Job title: Identity & Access Management – Authentication Services Product Owner
Corporate Title: Vice President
Division: Information Technology
Department: Group Platform Services and Engineering
Location: London, UK (Hybrid)
Company overview
Nomura is a financial services group with an integrated global network. By connecting markets East & West, we service the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through our four business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking) and Banking.
Driven by the insights of some 28,000 people worldwide, we put our clients at the centre of everything we do, delivering unparalleled access to, from and within Asia. For further information about Nomura, visit
Role/Department Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Authentication Services and Directory Services Product Owner to lead the strategic development and management of our comprehensive enterprise identity infrastructure. This role will drive the product roadmap for both authentication services and directory services, including Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Active Directory, LDAP, Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Microsoft Authenticator implementations across hybrid and cloud environments. The Product Owner will work closely with a dedicated Technical Lead who provides deep technical expertise and architectural guidance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Product Strategy & Vision
- Define and execute integrated product strategy for authentication services and directory infrastructure
- Develop comprehensive roadmaps that align directory services with authentication and identity management solutions
- Drive modernization initiatives from legacy directory services to cloud-first identity platforms
- Establish enterprise-wide identity and directory service standards and governance frameworks
- Align directory and authentication services with business objectives, security requirements, and digital transformation goals
- Directory Services Leadership
- Own the strategic direction for enterprise directory services architecture and evolution
- Partner with Technical Lead to translate business requirements into technical directory service solutions
- Drive directory modernization projects including cloud migration and hybrid identity scenarios
- Drive directory service standards and data governance policies
- Lead directory consolidation, cleanup, and decommissioning projects to reduce technical debt
- Authentication Services Management
- Drive enterprise authentication strategy including passwordless and modern authentication adoption
- Collaborate with Tech Lead on Entra ID implementation strategy including conditional access and identity governance
- Manage SSO strategy and implementation across enterprise applications and cloud services
- Lead MFA deployment strategies and Microsoft Authenticator rollout initiatives
- Define authentication business requirements and success criteria for technical implementation
- Business & Strategic Focus
- Work with Tech Lead to ensure technical feasibility of product roadmap initiatives
- Translate complex technical solutions into business value propositions and ROI analysis
- Coordinate cross-platform identity federation requirements with technical implementation details
- Drive business case development for identity infrastructure investments and modernization projects
- Manage vendor relationships and contract negotiations while leveraging Tech Lead's technical evaluation
- Stakeholder Management & Governance
- Collaborate with IT security, infrastructure, application development, and business teams
- Partner with business units to understand directory and authentication requirements
- Work closely with Microsoft and other vendors on product roadmaps and strategic initiatives
- Present product updates, ROI analysis, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership
- Establish identity governance committees and change management processes
- Product Development & Operations
- Manage integrated product backlog for directory services and authentication initiatives
- Define user stories, acceptance criteria, and business success metrics for identity projects
- Partner with Tech Lead to ensure technical requirements are properly captured and prioritized
- Drive automation initiatives for directory maintenance, user lifecycle, and access management
- Coordinate capacity planning and business continuity requirements with technical implementation
- Performance & Business Outcomes
- Establish KPIs and business metrics for directory services and authentication platform success
- Monitor business impact of identity infrastructure including user productivity and security posture
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives based on business outcomes and user feedback
- Manage stakeholder communication during incidents while Tech Lead handles technical resolution
- Oversee budget management and cost optimization for identity services
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure directory services and authentication solutions meet regulatory and compliance requirements
- Collaborate with security and legal teams on identity-related risk assessments
- Drive implementation of governance policies and business process improvements
- Manage audit coordination, compliance reporting, and regulatory documentation
- Oversee business aspects of privileged access management and administrative delegation models
Skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Considerable experience across Identity and Access Management disciplines, including a focus on Authentication solutions.
- Previous experience operating as a Product Owner, driving a backlog of prioritized work.
- Proven experience in working with financial institutions, understanding regulatory compliance, and security requirements.
- Strong knowledge of identity protocols (e.g., SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect) and enterprise security frameworks.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CISA are highly desirable.
Nomura Leadership Behaviours
- Explore Insights & Vision: Identify the underlying causes of problems faced by you or your team and define a clear vision and direction for the future.
- Making Strategic Decisions: Evaluate all the options for resolving the problems and effectively prioritize actions or recommendations.
- Inspire Entrepreneurship in People: Inspire team members through effective communication of ideas and motivate them to actively enhance productivity.
- Elevate Organizational Capability: Engage proactively in professional development and enhance team productivity through the promotion of knowledge sharing.
- Inclusion: Respect DEI, foster a culture of inclusion and psychological safety in the workplace and cultivate a "Risk Culture" (Challenge, Escalate and Respect).
Right to Work
The UK Government have taken steps to reduce net migration to the UK by limiting the number of overseas workers coming to the UK for employment. Please note that whilst we are able to consider applications from overseas workers from outside the UK (who require a Tier 2 Skilled Worker visa) we can only employ them if we can provide evidence that this is a genuine vacancy for a qualified role.
Diversity & Inclusion
Nomura is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to ensuring we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We welcome all applications and do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender identity and gender expression, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments due to a disability or long-term health condition, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Nomura is an Equal Opportunity Employer