Role; Solutions Architect (Security & IAM) Rate; £600/day Inside IR35 Duration; 2m with an extension due Location; Leeds 1x/month About the Role We are seeking an experienced Solutions Architect with expertise in Security and Identity & Access Management (IAM). This role is pivotal in designing, implementing, and managing secure authentication and access control solutions within the Microsoft ecosystem. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of identity protocols, authentication mechanisms, and governance frameworks. Key Responsibilities: Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of Identity & Access Management (IAM) solutions within the Microsoft technology stack. Develop and enhance security strategies, ensuring alignment with industry best practices and government security standards. Design and implement authentication and authorization solutions leveraging Active Directory (AD), Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), LDAP, and Single Sign-On (SSO). Oversee and optimize access control policies and security configurations to safeguard sensitive information. Ensure compliance with public sector security frameworks, regulatory requirements, and data protection laws. Collaborate with security teams to assess risks, define mitigation strategies, and implement security enhancements. Support incident response teams in investigating and resolving identity and access-related security incidents. Provide technical leadership, guidance, and best practice recommendations to internal teams and stakeholders. Key Skills & Experience: Proven experience as a Solutions Architect with a focus on Security and IAM in enterprise environments. Expertise in Microsoft security technologies, including Active Directory (AD), Entra ID (Azure AD), LDAP, and related IAM tools. Strong knowledge of authentication and authorization protocols such as OAuth, OpenID Connect, SAML, and Kerberos. Hands-on experience with Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions. Familiarity with Zero Trust principles and modern identity security frameworks. Knowledge of public sector security regulations, compliance standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials ), and risk management frameworks. Experience with cloud-based IAM solutions and hybrid identity models integrating on-prem and cloud environments. Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex security concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders. Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect, SC-300 (Identity and Access Administrator), CISSP, or TOGAF are desirable.