,851.50. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. 

 

To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC’s comprehensive benefits here. 

 

Join the USC cybersecurity team within an environment of innovation and excellence. 

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree In Information Science Or Cyber Security Or in related field(s)

Minimum Certifications: CISSP, GIAC, CISM, etc.
Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 10 years in Identity and Access Management.

Minimum Skills: Proven track record of developing and implementing IAM strategies aligned with Zero Trust and modern identity principles. Expertise in advanced IAM technologies, (e.g., AI-driven access controls, adaptive authentication, and seamless integration with multi-cloud and hybrid environments). Demonstrated experience implementing Zero Trust IAM strategies and advanced access governance. Strong understanding of regulatory standards and the ability to enforce compliant IAM policies. Experience in managing the full lifecycle of digital identities (e.g., provisioning, de-provisioning, role-based access control). Demonstrated success in building metrics and dashboards for assessing IAM performance and program effectiveness. Possesses excellent leadership and mentorship skills. Financial acumen. Demonstrated strong collaboration skills.
Preferred Education: Master's degree In Information Science Or Cyber Security Or in related field(s)

Preferred Certifications: Relevant cybersecurity certifications, such as CISSP, CISM, or similar.

Preferred Skills: Experience in higher education, research computing or healthcare environments. Familiarity with non-human identity (NHI) management and secrets lifecycle tools (e.g., HashiCorp, Astrix). Knowledge of ITDR platforms and integration with SOC/SIEM tooling.

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

• Notice of Non-discrimination
• Employment Equity
• Read USC’s Clery Act Annual Security Report
• USC is a smoke-free environment
• Digital Accessibility

                                                  

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