Manager, IGA and Directory Services

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

 

The Manager, IGA and Directory Services oversees the administration, development, and optimization of identity governance and administration (IGA) and directory services. Leads the technical implementation of identity and access management (IAM) projects. Implements technology driven solutions that ensure secure, compliant, and seamless access for users. Aligns IGA and directory services with broader security frameworks and university needs. Develops and enforces governance policies and technical standards for IGA workflows and directory configurations. Provides training and guidance to engineering staff and resolves complex operational issues. 

 

The Manager, IGA and Directory Services will: 

• Oversees the administration, development, and optimization of IGA and directory services; ensures alignment with university cybersecurity and IT strategies. Oversees and implements the IGA platform; manages identity lifecycles, including provisioning, de-provisioning, and access controls. Ensures IGA-related projects adhere to budgets and delivered in a timely fashion. Leads the technical implementation of IAM-related projects, such as migrations, integrations, or infrastructure upgrades; builds and maintains scalable directory infrastructures.  

• Maintains and optimizes directory services, ensuring scalability and reliability. Implements security measures, such as directory-level hardening and monitoring tools, to mitigate risks and enhance resilience. Configures and monitors secure authentication protocols to support hybrid and cloud environments. Ensures synchronization and federation between on-premise and cloud-based directory infrastructures; supports single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA). 

• Collaborates with IT and cybersecurity teams to align IGA and directory services with broader security frameworks and university needs. Conducts periodic access reviews and assists in risk assessments to address vulnerabilities in IGA and directory systems. Implements security measures (e.g., directory-level hardening and monitoring tools) to mitigate risks and enhance resilience. 

• Supervises IGA and directory services staff. Participates in staff management activities (e.g., hiring, coaching, training, performance reviews, pay actions, promotions). Provides training and technical guidance to engineering staff to improve capabilities and adherence to best practices. Offers recommendations to leadership on security monitoring and incident response strategies based on informed analysis. Resolves complex operational issues, ensuring availability, performance, and security of IGA and directory services.  

• Develops and enforces governance policies and technical standards for IGA workflows and directory configurations to enhance security and efficiency. Automates access reviews, identity audits, and compliance reporting to meet regulatory requirements.  

• 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 Manager, IGA and Directory Services will meet the following qualifications: 

• 7 years in Identity and Access Management. 

• A Bachelor's degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education. 

• One or more relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate or equivalent) 

• Experience in IAM or a related field, with a focus on governance and administration. 

• Proven experience in managing IGA-related projects from inception to completion. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead the development and management of IAM product roadmaps. 

• In-depth knowledge of IAM systems and solutions (e.g., SailPoint, Savyint, Microsoft Entra, Active Directory, Global Directory Services), including design, development, and implementation. 

• In-depth knowledge of identity governance policies, role-based access control, and related compliance requirements. 

• Strong project management skills to oversee the deployment and continuous improvement of IGA systems. 

• Ability to lead incident response protocols and risk assessments related to IGA vulnerabilities. 

• Experience in ensuring the integration of IAM systems with other organizational systems and applications. 

• Proven track record of overseeing the day-to-day operations of IAM systems to ensure optimal performance and security. 

• Ability to develop and enforce identity governance policies and procedures tailored to organizational needs. 

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders. 

• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to build and maintain scalable directory infrastructures, enforce identity governance policies, and align these services with the university's cybersecurity and IT strategies. 

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

 

Exceptional candidates for the position of Manager, IGA and Directory Services will also bring the following qualifications or more: 

• A Bachelor's degree in Information Science or Computer Science or Computer Engineering or in related field(s). 

• 10 years of related experience. 

• Cyber certification (e.g., CISSP, CISM, and product-specific certifications). 

 

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 $164,548.27 to $185,306.86. 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

Minimum Certifications: One or more relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate or equivalent)
Addtional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 7 years in Identity and Access Management.
Addtional Experience Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience
Minimum Skills: Experience in IAM or a related field, with a focus on governance and administration. Proven experience in managing IGA-related projects from inception to completion. Demonstrated ability to lead the development and management of IAM product roadmaps. In-depth knowledge of IAM systems and solutions (e.g., SailPoint, Savyint, Microsoft Entra, Active Directory, Global Directory Services), including design, development, and implementation. In-depth knowledge of identity governance policies, role-based access control, and related compliance requirements. Strong project management skills to oversee the deployment and continuous improvement of IGA systems. Ability to lead incident response protocols and risk assessments related to IGA vulnerabilities. Experience in ensuring the integration of IAM systems with other organizational systems and applications. Proven track record of overseeing the day-to-day operations of IAM systems to ensure optimal performance and security. Ability to develop and enforce identity governance policies and procedures tailored to organizational needs. Excellent collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with various teams and stakeholders. Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to build and maintain scalable directory infrastructures, enforce identity governance policies, and align these services with the university's cybersecurity and IT strategies.
Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree In Computer Science Or Computer Engineering Or in related field(s)

Preferred Certifications: Cyber certification (e.g., CISSP, CISM, and product-specific certifications)
Preferred Experience: 10 years

                                                  

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.

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