Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.***

The Director of Software Asset Management (SAM) leads the enterprise-wide SAM function, owning strategy, governance, process, tooling, and team performance for software assets across the organization. This is a critical role that will be responsible for implementing and managing SAM across all 550 software applications across the enterprise. This role ensures license compliance, optimizes software spend, mitigates risk, enables software lifecycle management (from purchase through retirement), and aligns SAM with procurement, IT, finance, security, and business stakeholders.

What you will do:

• Define and execute the SAM strategy aligned with business objectives: software cost optimization, compliance, vendor risk, and technology enablement.
• Build and lead the SAM organization (people, process, platforms), including talent recruitment, development, team structure, performance metrics and culture of continuous improvement.
• Establish and govern SAM program policies, standards, frameworks (including definitions of roles/responsibilities, entitlements, metrics, audit readiness).
• Partner with stakeholders across IT, Procurement, Legal, Finance, Security, Business Units to ensure software acquisitions, usage, renewals and retirements are effectively managed and compliant.
• Manage licensing and entitlement positions for major vendor agreements (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, SAP) and monitor renewal / true-up cycles, usage, audits and audits readiness.
• Drive software use-rights and optimization initiatives: identify under-used licenses, re-harvest or redeploy, rationalize portfolios, negotiate vendor contracts with full insight into effective license position.
• Oversee the full software lifecycle: procurement/acquisition, deployment, managed usage, renewal/maintenance, retirement/disposition.
• Select, implement and optimize SAM tools (inventory/discovery, entitlement repository, reporting & dashboards) and integrate with ITAM, ITSM, CMDB, and procurement systems.
• Lead risk management: identify and address software license compliance risk, audit exposure, shadow IT, cybersecurity implications of unmanaged software.
• Monitor performance via KPIs: cost savings, software spend under control, compliance posture, time to value, audit findings, usage/optimization metrics.
• Drive communications and change management: build awareness of SAM processes, establish governance forums, engage leadership, guide culture toward disciplined software management.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices, vendor licensing models, regulatory/licensing changes, technology trends (cloud, SaaS/subscription, hybrid usage) and ensure the SAM strategy evolves accordingly.

What you will bring:

• Significant leadership experience (10+ years) in software asset management, IT asset management (ITAM), software licensing, procurement or a related field. For senior/VP level, experience leading large global SAM programs is preferred.
• Deep understanding of software licensing models (perpetual, subscription, SaaS, enterprise agreements) and major vendor ecosystems (Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Adobe, etc.) and audit/licensing risk.
• Proven track record of delivering cost savings and value through software license optimization, rationalization, contract negotiation, and lifecycle management.
• Strong experience with SAM tools, ITAM/CMDB/ITSM integration, software discovery/inventory, usage metering and dashboards.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, collaboration, influencing and communication skills—capable of working with C-suite, IT, procurement, finance and business leaders.
• Strategic mindset and analytical orientation: able to translate data and metrics into actionable program strategy; adept at building business case, governance frameworks, and driving long-term value.
• Leadership skills: able to build and manage an effective team, develop talent, drive change, manage through complexity and ambiguity.

Success Metrics / Performance Indicators

• Percentage of software spend under SAM control/managed via policy.
• Cost savings and avoidance achieved via software rationalization, optimization, renegotiation.
• License compliance / audit outcomes: number of audit findings, exposures, over-use/under-use rates.
• Time to onboard new software, retire unused software; cycle times for renewals and procurement.
• Stakeholder satisfaction with SAM service (IT, business units).
• Maturity and adoption of SAM processes, tools and governance (e.g., % of software inventory discovered, % of entitlements reconciled).
• Risk reduction: number of unmanaged applications, number of license infractions or audit issues.

What will set you apart:

• Relevant certifications/have an advantage: e.g., Certified Software Asset Manager (CSAM), Certified IT Asset Manager (CITAM), ITIL, etc.
• Experience with SaaS/subscription model management, cloud/hybrid environments desired.
• Demonstrated change-management ability: building SAM program from scratch or maturing low-maturity programs preferred.
• Understanding of sustainability/ESG implications (software life cycle, hardware vs software cost implications) is desired.
• Strong business acumen: able to weigh cost/risk/service trade-offs, speak the language of business units, procurement and finance is a plus.
• Experience with mergers & acquisitions and the software asset implications (integration, portfolio rationalization) is preferred.

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the job.  The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time.   You will be evaluated in part based on your performance of the responsibilities and/or tasks listed in this job description.   You may be required to perform other duties that are not included on this job description.  The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.

What we offer you

We offer an array of diverse and inclusive benefits regardless of where you are in your career. We believe that providing our employees with the means to lead healthy balanced lives results in the best possible work performance.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Retirement savings – 401(k) plan with generous company matching contributions (up to 6%), financial advisory services, potential company discretionary contribution, and a broad investment lineup
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
• Business-casual environment that includes the option to wear jeans
• Generous paid time off upon hire – including a paid time off program plus ten paid company holidays and three floating holidays each calendar year
• Paid volunteer time — 16 hours per calendar year
• Leave of absence programs – including paid parental leave, paid short- and long-term disability, and Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Business Resource Groups (BRGs) –  BRGs facilitate inclusion and collaboration across our business internally and throughout the communities where we live, work and play. BRGs are open to all.

Base Salary Range

The salary range above shows the typical minimum to maximum base salary range for this position in the location listed. Non-sales positions have the opportunity to participate in a bonus program. Sales positions are eligible for sales incentives, and in some instances a bonus plan, whereby total compensation may far exceed base salary depending on individual performance. Actual compensation offered may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, licensure requirements and/or skill level and will be finalized at the time of offer.

Equal opportunity employer •  Drug-free workplace

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age (40 and over), race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. 

***For remote and hybrid positions you will be required to provide reliable high-speed internet with a wired connection as well as a place in your home to work with limited disruption. You must have reliable connectivity from an internet service provider that is fiber, cable or DSL internet. Other necessary computer equipment, will be provided. You may be required to work in the office if you do not have an adequate home work environment and the required internet connection.***

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