Identity Change Lead - #1774947

From our earliest days in 1824 to the present day, the University of Manchester values knowledge, wisdom, humanity, academic freedom, courage, and pioneering spirit guide everything we do. We are a global leader in research and education, with social impact, inclusivity and freedom of expression at our core.

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Introduction:

The University of Manchester is seeking an Identity Change Lead to join our Identity and Access Management (IDAM) Team. This pivotal role ensures that our systems reflect the diverse identities of our staff and students, supporting a person-centric approach across our digital ecosystem.

In a university setting, true learning flourishes only when every individual can bring their whole selves to the conversation.

Our digital platforms must recognise and respect the dynamic, multifaceted nature of identity.

Our role is to maintain a secure, responsive environment where people feel seen, respected, and empowered. We must ensure that our digital systems honour the dignity and authenticity of each member of our community.

As Identity Change Lead you will directly support the well-being and agency of thousands of staff, students, researchers, and visitors, reinforcing our promise that every voice matters at Manchester.

About the Role: Making Identity Personal, Secure & Inclusive

Imagine a student logging into their portal and seeing their chosen name and pronouns reflected everywhere they look; a staff member changing their surname after marriage and knowing every system - from payroll to the library - updates seamlessly.

That sense of “I belong” is powered by the work you’ll lead.

The Identity Change Lead will work closely with colleagues across IDAM, Architecture, People Services, Student Support, and the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Directorate to understand where and how identity data flows, and to improve processes that impact data integrity and user experience.

By shaping inclusive policies, advising on sensitive change requests, and leading data governance efforts, you will help create a secure, welcoming digital environment, whilst exploring opportunities to enhance workflows with automation and AI, ensuring our identity services remain cutting-edge, compliant, and user-centred.

This role isn’t just about code or data models, but human dignity, social justice, and academic freedom – values that the University of Manchester lives by. By ensuring our identity processes are compassionate, compliant, and carefully designed, you will help foster an environment where innovation and belonging go hand in hand.

What You’ll Do

As Identity Change Lead you will guide the development and ongoing improvement of identity change workflows so they are respectful, efficient, and adaptable to a wide range of needs.

You will serve as a trusted point of contact for all identity change requests, particularly supporting our LGBTQ+, international communities, and other historically marginalised groups, by ensuring each person’s request is handled with empathy, sensitivity, confidentiality, and accuracy.

As a cross-functional collaborator, you will partner with our People Services, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Student & Academic Services, and other stakeholder groups to co-design policies and processes that reflect our commitment to dignity, privacy, and data protection (GDPR, Equality Act 2010, etc.).

You will actively listen to and incorporate feedback from staff, students, researchers, and external partners to ensure our systems truly serve their needs, whether adjusting to life events, academic progress, or shifts in personal identity.

Our Identity Change Lead will help develop clear, inclusive identity data models that capture how personal attributes move through our Digital Workplaces and IT landscape.

You will identify potential barriers, whether technical or procedural and propose solutions that reduce friction for all users, including those with diverse linguistic, cultural, or accessibility requirements, whilst remaining empathetic and always with the goal of reducing manual steps and improving reliability for users.

Your expert guidance will be utilised on IT projects that impact identity data, ensuring that design decisions uphold dignity, security, and user autonomy. You will explore ways to leverage automation, AI, and modern identity governance (Zero Trust, IGA principles) in an ethical, inclusive manner.

What We’re Looking For

We want to work with someone who understands that behind every data field is a real person with a unique story. If you’re driven by compassion, curiosity, and a desire to make systems more accessible and inclusive, you’ll thrive in this role.

• Proven experience in business analysis and data flow mapping within complex IT environments.


• Strong understanding of Identity and Access Management (IDAM) and identity lifecycle processes.


• Empathetic Communicator: You can explain complex data flows and legal requirements in plain language, making sure everyone feels heard and respected.


• Collaborative Mindset: You value diverse perspectives and actively seek input from student groups, staff networks, and community organisations (e.g., LGBTQ+ societies, faith and cultural groups, disability support services) uniting stakeholders around shared goals of inclusion and data integrity.


• Adaptive Problem-Solver: You’re comfortable mapping and refining processes in a complex IT environment which balances legacy systems with cutting-edge solutions, always putting the user experience first.


• Data & Privacy Guardian: You have a solid understanding of GDPR, the Equality Act 2010, and related standards whilst remain curious about emerging identity governance approaches (Zero Trust, IGA, digital wallets, etc.) and how they can benefit our diverse community.


• Inclusive Change Agent: You lead with humility and a willingness to learn, adapting processes based on real user feedback and evolving community needs.


• You take pride in mentoring colleagues and sharing insights, helping build a culture where every team member feels empowered to champion inclusion.

Desirable (But Not Essential):

• Certifications such as ITIL v4, CIAM, CIST, or CIGE particularly if you’ve used them to drive inclusive design.


• Familiarity with identity governance tools, accessibility standards, and analytics platforms (e.g., Power BI) to identify and remove potential barriers.


• Experience within higher education or public sector settings where you’ve navigated similar complexities and supported diverse populations.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we are unfortunately not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

• Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.