Software Asset Management (SAM) Lead
Summary
Leads the establishment of a global Software Asset Management (SAM) function to govern software acquisition, usage, and compliance across DNV, building a permanent team and optimizing licensing and costs.
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:
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.
Why join us?
- Build and lead a strategic global capability from an early stage
- Shape DNV's approach to software governance, compliance, and optimization
- Partner with senior stakeholders across IT, Procurement, Finance, Security, and the Business Areas
- Combine strategy, governance, commercial management, and people leadership in one role
- Join a purpose-driven organization committed to safeguarding life, property, and the environment
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.
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.
Who you are:
You are not only a SAM expert. You are a builder and leader who enjoys creating structure, driving change, and bringing people together around a common goal.
You thrive when:
- Building something new rather than maintaining the status quo.
- Turning complexity into practical and scalable solutions.
- Using data to make decisions and drive accountability.
- Navigating diverse stakeholder interests and building trust across organizational boundaries.
- Continuously improving processes, governance, and ways of working.
Recruitment process – internal and external in parallel
To ensure we identify the strongest candidate, this role will be advertised and recruited simultaneously internally and externally, and in both Høvik and Pune.
We strongly encourage qualified DNV colleagues with relevant SAM, ITAM, licensing, or IT commercial governance experience to apply alongside external candidates. Internal applications will be treated on equal terms with external applications, with the final decision based on overall fit, capability, and ability to build the function.
The application deadline is 31 August 2026; however, we will be reviewing applications continuously throughout the recruitment process. Early applications are encouraged.