Product Owner (IAM)

We are recruiting on behalf of a client for a temporary contract opportunity for an experienced Product Owner (Identity & Access Management) to support delivery across sensitive defence and aerospace programmes.

Key Requirements
Active SC Clearance (essential) – must be in place prior to start
Sole UK Nationality required
Eligibility to work on-site in Reading
Proven experience within UK defence, MOD, or aerospace environments
Strong IAM product ownership or delivery backgroundRole Overview

You will own the IAM product strategy, roadmap, and delivery, working closely with stakeholders to translate business needs into secure, scalable identity solutions. This includes managing the product backlog, leading delivery teams, and ensuring compliance with security and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities
Define and deliver the IAM product vision and roadmap
Collaborate with stakeholders to gather and refine requirements
Manage backlog, priorities, and product performance
Ensure security, compliance, and risk management
Act as the voice of the customer and key escalation point
Support cross-functional teams including architecture and deliverySkills & Experience Essential

Comprehensive experience managing IT delivery end-to-end (requirements through to release), ideally with 5+ years’ experience
Strong understanding of IAM concepts, technologies, and protocols (e.g. SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect, LDAP)
Hands-on experience with IAM platforms (e.g. Okta, Azure AD, Ping Identity, ForgeRock)
Proven ability to build and manage relationships with senior stakeholders, translating business needs into technical solutions
Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex technical/security concepts to non-technical audiences
Excellent analytical skills with experience defining complex product use cases and value
Experience with identity governance tools (e.g. SailPoint, Saviynt)
Formal line management experience, ideally within medium-sized IT delivery teams
Ability to align IAM initiatives with wider business goals and market trends
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to respond quickly to challenges
High ethical standards when handling sensitive or confidential information
Strong written and verbal English communication skillsDesirable

Practical experience with Agile methodologies (e.g. Scrum), including coaching or upskilling teams
Understanding of product performance metrics (e.g. defect rate, downtime, velocity) and how to improve them
Experience evaluating contractors and suppliers within the Software Development Lifecycle