Head of Identity & Access Management (Permanent – Hybrid – Omaha, NE)

Head of Identity & Access Management (Permanent – Hybrid – Omaha, NE)

We’re partnering with a global leader in the packaged goods industry to find a visionary Head of Identity & Access Management (IAM). This permanent position, based hybrid in Omaha, Nebraska, offers full relocation support for individuals outside the local area. You’ll own the strategic development, roadmap, and operations for IAM across the entire company, playing an essential role in the CISO’s long-term cybersecurity vision. Our client has already invested heavily in cybersecurity, with full support from executive leadership.

This is a unique opportunity for a seasoned professional with prior experience successfully standing up an IAM program from scratch while managing a team of direct reports. An understanding of the manufacturing industry on an international scale is a significant advantage.

What You’ll Be Doing: Orchestrating Global IAM Strategy and Operations

As the Head of Identity & Access Management, you’ll blend strategic leadership with hands-on program development, building and overseeing a comprehensive IAM framework that spans the entire global organization.

• Manage and Lead a Diverse Team: You’ll directly manage a team of 8+ direct reports, serving as a pivotal coach, technical leader, and the public face of the IAM team. This involves guiding their professional development, setting performance expectations, providing mentorship, and ensuring the team operates cohesively and effectively to achieve strategic goals.
• Design, Build, and Lead a Fully Functioning IAM Program from the Ground-Up: This is a foundational role where you’ll design, build, and effectively lead a fully functioning IAM program from the ground-up. This comprehensive initiative includes critical components such as:
  • Identity Governance: Establishing policies and processes for managing the digital identities of all users (employees, vendors, customers) throughout their lifecycle, including user provisioning, de-provisioning, and access reviews.
  • Privileged Access Management (PAM): Implementing solutions and controls to secure, monitor, and manage elevated access privileges for critical systems and data, minimizing the risk of insider threats or advanced attacks.
  • Vendor Access Management: Developing secure frameworks for managing access provided to external vendors and service providers, ensuring strict control and auditing of third-party access to internal systems.
  • SSO (Single Sign-On) Solutions: Driving the adoption and implementation of SSO solutions across the enterprise to enhance user experience, simplify access, and strengthen authentication security.
• Collaborate for Comprehensive Access Security: You’ll collaborate extensively with other technical teams (e.g., Information Security, Security Operations, IT Infrastructure) and non-technical teams (e.g., HR, Legal, Business Units). Your objective is to ensure strong buy-in for IAM initiatives and achieve complete access security for all functions of the business, embedding security into every aspect of operations.
• Drive IAM Strategic Planning and Budget Oversight: You will be instrumental in driving the strategic direction of IAM, constantly evaluating current and emerging technologies. This includes defining the overall budget for the IAM program, justifying investments, and ensuring that technology roadmaps align with both cybersecurity best practices and broader business objectives. Your leadership will shape future IAM capabilities.
• Oversee Relationships with External Vendors and Service Providers: You will actively oversee relationships with external vendors and service providers for IAM solutions. This involves evaluating new tools, negotiating contracts, managing service level agreements (SLAs), and ensuring that vendor performance consistently meets the organization’s high standards for security and service delivery.

Qualifications: Your Foundation for IAM Leadership

To excel as Head of Identity & Access Management, you’ll need extensive experience in information security and IAM, proven leadership in managing direct reports, and a strong understanding of relevant technical domains.

• Extensive Information Security or IAM Experience: You must possess 8+ years of verifiable experience in an Information Security or IAM role. This extensive background demonstrates a seasoned professional with deep practical knowledge of cybersecurity principles and identity and access management practices within an enterprise context.
• Proven Managerial Experience: You are required to have 3+ years of experience as a manager (with direct reports) specifically within IAM or another technology function. This highlights your leadership capabilities in building, developing, and overseeing technical teams to achieve strategic goals.
• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field from an accredited institution is preferred. This academic foundation provides a strong theoretical understanding of computing and security principles.
• Demonstrated Expertise in Key IAM Domains: You must have demonstrated expertise in key IAM domains, including:
  • Identity Governance: Managing user lifecycles, access certifications, and policy enforcement.
  • Access Management: Controlling user access to resources based on roles and policies.
  • Vendor Access Management: Securing and auditing access for external parties.
  • SSO (Single Sign-On) Solutions: Implementing and managing seamless and secure user authentication across multiple applications.
• Technical Engineering Background (Preferred): While not strictly required, prior experience with a technical engineering background in IAM is preferred. This would include hands-on experience in building, configuring, and troubleshooting IAM solutions, providing a deeper understanding of implementation challenges and technical nuances.

Compensation & Benefits: Rewarding Your Leadership and Expertise

This permanent Head of Identity & Access Management role offers a highly competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits designed to attract top-tier talent and support your well-being and financial future.

• Highly Competitive Annual Salary: You will receive a very competitive annual salary, commensurate with your extensive experience and leadership capabilities. This compensation is structured as a base salary plus an annual bonus (15%), directly tying your performance to your overall earnings.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package that includes terrific healthcare coverage (medical, vision, and dental), a robust 401(k) retirement plan, and additional long-term incentives, designed to secure your financial future and provide peace of mind.

Relocation Support & Omaha Highlights: Embrace a Thriving Community

This exceptional opportunity is located at our client’s headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, offering a vibrant community and quality of life.

• Full Relocation Support: For candidates not local to Omaha but interested in this pivotal position, full relocation support is available. This assistance ensures a smooth transition for you and your family to the area.
• Highly Ranked State: Nebraska is highly regarded, ranking #5 on the “Best States” list from U.S. News & World Report.
• Affordable Living & Family-Friendly: Enjoy a low cost of living and an environment that is great for raising a family, providing stability and community support.
• Excellent Public Education: The state is recognized for its strong public education system, listed 7th nationally for its public education system, boasting an impressive 94% high school graduation rate.
• Proximity to Lincoln: Just about an hour away is Lincoln, Nebraska, a bustling college town renowned as the home of the University of Nebraska’s beloved Husker football team, offering additional entertainment and cultural experiences.
• Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene: Omaha itself boasts a terrific arts and culture scene, with a vibrant downtown area featuring numerous museums, theaters, and live music venues, ensuring a rich array of leisure activities.

If you are interested in learning more about this unparalleled opportunity to lead Identity & Access Management for a global leader in the packaged goods industry, please apply directly!