Senior Program Manager, Technology (Software Asset Management)
Nordstrom, Inc.
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Nordstrom, Inc. seeks a Senior Program Manager, Technology – SAM to lead high-impact software asset management programs leveraging FlexeraOne, automation, and AI-enabled analytics.
You will drive cross-functional collaboration with Vendor Management, Security, Engineering, Legal, and Finance to optimize software spend and ensure compliance. The role requires deep SAM expertise, executive-level storytelling, and the ability to mentor teams while delivering programs on time and within budget.
Qualifications
- 7+ years managing large-scale, cross-functional programs (SAM).
- Deep knowledge of SAM principles, software lifecycle, and licensing models.
- Experience with audits and audit readiness.
- Executive stakeholder management and strategic storytelling.
- Familiarity with cloud and on-prem vendors (Oracle, Google, AWS, Azure).
- Experience enabling AI/automation in SAM processes.
Responsibilities
- Lead strategic SAM programs with enterprise impact and risk management.
- Align programs with enterprise objectives including cost containment and compliance.
- Incorporate AI and automation to enhance license management and reporting.
- Engage with Vendor Management, Sourcing, Security, Engineering, Legal, and Tech Finance.
- Mentor teams and build SAM maturity across the organization.
- Measure KPIs for cost savings, compliance, and license optimization.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Job Description The Senior Program Manager, Technology – Software Asset Management (SAM) will be leading High-Impact, High-Risk Programs that enable SAM transformation. The role drives SAM programs that leverages FlexeraOne, automation, and generative-AI workflows to manage the end-to-end software lifecycle at Nordstrom. Success demands deep licensing expertise, data-driven storytelling, and cross-functional leadership, with automation regarded as the default approach for delivering value across Nordstrom’s technology portfolio. This role understands and partners within and outside of Technology to strike the appropriate balance between solution and license risk management. This role requires a blend of advanced program management skills, strategic leadership, and technical understanding to deliver high-impact SAM programs that align with organizational goals that optimize software spend, enhance compliance and risk management, and drive measurable business value. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering large-scale programs on time and within budget, leveraging automation and AI-driven analytics to improve processes. They will also excel in stakeholder engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring teams to build organizational SAM maturity.
- Program Governance: Lead and oversee strategic SAM initiatives with broad organizational impact, high risk compliance programs and enterprise-impacting process improvements.
- Strategic Approach: Ensure programs are aligned with enterprise objectives, including cost containment, compliance readiness, operational efficiency, and deliver measurable outcomes.
- AI & Automation Oversight: Incorporate AI and automation technologies into SAM processes to enhance SAM operations, reduce manual effort, and improve accuracy across license management and compliance reporting.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Influence: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Vendor Management, Sourcing, Security, Engineering, Legal, and Tech Finance to drive a unified license-compliance process. Facilitate executive-level meetings, such as Steering Committees to provide data-driven insights on program progress, license risk, and outcomes, enabling informed decision-making. Build strong relationships with stakeholders, proactively influencing priorities and resolving conflicts to align diverse perspectives with organizational goals.
- Program and Team Leadership: Provide strategic data and process insights to cross-functional teams, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, and understanding of deliverables for SAM programs. Mentor and develop team members, fostering a collaborative and solution-driven culture while building the next generation of SAM expertise. Drive projects across multiple SAM initiatives, ensuring consistency with enterprise strategies and IT asset management objectives.
- Data-Driven Program Management: Identify gaps in operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of SAM programs, including cost savings, compliance adherence, and license optimization, and proposes solutions to leadership. Leverage AI-driven analytics and reporting tools to monitor progress, identify and mitigate risks, and provide actionable insights to stakeholders.
- Continuous SAM Development: Champion innovation with SAM by identifying opportunities to enhance tools, processes, and data integration to meet evolving business needs. Establish knowledge-sharing frameworks, such as playbooks, templates, and best practices, to scale SAM capabilities across organization. Act as a thought leader in SAM, inspiring teams to adopt proactive, AI-enabled, and results-driven approaches to program delivery.
- 7+ years’ experience managing large-scale, cross-functional programs, with a focus on Software Asset Management (SAM)
- 7+ years of proven ability to deliver high-impact programs (multimillion-dollar programs) while overcoming challenges and exceeding stakeholder expectations
- Deep knowledge of SAM principles, software lifecycle management, and software licensing models
- Expert knowledge of FlexeraOne, including foundational back-end knowledge
- Familiarity with major software vendors both on-prem and cloud (e.g. Oracle, Google, Azure, AWS) to ensure compliance and cost optimization.
- Proven ability to manage software audits and ensure audit readiness
- Executive stakeholder management – able to brief VP/CTO level, ability to be a strategic storyteller and distill complex data into action-oriented exec narratives
- Ability to inspire others, engage in healthy debate, including demonstrated experience leading strong teams and be a change catalyst that rallies diverse teams around new tooling and processes
- Technical background and understanding of both core infrastructure and software development principals
- Ability to build relationships cross-functionally with multiple teams both within and outside of technology from areas such as Vendor Management, Security, Engineering, Product Management, Finance, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement, and HR
- Strong leadership skills to foster collaboration among cross-functional teams and drive alignment on SAM priorities
- Track record of AI/automation enablement (e.g. Azure OpenAI, GitHub Actions, Power Automate) to optimize SAM processes and uncover actional insights, and how to implement automation workflows that reduce manual effort and enhance accuracy in reporting
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex data and provide clear, actionable recommendations
- Proficiency in defining and tracking metrics to measure program success and continuously improve SAM processes
- Ability to align SAM initiatives with broader organizational goals, such as cost containment, compliance, and digital transformation
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Proven ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, including executives, IT leaders, and business unit managers – answer the question “Why should this license risk be prioritized?”
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Certifications in SAM Tools or frameworks (e.g., ITIL, IAITAM certifications like CSAM, FNMS certified) are highly desirable.
- Familiarity with discovery and IT Service Management (ITSM) tools like ServiceNow, Wiz, Configuration Management, JAMF, InTune
- Experience implementing or managing cloud-based SAM processes (e.g., for AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)
- Familiarity with purple-team security mindset – understanding how software governance intersects with cyber risk
The pay range(s) below has been provided in compliance with state specific laws. Pay ranges may be different for other locations. Pay offers are dependent on the location, as well as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
- California: $120,500-$220,500 annually
- Colorado: $120,500-$187,500 annually
- Connecticut: $120,500-$220,500 annually
- Delaware: $120,500-$187,500 annually
- Hawaii: $120,500-$187,500 annually
- Illinois: $120,500-$187,500 annually
- Maine: $120,500-$187,500 annually
- Maryland: $120,500-$220,500 annually
- Massachusetts: $120,500-$220,500 annually
- Minnesota: $120,500-$187,500 annually
- Nevada: $120,500-$187,500 annually
- New Jersey: $120,500-$220,500 annually
- New York: $120,500-$220,500 annually
- Rhode Island: $120,500-$187,500 annually
- Virginia: $120,500-$220,500 annually
- Washington: $120,500-$220,500 annually
- Washington D.C.: $142,000-$220,500 annually
- Medical/Vision, Dental, Retirement and Paid Time Away Life Insurance and Disability Merchandise Discount and EAP Resources
- Benefits include 401k, medical/vision/dental/life/disability insurance options, PTO accruals, Holidays, and more.
- The position may be eligible for performance-based incentives/bonuses.
- Eligibility requirements may apply based on location, job level, classification, and length of employment.
The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. There may be additional duties, responsibilities and qualifications for this job. For Los Angeles or San Francisco applicants: Nordstrom is required to inform you that we conduct background checks after conditional offer and consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with legal requirements per Los Angeles, Cal. Muni. Code 189.04 and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
For additional state and location specific notices, please refer to the Legal Notices document within the FAQ section of the Nordstrom Careers site.
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation should contact the nearest Nordstrom location, which can be identified at www.nordstrom.com. Please be mindful that there may be legal notices and requirements related to this job posting that are specific to your state. Review the Career Site FAQ’s for relevant information and guidelines.
We’re a fast-moving fashion company that started as a shoe store in 1901. This heritage of service is the foundation we’re building on as we provide convenience and true connection for our customers.
We empower our people to be innovative, creative and focused on providing the best service to our customers. Through it all, we remain committed to leaving the world better than we found it.
Whether you’re a genius engineer, a phenomenal salesperson or a supply chain pro, we invite you to bring your unique talents and join our team.
We reward great work, promote from within and celebrate diversity.
We strive to know our customers better than anyone else. We listen, anticipate, build trust and move with speed to deliver on their needs.
We treat every interaction as an opportunity to make an impact and deliver excellence.
We approach problems with curiosity and create solutions. We unlock potential to be bold, think big and inspire innovation.
We’re committed to delivering results, both today and tomorrow. We win as a team by supporting and challenging one another to be better every day.
We treat each other with respect and kindness. We do the small things that make a big difference. We create a welcoming environment, helping people feel connected, valued and part of one community. Come on! Join us!
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