Director, Identity and Access Management

Rice University • Houston, TX

7h • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in the Office of Information Technology (OIT), the Director of Identity and Access Management (IAM) serves as the principal strategist for the University’s identity ecosystem. This role will lead the continued transition to a modern identity environment that seamlessly connects our diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the resources they need.

This role works with the CISO, peer leaders in the Information Security Office (ISO), campus stakeholders, and peers in OIT on the design and implementation of a frictionless, secure, and automated identity lifecycle. The Director leads a high-performing team, consults with campus leadership to align technical solutions with institutional goals, and defines the multi-year roadmap for identity governance, access management, and privilege control.

The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in Identity Governance & Administration (IGA) platforms and methodologies, including “Identity First”; has demonstrated proficiency integrating core services, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and collaboration suites; and has experience automating “Joiner, Mover, Leaver” lifecycle processing and implementing true Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience,, above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in Information Technology, with at least 5 years specifically in Identity and Access Management
• In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• Expertise in Identity Governance & Administration (IGA), Access Management (AM), Privileged Access Management (PAM), Separation of Duties (SoD) controls, and Directory Services.
• Experience with integrations into enterprise ERP/HCM systems (Oracle Cloud preferred), Student Information Systems (Ellucian Banner preferred), and major directory/collaboration platforms (Active Directory, Azure AD/Entra ID, Google Workspace)
• Experience leading and managing high-performing, technically adept knowledge experts delivering 24x7 critical organizational infrastructure
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical risks and opportunities to non-technical executive stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills to build partnerships across stakeholder organizations, both within and external to the IT organization

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree
• Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in Information Technology, with at least 5 years specifically in Identity and Access Management
• 3–5 years of leadership experience managing technical teams, with a proven track record of staff development and strategic planning
• Strong knowledge of identity standards (SAML 2.0, OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, SCIM, LDAP, CAS, Shibboleth)
• Familiarity with NIST SP 800-63, NIST SP 800-171, Zero Trust architecture, and regulatory frameworks relevant to higher education (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, PCI-DSS)
• Proven ability to lead organizational change, navigating resistance and building consensus for new policies (e.g., enforcing MFA, removing standing access, building identity governance structures)
• Experience with performance management and talent acquisition, including writing job descriptions, hiring staff, setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, and evaluating performance

Responsibilities

• Define, maintain, and execute a comprehensive multi-year IAM strategy and roadmap that directly supports the University’s “Momentous” strategic plan
• Align IAM initiatives with business drivers such as enabling research, supporting student success, and enhancing operational efficiency
• Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of IAM architects, system administrators, and analysts
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, continuous learning, and customer-centric service. Encourage discourse by providing intentional psychological safety
• Serve as a trusted consultant to OIT leadership, campus administrative heads, Deans, and data stewards
• Manage stakeholder engagement through ongoing conversations and collaborations. Translate complex identity challenges into business terms, advocating for solutions that balance security, user experience, and cost
• Manage constituent satisfaction through meaningful surveys and measurable improvements
• Work with the CISO on managing departmental budget expenditures and planning for future needs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level