Customer Identity Access Management Lead (Remote Available)

Ameris Bank is a purpose-driven company, dedicated to bringing financial peace of mind to communities, one person at a time. Whether a customer wants to grow their business, buy a home, or feel confident in their retirement plan, they have a partner in Ameris Bank. We serve customers in our locations across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and nationwide through our extensive digital offerings and mobile app.

Delivering financial peace of mind starts with a team that values integrity and rewards ingenuity. At Ameris, you’ll find teammates who are inclusive, collaborative problem-solvers who go the extra mile to support one another and to meet every customer’s needs. When teammates are empowered and bring their diverse perspectives to the table, we create the best possible outcomes for our customers. At Ameris, we know that a growth mindset is key for high performance and fosters an environment that prioritizes continuous improvement. Teammates have access to Employee Resource Groups that serve as advocates and allies as well as professional development opportunities to drive ongoing education. Learn more about our purpose and how you can bring it to life as an Ameris Bank teammate.

The Customer Identity Access Management (IAM) Lead is responsible for overseeing and managing the IAM program focused on customer identity and access management. This role involves developing and implementing IAM strategies, ensuring the security and integrity of client identities, and providing leadership in the integration and operation of IAM solutions. The IAM Lead will work closely with various teams including 3rd party hosted partners to ensure that IAM practices align with organizational goals, compliance requirements, and industry best practices. Performs other projects and duties as assigned.

Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:

·       Customer Identity Access Management Strategy

     ·       Develop and implement a comprehensive IAM strategy tailored to client and customer needs.

     ·       Lead the IAM team, providing guidance, mentorship, and strategic direction.

     ·       Collaborate with senior leadership to align IAM initiatives with broader business objectives and security goals.

     ·       Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of IAM systems, including identity governance, authentication, authorization, and privileged access management.

     ·       Ensure IAM policies and procedures are in place to support secure access to systems, applications, and data for clients and customers.

     ·       Manage strategy and solutioning for the lifecycle of client identities, including provisioning, de-provisioning, and ongoing management.

·       Identity Proofing

     ·       Lead efforts in implementing and managing identity proofing solutions to verify the identity of clients and customers during onboarding and throughout the lifecycle.

     ·       Identify process changes where reverification of identities through identity proofing is required (e.g. email / phone changes).

     ·       Develop and enforce identity proofing protocols that adhere to regulatory standards and industry best practices.

     ·       Continuously evaluate and enhance identity proofing methods, including the use of biometric, document verification, and multi-factor authentication technologies.

     ·       Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to ensure identity proofing practices meet regulatory requirements.

·       Client and Customer Access Management

     ·       Develop and implement processes for managing client and customer access to digital services and applications.

     ·       Ensure that authentication mechanisms, such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), are appropriately integrated and enforced.

     ·       Work with Fraud and Business to identify use cases for step-up authentication on high-risk transactions.

     ·       Work closely with customer-facing teams to ensure that IAM solutions enhance the client experience while maintaining security.

·       Compliance and Risk Management:

     ·       Ensure IAM practices comply with relevant regulations and standards (e.g., GDPR, CCPA).

     ·       Conduct regular IAM risk assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

     ·       Maintain documentation and reporting related to IAM activities to demonstrate compliance.

·       Technology and Innovation:

     ·       Evaluate and select customer IAM technologies and solutions that meet the needs of the organization within phone channels, digital channels, and In-Branch. Work with different business partners to implement.

     ·       Stay current with IAM trends and emerging technologies, such as biometrics, AI-driven identity management, and decentralized identity solutions.

     ·       Lead initiatives to integrate IAM with other security and IT systems, ensuring a cohesive security posture.

·       Incident Response and Problem Resolution:

     ·       Lead the response to customer IAM-related security incidents, including unauthorized access, account takeovers, and identity theft.

     ·       Collaborate with the incident response team and Fraud to analyze incidents, identify root causes, and implement preventive measures.

     ·       Resolve complex IAM issues, providing technical expertise and guidance to the team.

·       Client Engagement and Support:

     ·       Work closely with clients to understand their IAM needs and ensure their requirements are met.

     ·       Provide guidance and support to clients on IAM best practices and solutions.

     ·       Develop and deliver training and awareness programs for clients to enhance their understanding and use of IAM solutions.

·       Collaboration and Stakeholder Management:

     ·       Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including IT, security, and compliance teams, to integrate IAM solutions across the organization.

     ·       Act as a liaison between the organization and external partners, vendors, and regulators on IAM-related matters.

     ·       Engage with industry peers and participate in forums and conferences to stay informed about IAM developments and share best practices.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

·       Experience with Customer Identity providers (IdPs) – e.g. Ping Identity, Okta, ForgeRock

·       In-depth knowledge of IAM technologies, standards, and protocols (e.g., SSO, OAuth, SAML, LDAP, OIDC).

·       Proven experience leading IAM projects and managing IAM solutions.

·       Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and IAM-related compliance.

·       Expertise in identity proofing methods and technologies, Device Fingerprinting, and behavior analytics

·       Expert in authentication platforms for phone, digital apps and branch authentication which includes document verification and biometrics.

·       Experience delivering CIAM Risk-based authentication (RBA) solution to integrate with all channels and Fraud tools.

·       Experience on monitoring against account takeover and account opening identity fraud

·       Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make strategic decisions.

·       Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients, stakeholders, and team members.

Industry and Work Experience:

·       5-10+ years of experience in identity and access management, with a focus on client or customer IAM.

·       Mid-sized or larger banking industry experience preferred.

Academic:

·       High School Diploma or GED required.

·       Bachelor's degree in Information Security, Computer Science or related field.

·       Relevant certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM), or similar.

Benefits Available to Employees:

Ameris Bank provides a comprehensive employee benefit package to all eligible employees.

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Ameris Bank absorbs a major portion of the cost of healthcare. You become eligible for coverage on the first of the month following 30 days of employment
• Life Insurance provided at no additional cost to employees
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage
• Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• 11 Holidays
• Volunteer/Service Day
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Ameris Bank matches 50% of your first 8% of contributions to the plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement
• Supplemental Life & Other Insurance Plans
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Advocacy Program 
• Tickets at Work (Entertainment discounts for Ameris Bank Employees)
• AT&T Employee Discount
• Wellness Discounts for Medical Premiums and Other Rewards 
• Employee Referral Incentive
• Education Assistance
• Employee Resource Groups

Banking Advantages for Employees:

In addition to a wide array of benefits, Ameris Bank employees are also eligible for special bank services.

• Free Interest Checking
• Free Safe Deposit Box
• Free Money Orders, Travelers’ Checks and Cashier Checks
• Discount on Mortgage Origination Fee
• Free Online Banking and Free Unlimited Online Bill Payment
• Employee Banking Perks

Disclaimer:

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.