Azure Identity Specialist

The Azure / Identity Specialist will be responsible for delivering and supporting technical solutions across critical national infrastructure services, with a focus on Microsoft, Identity, Privileged Access and Security technologies. The successful candidate will collaborate with architecture and IT operations teams, third-party providers, and stakeholders to ensure the effective delivery, governance, and continuous improvement of cloud and identity services in alignment with organisational strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical delivery and operational support for Active Directory, Azure, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, and other Microsoft 365 applications and services.
• Support the deployment and management of SailPoint ISC, CyberArk, and Microsoft Sentinel in security operations.
• Drive the implementation and optimisation of Azure services, in line with the organisation's cloud strategy and support product and project lifecycles.
• Support outsourced end-user compute platform support, maintaining governance and ensuring technical standards are met.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of feature upgrades and service retirements, adhering to Microsoft's Evergreen strategy.
• Collaborate on the implementation of new Microsoft products and services, including Intune, Configuration Manager, Defender suite, Purview, and eDLP.
• Lead initiatives to consolidate identity management platforms, ensuring robust governance and operational excellence.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Extensive operational knowledge of Active Directory services (DNS, DHCP, PKI, Entra Connect, OU, GPOs, multi-domain & Multi forest environments).
• In-depth experience with Hybrid Azure (Entra ID, Enterprise Applications, Resource Groups, RBAC, Conditional Access, Log Analytics, Azure Rights Management).
• Proficiency in Intune configuration management, including MDM, MAM, policy, endpoint, and security features.
• Ability to contribute to the development and delivery of technical standards in collaboration with the architecture team.
• PowerShell scripting skills are desirable.
• Strong understanding of upgrade and patching governance.
• Adaptability and technical literacy across diverse systems and scenarios, providing expert guidance to stakeholders organisation-wide.

Desirable Skills

• Operational expertise in Microsoft security products (Endpoint, Identity, Cloud, Office 365), with experience in Purview and Sentinel advantageous.
• Experience with server hosting on Amazon Web Services.
• Familiarity with identity management and governance platforms
• Knowledge of end-user compute environments and related technologies.
• Experience with privileged access management and identity governance tooling namely SailPoint ISC and CyberArk Cloud
• Solid grasp of network technologies.

Professional Attributes

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar role, with strong Microsoft 365 expertise.
• Proactive approach to complex problem-solving and providing guidance to support teams.
• Methodical organisation of workloads and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Support scheduled annual activities, e.g. Penetration tests, internal auditing etc.
• Commitment to building effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, delivering customer-focused, first-class service.
• Demonstrate the confidence and expertise to constructively challenge technical decisions, articulating well-founded technical viewpoints and engaging in robust discussions to ensure optimal outcomes, while maintaining professionalism and respect for differing perspectives.