Technical Program Manager – Enterprise Cybersecurity (IAM)
Cognizant· enterprise· IT Services· Oct 25, 2026 · 1d ago
Palo Alto, California, United States
Hybrid
Full-time
Staff
$147K–$218K
8+ years exp
Job description
Practice - CIS - Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services
About Cloud Infrastructure & Security Services: Cognizant’s Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services Practice (CIS), is all about embracing digital transformation by driving core modernization holistically across layers. We help customers transform infrastructure and workplace to meet the rapidly evolving needs of the digital era. Our holistic approach delivers key results for our customers by achieving cloud driven modernization and workplace and operational transformation to run the business in a secure environment.
Job Summary
We are seeking an Information Security Specialist to support the Workforce Identity and Access Management (WIAM) team with a focus on Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Segregation of Duties (SoD) governance. This role will be responsible for enhancing the organization’s IAM security posture through the design, implementation, and maintenance of access governance controls, SoD policies, and risk management processes. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in IAM governance, compliance, access controls, and risk reporting, along with the ability to partner effectively with business, technology, audit, and security stakeholders.
In this role, you will:
· Lead the enterprise IAM roadmap and multi-phase migration from Microsoft Entra ID to Okta, covering planning, dependencies, implementation, adoption, and operational transition.
· Drive enterprise identity capabilities including SSO, SAML/OIDC federation, SCIM provisioning, identity lifecycle management, and Identity Governance and Administration.
· Partner with IAM architects, security engineers, application teams, infrastructure groups, and business stakeholders to define technical requirements and implementation plans.
· Establish program governance, delivery roadmaps, milestones, KPIs, RAID logs, decision forums, and executive-level reporting across IAM workstreams.
· Coordinate implementation partners, system integrators, vendors, and internal engineering teams while ensuring accountability for quality, timelines, and outcomes.
· Identify and manage complex technical dependencies, security risks, organizational constraints, migration blockers, and readiness requirements.
· Lead stakeholder alignment and influence technical and business decisions across teams without direct reporting authority.
· Support governance for human and non-human identities, including service accounts, workload identities, privileged access, and secrets management.
· Expand program leadership into broader cybersecurity initiatives, including GRC, Security Operations, Vendor Risk, Security Awareness, and enterprise security transformation.
· Translate complex IAM and cybersecurity topics into clear recommendations, decisions, and status updates for executive audiences.
What you need to have to be considered
· 8+ years of experience leading complex technical programs, including at least 3 years managing enterprise IAM or cybersecurity initiatives.
· Proven experience leading enterprise Okta implementations, migrations, or modernization programs, ideally involving a transition from Microsoft Entra ID.
· Strong knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, SSO, SAML, OIDC, SCIM, Joiner-Mover-Leaver processes, and identity governance.
· Experience coordinating multiple engineering organizations, security teams, implementation partners, and system integrators in enterprise environments.
· Strong program governance expertise, including roadmap development, dependency management, risk mitigation, milestone tracking, and executive reporting.
· Understanding of non-human identity governance, service accounts, workload identities, privileged access, and secrets management platforms such as CyberArk, HashiCorp Vault, or 1Password.
· Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks and standards such as ISO 27001, NIST CSF, NIST 800-53, and TISAX is preferred.
· Experience in automotive, financial services, or another highly regulated industry, including enterprise joint ventures, is desirable.
· Strong working knowledge of Jira and Confluence, along with Agile, Waterfall, and hybrid program delivery practices.
· Excellent executive communication, stakeholder management, leadership, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority.
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Applications will be accepted until 30 Oct 2026.
Salary and Other Compensation:
The annual salary for this position is between $[160,000 - 185,000] depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.
Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:
· Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
· Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
· 401(k) plan and contributions
· Long-term/Short-term Disability
· Paid Parental Leave
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Applicants for US based positions must be currently authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The company is unable to provide employment-based immigration sponsorship for US based positions.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email CareersNA2@cognizant.com for roles based in the Americas or CareersIndia2@cognizant.com for roles based in India.
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401(K)
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave