Software Asset Management (SAM) Lead

DNV; Oslo; On-site; NOK 1,100,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

DNV is seeking a Head of Section – SAM Lead to establish and own a new, enterprise-wide Software Asset Management function within Global Shared Services IT. You will shape strategy, governance, and a permanent team, delivering phase two expansion and an integrated governance framework across IT, Procurement, Finance, and Security.

You will lead a global, cross-functional effort with executive sponsorship, driving license optimization, audit readiness, and cost control while ensuring secure

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Software Asset Management and IT Asset Management, incl. build-up of a SAM/ITAM function.
• Proven people leadership at Head of Section level, ideally with global teams.
• Understanding of licensing models and audit/compliance for major vendors.
• Experience with SAM tooling such as Snow Atlas, ServiceNow SAM, Flexera.
• Strong governance and stakeholder management across IT, Procurement, Finance, Security.
• Commercial acumen: contracts, renewals, and total cost of ownership.
• Excellent English communication at executive level.

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 team – recruit, onboard, and develop the SAM core team, and transition knowledge 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 with broader vendor coverage, optimization, and maturity uplift throughout 2026.
• Ensure audit readiness and compliance – establish ELP methodology, audit defence playbooks, and 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 with Digital Workplace on software intake, fulfilment, renewals, and retirement.
• Enable cross-functional governance – establish and run a SAM Governance Board with Digital Workplace, Cloud, EA/DA/Security, RemProc, Finance, and BA.

Skills

Leadership

Governance

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Commercial acumen

Tools

Snow Atlas

ServiceNow SAM

Flexera

Job description

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 new centralized Software Asset Management (SAM) function that governs how software is acquired, used, and managed across DNV — to improve compliance, reduce cost, and strengthen IT security.

The opportunity

We are now looking for a Head of Section – SAM Lead to take ownership of this newly established function and shape it into a permanent, employee-led capability. Today the SAM function is run by an interim, contractor-based core team and operates as a temporary unit reporting directly to the GSS IT Director. Your mission will be to take it from start‑up to a mature, enterprise-wide control tower for software — and to be the leader who anchors it permanently within a GSS IT Head of Group area. This is a unique opportunity to build a global function from the ground up — combining strategy, governance, operations, vendor management, and data and tooling — with strong executive sponsorship and a clear mandate across all of DNV.

What you will do

• 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.

What We Offer

• A highly visible Head of Section role with a clear enterprise mandate and direct access to GSS IT leadership.
• The opportunity to shape and lead a strategic new function from day one.
• A global, diverse, and professional environment with strong development opportunities.
• Competitive compensation and benefits, aligned with DNV's local market practice in Norway and India.
• A purpose-driven organization committed to safeguarding life, property, and the environment.

DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age or political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to our culture and we invite you to be part of this diversity.

About you

We are looking for a builder, operator, and people leader — someone who combines strategic thinking with a strong delivery mindset and the ability to lead through influence in a complex, global organisation.

Must-have qualifications

• Significant experience in Software Asset Management, IT Asset Management, software licensing, or IT vendor and commercial management — ideally including the build-up of a SAM/ITAM function.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience at Head of Section level or equivalent, ideally leading globally distributed teams.
• Proven understanding of licensing models and audit and compliance management for major software vendors (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, Adobe).
• Experience working with SAM tooling (Snow Atlas, ServiceNow SAM, Flexera, or similar) and the data foundations behind it (discovery, normalization, CMDB integration).
• Strong governance and stakeholder management capabilities, with a track record of working across IT, Procurement, Finance, Security, and business stakeholders.
• Solid commercial acumen – understanding of contracts, ELPs, renewals, and total cost of ownership.
• Excellent communication skills in English; ability to communicate clearly at executive level.

Nice to have

• Industry certifications such as IAITAM (CSAM/CITAM), ITIL, or equivalent.
• Experience leading a global function across multiple regions and time zones.
• Experience with FinOps, SaaS governance, or shadow IT detection.
• Experience operating in a regulated environment or under frameworks such as NIS2, ISO 27001, or similar.
• A pragmatic builder who thrives in early-stage, ambiguous environments.
• Strong ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
• Comfortable making decisions and defending them with data.
• Collaborative, trust-building, and able to lead through influence across GSS IT and BAs.
• Curious, structured, and continuously improving.

Personal qualities

• A pragmatic builder who thrives in early-stage, ambiguous environments.
• Strong ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
• Comfortable making decisions and defending them with data.
• Collaborative, trust-building, and able to lead through influence across GSS IT and BAs.
• Curious, structured, and continuously improving.

Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country-specific laws and practices.

As the internal support organization for DNV and DNV owned companies, we deliver shared services within Human Resources, Finance, IT and Real Estate & Procurement to DNV globally. Our mission is to enable DNV to grow, succeed with its business goals and improve competitiveness. Customer experience is at the core of everything we do. GSS is responsible for many of the tools, processes and daily routines that create the backbone of DNV.

Job Info

• Job Identification 7175
• Job Category Manager
• Posting Date 07/23/2026, 07:33 AM
• Locations Oslo, Norway Pune, India