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