Principal, Software Asset Management Enterprise Lead

Epsilon; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 116,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time off

Parental leave

Health coverage

Job summary

Epsilon is seeking a Principal, Software Asset Management Enterprise Lead to shape the global SAM program and licensing strategy across the organization. You will collaborate with IT, Legal, and Finance leadership to minimize risk and optimize software investments.

You will define the roadmap for a best‑in‑class SAM program, lead a high‑performing team, and drive compliance, governance, and cost optimization across on‑premise and cloud environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, business administration, or related field (master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software asset management, IT procurement, or IT governance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Experience managing complex licensing environments across on-premise and cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP, SaaS).
• Knowledge of software licensing models (Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, IBM, SAP, SaaS, Salesforce).
• Proven success managing software audits, vendor negotiations, and enterprise-level compliance programs.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret licensing agreements and usage data.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of measurable business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the enterprise strategy for SAM and license compliance across all business units and geographies.
• Establish governance frameworks, policies, and controls to ensure consistent SAM practices.
• Provide executive-level reporting and insights into software expenditure, compliance risks, and optimization opportunities.
• Lead the end-to-end software lifecycle management process: procurement, deployment, usage, optimization, renewal, and retirement.
• Oversee SAM tools and technologies (e.g., Snow, Flexera, ServiceNow) to enable automation, reporting, and compliance tracking.
• Implement cost optimization initiatives, including contract negotiations, license consolidation, and cloud subscription management.
• Ensure compliance with software licensing terms, vendor agreements, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Proactively manage vendor relationships and prepare for/lead external audits and internal reviews.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to unauthorized software use, license shortfalls, or non-compliance.
• Partner with IT, procurement, finance, legal, and business stakeholders to align SAM strategies with organizational objectives.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for software licensing, compliance standards, and industry best practices.
• Drive organizational awareness and training programs around software usage policies and compliance obligations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing SAM and compliance team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the department.
• Promote innovation in processes and tools to improve software visibility and compliance monitoring.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Software asset management

Licensing compliance

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Executive reporting

Audits

Education

Bachelor's degree in information technology, business administration, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Snow

Flexera

ServiceNow

Job description

Overview

See how Epsilon powers connected marketing by unlocking the full potential of data and identity.

How You’ll Make An Impact

The Principal, Software Asset Management Enterprise Lead plays a pivotal leadership role in shaping the enterprise-wide strategy for software asset management (SAM), licensing, and compliance across Epsilon. This role will report to the Vice President of Asset Management Services and collaborate with other leaders in the Epsilon Business Office. This position will lead initiatives that safeguard the organization from compliance risk, drive optimization of multimillion-dollar software investments, and ensure that licensing and asset management practices align with evolving business, legal, and technology objectives. This is more than a compliance role — it’s a strategic leadership opportunity with enterprise-wide visibility and influence. As Principal, you will define the roadmap for a best-in‑class Software Asset Management program that operates on a global scale. You will have the opportunity to engage with senior executives across IT, Legal, and Finance, positioning yourself as the organization’s licensing authority.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Achieve

• Develop and execute the enterprise strategy for software asset management and license compliance across all business units and geographies.
• Establish governance frameworks, policies, and controls to ensure consistent SAM practices.
• Provide executive-level reporting and insights into software expenditure, compliance risks, and optimization opportunities.
• Lead the end-to-end software lifecycle management process: procurement, deployment, usage, optimization, renewal, and retirement.
• Oversee SAM tools and technologies (e.g., Snow, Flexera, ServiceNow, etc.) to enable automation, reporting, and compliance tracking.
• Implement cost optimization initiatives, including contract negotiations, license consolidation, and cloud subscription management.
• Ensure compliance with software licensing terms, vendor agreements, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Proactively manage vendor relationships and prepare for/lead external audits and internal reviews.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to unauthorized software use, license shortfalls, or non-compliance.
• Partner with IT, procurement, finance, legal, and business stakeholders to align SAM strategies with organizational objectives.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for software licensing, compliance standards, and industry best practices.
• Drive organizational awareness and training programs around software usage policies and compliance obligations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing SAM and compliance team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the department.
• Promote innovation in processes and tools to improve software visibility and compliance monitoring.

Qualifications

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, business administration, or related field (master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in software asset management, IT procurement, or IT governance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven expertise in managing complex licensing environments across on-premise and cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP, SaaS).
• Strong knowledge of software licensing models (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, IBM, SAP, SaaS models, Salesforce).
• Proven success managing software audits, vendor negotiations, and enterprise-level compliance programs.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex licensing agreements and usage data.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of delivering measurable business outcomes.

Additional Information

When you join Epsilon, we’ll create something EPIC together. We’re a global leader in data and identity, with deep expertise in digital media, clean rooms, customer data platforms, loyalty and marketing services. Positioned at the center of Publicis Groupe, Epsilon helps brands deliver personalized experiences at scale and build lasting customer relationships by unlocking the full potential of data and identity. Epsilon operates in 30+ countries across EMEA, the Americas and APAC, with more than 8,000 employees.

Check out a few of these resources to learn more about what makes Epsilon so EPIC:

Our Culture: https://www.epsilon.com/us/about-us/our-culture-epsilon

Life at Epsilon: https://www.epsilon.com/us/about-us/epic-blog

• Act with integrity. We are transparent and have the courage to do the right thing.
• Work together to win together. We believe collaboration is the catalyst that unlocks our full potential.
• Innovate with purpose. We shape the market with big ideas that drive big outcomes.
• Respect all voices. We embrace differences and foster a culture of connection and belonging.
• Empower with accountability. We trust each other to own and deliver on common goals.

Because You Matter

Benefits

As an Epsilon employee, you deserve perks and benefits that put you, your family and your finances first. Our benefits encompass a wide range of offerings, including but not limited to:

• Time to recharge: Flexible time off (FTO), 14 paid holidays, paid sick time
• Family well-being: Parental/new child leave, childcare & elder care assistance, adoption assistance
• Extra perks: Comprehensive health coverage, 401(k), tuition assistance, commuter benefits, professional development, employee recognition, charitable donation matching, health coaching and counseling

Epsilon benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms.

Epsilon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Epsilon’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on actual or perceived race, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy), marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Epsilon also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. Epsilon will provide accommodations to applicants who need accommodations to complete the application process. Please reach out to [e-mail] to request an accommodation.

For San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles Areas: Epsilon will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. Applicants with criminal histories are welcome to apply.

Compensation Range: USD $116,400.00 - USD $232,100.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third‑party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 10/13/2026.