Information Technology Operations Lead

About Thales

Thales designs identity management and data protection solutions for digital security. Businesses and governments globally trust Thales to secure billions of digital interactions. Their technologies empower banks, facilitate border crossings, and enhance smart energy systems, with over 30,000 organizations relying on them for identity verification, secure access to digital services, data analysis, and encryption.

Position Summary: Information Technology Operations Lead

Thales is seeking an Information Technology Operations Lead to guide the IT Operations team. This role requires significant technical expertise in Windows System Administration and Identity and Access Management (IAM). You will be responsible for comprehensively managing, supporting, and securing Windows-based infrastructure, alongside overseeing both Mac and Windows laptop environments.

As the leader of a team of system administrators, you will provide daily supervision and crucial technical direction. Your deep knowledge in identity, authentication, authorization, and access control will be vital in ensuring secure and compliant access across diverse systems and applications. This position also plays a key role in supporting modernization efforts, particularly within hybrid and cloud IAM environments.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Manage a team of 3–4 system administrators, offering daily supervision, technical guidance, training, documentation, and support to ensure operational excellence and adherence to IAM best practices.
• Lead the implementation, management, and optimization of Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, including Single Sign-On (SSO), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and Privileged Access Management (PAM). This includes investigating and resolving IAM-related incidents such as unauthorized access or authentication failures.
• Administer, configure, and troubleshoot Windows Server environments (2012/2016/2019/2022). Participate actively in system upgrades, patching, backups, and disaster recovery initiatives.
• Manage and maintain Microsoft Active Directory, Group Policy Objects (GPOs), and related domain services to guarantee secure and efficient authentication processes.
• Monitor and maintain secure user access by provisioning, modifying, and deactivating user and group accounts. Enforce least privilege access principles and ensure compliance with security policies through regular audits of permissions, group memberships, and access logs.
• Collaborate with Security, Compliance, and other IT teams to design and enforce robust access controls and security policies. Automate IAM processes and user lifecycle management effectively using scripting tools such as PowerShell.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 8–12+ years of relevant work experience, or a Master’s degree with 6+ years of experience.
• Proven experience as a Windows System Administrator in large enterprise environments, with strong hands-on expertise in Active Directory, Group Policy, and Windows authentication protocols.
• Solid understanding of Identity and Access Management (IAM) concepts and best practices, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Single Sign-On (SSO), and modern authentication mechanisms.
• Experience with IAM-related tools such as Azure AD, PingOne, Duo, SailPoint, and familiarity with hybrid/cloud IAM environments (e.g., Azure, AWS IAM).
• Scripting and automation experience, preferably using PowerShell, along with exposure to audit and compliance processes related to access controls.
• Familiarity with macOS management software (e.g., Jamf), strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities, excellent communication skills, and relevant certifications like Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals, MCSA, or similar.

Why Join Thales?

Thales offers an extensive benefits program for full-time employees, including health, dental, vision, retirement savings with company contribution and match (no vesting period), company-paid holidays, PTO, life insurance, AD&D, disability, and an Employee Assistance Plan. Thales is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

Key Skills/Competency

• Windows System Administration
• Identity and Access Management IAM
• Active Directory Management
• Group Policy Objects GPO
• PowerShell Scripting
• Azure AD
• Multi-Factor Authentication MFA
• Single Sign-On SSO
• Privileged Access Management PAM
• IT Operations Leadership