Principal Expert

Job Description: Principal Expert - Software Asset Management (SAM)

The Principal Expert- Software Asset Management (SAM) is a subjectmatter expert responsible for driving the SG's Global SAM strategies, ensuring optimal software utilization, cost savings, and compliance. This role blends analytical expertise, deep technical competency in publishers' License matrices, Hypervisors & Cloud Platforms, discovery, normalization and reconciliations, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to implement SAM governance frameworks. The Principal Expert partners with crossfunctional teams, procurement, IT, finance, and vendor management functions to drive measurable improvements in software lifecycle management and optimize software spend.

Key Responsibilities

1. Software Asset Management Strategy & Governance

As an Individual contributor, support the Global Head in designing and enhancing enterprise-wide SAM strategy and operational frameworks.

Oversee longterm SAM strategy aligned with organizational goals and compliance requirements to enhance SAM process maturity across the organization.

Revisit and evolve the existing SAM governance frameworks, and procedures across the software lifecycle.

Conduct maturity assessments and deliver improvement roadmaps.

Manage the governance models, roles, processes, and KPIs for effective SAM operations.

Good hands-on experience managing cloud licensing and FinOps principles.

2. License Management & Optimization

Demonstrated expertise in analysing complex licensing models across major vendors (Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, SAP, VMware, Adobe) to identify compliance risks and deliver costoptimized licensing strategies.

Perform detailed compliance assessments and identify risks related to overdeployment or underlicensing.

Identify spendreduction opportunities through consolidation, usage optimization, and lifecycle governance. Provide optimization recommendations to reduce cost and maximize value.

Deliver insights to global procurement and finance teams to drive commercial negotiation advantage

Partner with IT Ops and CMDB teams globally for tool integrations and to maintain high level of Data Quality.

3. SAM Tools & Technology

Lead the management, configuration, and operation of SAM tools (e.g., Flexera, ServiceNow SAM Pro).

Validate and maintain data accuracy, normalization, and reconciliation processes.

Strong analytical and data management skills (Excel, Power BI, SQL preferred).

Deep understanding of IT environments: servers, cloud (Azure/AWS/GCP), virtualization, containers, SaaS, PaaS, IaaS.

Excellent communication and stakeholdermanagement abilities.

4. Vendor & Contract Management

Support contract negotiations with software publishers to secure optimal commercial terms.

Advise on enterprise license agreements (ELAs), renewals, and TrueUp/TrueDown cycles.

Evaluate vendor proposals and licensing changes for financial and operational impact.

5. Audit & Compliance Management

Manage internal and external software audits, serving as the primary SME.

Prepare audit documentation, license statements, and reconciliation reports.

Mitigate compliance risks through proactive monitoring and remediation plans.

6. Financial & Operational Reporting

Deliver costanalysis reports, forecasting, and budgeting insights related to software spend.

Identify cost savings opportunities through rationalization and lifecycle optimization.

Present datadriven recommendations to senior stakeholders.

7. Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

Act as a SAM subject matter expert to Clevel stakeholders and technical leads.

Mentor junior SAM team members and guide project teams.

Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and executive presentations.

Ensure delivery excellence reviewing outputs and presenting insights to executive leadership.

BE/B.Tech/Diploma/Bsc with minimum with minimum 14 years of experience in Software Asset Management.

Deep understanding of licensing models for major vendors (Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Adobe, etc.).

Deep technical competency in publishers' License matrices, Hypervisors, Containers and Cloud Platforms, discovery, normalization and reconciliations

Proficiency with leading SAM tools (Flexera, ServiceNow).

Strong analytical and problemsolving skills.

Certifications such as CSAM, CAMP (ISO 19770-1 knowledge)