Software Asset Management (SAM) Lead

DNV Germany Holding GmbH; Pune District; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 4,500,000; Full time

Job summary

DNV Germany Holding GmbH is seeking an experienced Head of Section – SAM to establish and scale a global Software Asset Management function with enterprise-wide impact. You will own the SAM operating model, governance, and KPI framework, while building a permanent team and transitioning from a contractor-led setup.

With executive sponsorship, you will shape strategy, ensure audit readiness, and drive data quality across tools and processes.

Qualifications

• Experience leading SAM or software asset management functions.
• Strong governance and compliance capabilities.
• Ability to partner with Business Areas and IT leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own the SAM function end-to-end – strategy, roadmap, KPI framework, governance, and reporting to GSS IT leadership and the SAM SteerCo.
• Build and lead the permanent SAM team and transition knowledge from contractor-led setup.
• Run the Managed / Co-Managed / Governed operating model by risk and strategic importance.
• Deliver Phase 2 of the SAM project – broader vendor coverage, optimization, and maturity uplift.
• Ensure audit readiness and compliance with ELP methodology and audit playbooks.
• Drive data quality and tooling for a single source of truth for software assets.
• Govern the software lifecycle in MyGSS and the VerIT Store with Digital Workplace collaboration.
• Enable cross-functional governance with relevant stakeholders across IT and Business Areas.
• Optimize cost and risk through license optimization and negotiation strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance

Audit readiness

Vendor management

Cost optimization

Job description

Build a global capability. Shape the future of software governance at DNV.

DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through our broad experience and deep expertise, we advance safety and sustainable performance, set industry standards, and inspire and invent solutions.

Global Shared Services IT (GSS IT) delivers secure, modern, and cost-efficient IT services to all of DNV. As part of our enterprise software governance ambition, we have established a centralized Software Asset Management (SAM) function to govern how software is acquired, used, managed, and optimized across the company.

The opportunity:

This is not a role where you simply maintain an established function.

This is an opportunity to shape and scale one.

We are looking for an experienced Head of Section - SAM Lead to take ownership of our newly established global Software Asset Management function and develop it into a permanent, high-performing capability with enterprise-wide impact.

Today, the SAM function operates as a contractor-led organization reporting directly to the GSS IT Director. Your mission will be to transform this foundation into a sustainable, employee-led function that becomes DNV's central authority for software governance, licensing, compliance, optimization, and asset intelligence.

With strong executive sponsorship and visibility across all Business Areas, you will shape the strategy, operating model, governance structure, and team while influencing decisions that impact software investments, risk management, compliance, and cybersecurity across DNV.

As Head of Section – SAM, you will own the SAM operating model, governance, KPIs, audit readiness, and stakeholder alignment across GSS IT and DNV's Business Areas.

Specifically, you will:

• Own the SAM function end-to-end – strategy, roadmap, KPI framework, governance, and reporting to GSS IT leadership and the SAM SteerCo.
• Build and lead the permanent team – recruit, onboard, and develop the SAM core team (SAM Operations & Tooling Responsible, SAM Licensing Specialist), and transition knowledge from the current contractor-led setup to a permanent organisation.
• Run the Managed / Co-Managed / Governed operating model – allocate operational responsibility by risk, complexity, spend, and strategic importance across DNV's software estate.
• Deliver Phase 2 of the SAM project – expand scope beyond Phase 1 (launched 1 April 2026), including broader vendor coverage, optimization, and maturity uplift throughout 2026.
• Ensure audit readiness and compliance – establish Effective License Position (ELP) methodology, audit defence playbooks, and a robust vendor compliance posture for major vendors.
• Drive data quality and tooling – ensure Snow Atlas, discovery, inventory, and integrations deliver a reliable single source of truth for software assets.
• Govern the software lifecycle in MyGSS and the VerIT Store – partner closely with Digital Workplace on software intake, fulfilment, renewals, and retirement, ensuring a seamless and secure user experience.
• Enable cross-functional governance – establish and run a standing SAM Governance Board with Digital Workplace, Cloud Infrastructure, EA/D&A/Security, RemProc (Procurement), Finance, and BA representation.
• Optimize cost and risk – identify license optimization opportunities, support renewal and negotiation strategies, and reduce shadow IT in collaboration with Security.
• Be the face of SAM in DNV – build trust and credibility with BAs, GSS IT Heads of Group, Procurement, and senior stakeholders, and represent SAM externally with vendors and auditors.