IT Software Asset Management (SAM) Specialist (Full-time – Remote – USA)

A pivotal role is available at a leading cybersecurity company for a highly organized and technically proficient IT Software Asset Management (SAM) Specialist to join their IT team. This full-time, remote position is open to candidates in the USA, offering exceptional flexibility. You’ll take day-to-day ownership of the IT software portfolio’s contract lifecycle management, actively managing software usage, reclaiming unused licenses, supporting procurement negotiations, ensuring timely renewals, and significantly reducing software waste.

This role is absolutely critical to optimizing software investments, maintaining compliance, advancing technical asset maturity, and supporting future IT and corporate budget planning for the company. You will also lead the operational setup and ongoing administration of a Software Asset Management platform (such as ServiceNow SAM Pro or an equivalent solution).

Who You Are: A Proactive, Detail-Oriented SAM Leader

You thrive in structured, fast-paced environments where proactive ownership is key. You’re a technical thinker who genuinely enjoys problem-solving, analyzing intricate usage data, and identifying strategic cost-saving opportunities. As an operational leader, you ensure no renewal or compliance task ever slips through the cracks. You’re a natural collaborator, adept at partnering seamlessly with IT, Finance, and Procurement teams, while leading the SAM process with remarkable independence and precision.

Here are some examples of what that looks like in action:

• You notice unused software licenses and immediately initiate a reclamation project without waiting to be asked.
• You meticulously track every vendor contract renewal date months in advance, proactively rallying stakeholders for early conversations.
• You spot duplicative platforms within the environment and present a well-researched plan to consolidate them, resulting in significant cost savings for the company.
• You expertly deploy and optimize asset management tools to gain real-time insights into the IT environment and drive data-driven decisions.
• You consistently leverage asset data and trends to inform IT budget cycles and forward-looking financial planning, ensuring strategic allocation of resources.
• You possess strong oral and written communication skills, enabling clear and effective interaction across all levels of the organization.

What You Will Do: Owning the Software Asset Lifecycle

As an IT Software Asset Management Specialist, you will oversee the entire lifecycle of the organization’s software assets, blending strategic optimization with meticulous operational execution. Your responsibilities will directly impact cost efficiency, compliance, and budget accuracy.

• License Optimization: You will actively monitor software usage across the organization and efficiently reclaim licenses from inactive users. This proactive approach ensures that the company is not paying for unused software, directly contributing to cost savings and optimal license utilization.
• Contract Management: You will meticulously track and maintain all IT software agreements, including precise renewal dates, key compliance terms, and licensing metrics. This comprehensive management ensures that all contractual obligations are met and future planning is well-informed.
• Renewal Process: You will lead the software renewal process by collaborating closely with the Procurement team to initiate renewal conversations at least 90 days in advance. You’ll provide essential support materials such as detailed usage reports, contract summaries, and optimization analyses to inform negotiations and secure favorable terms.
• Software Rationalization: You will proactively identify duplicative or underused software systems across the organization. You will then lead initiatives to reduce waste and eliminate overlapping spend, proposing and executing plans for consolidation or decommissioning to streamline the software portfolio and achieve cost efficiencies.
• Platform Ownership: You will take full ownership of the Software Asset Management (SAM) platform. This involves meticulously implementing, configuring, and maintaining a SAM tool such as ServiceNow SAM Pro or an equivalent industry-leading solution. Your expertise ensures the platform provides accurate, real-time insights into the software environment.
• Governance: You will be instrumental in developing robust policies, processes, and reporting practices for software asset management. This establishes a clear framework for how software is acquired, used, monitored, and retired, ensuring compliance and operational excellence across the organization.
• Reporting: You will deliver regular, insightful dashboards and reports on various critical SAM metrics. This includes detailed information on license utilization, upcoming renewals, potential compliance risks, identified optimization opportunities, and the financial impact of SAM initiatives, providing clear visibility to stakeholders.
• Budget Planning Support: You will translate SAM findings and insights into actionable intelligence that directly supports IT budget forecasting, renewal planning, and overall cost optimization strategies. Your data-driven contributions will inform strategic financial planning and ensure efficient allocation of IT resources.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You will foster strong partnerships and collaborate extensively with IT, Finance, GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance), Procurement, and Security teams. This ensures an aligned, compliant, and cost-effective software environment, where all stakeholders contribute to and benefit from robust SAM practices.

Must Haves: Your Essential Qualifications

To excel as an IT Software Asset Management Specialist, you’ll need significant experience in SAM, hands-on platform expertise, strong data analysis skills, and an independent, proactive work style.

• Experience Managing IT Software Assets and Licensing (3-5+ years): You must possess 3-5+ years of verifiable experience managing IT software assets and licensing. This extensive background demonstrates your practical knowledge of SAM principles, processes, and the complexities of software entitlements.
• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience) is required. This academic foundation provides the essential knowledge for understanding business operations and IT systems.
• Hands-on SAM Platforms Experience: You have hands-on experience with SAM platforms such as ServiceNow SAM Pro, Flexera, Snow Software, or an equivalent industry-leading tool. This indicates your practical ability to configure, administer, and leverage these systems for effective software asset management.
• Strong Knowledge of Software Licensing Models: You possess strong knowledge of various software licensing models, including SaaS (Software as a Service), subscription-based licenses, and perpetual licenses. This understanding is critical for optimizing costs and ensuring compliance across a diverse software portfolio.
• Familiarity with Contract Terms and Compliance: You have strong familiarity with contract terms, understanding key clauses related to software usage, renewals, and audits. This includes knowledge of compliance requirements and preparing for vendor audits, ensuring the organization adheres to all contractual obligations.
• Strong Data Analysis, Reporting, and Dashboard Development Skills: You demonstrate strong data analysis, reporting, and dashboard development skills. This includes the ability to extract insights from software usage data, create clear and compelling reports, and build informative dashboards for various stakeholders.
• Excellent Communication Skills: You possess excellent written, verbal, and cross-functional communication skills. This is crucial for collaborating with diverse teams, negotiating with vendors, and presenting complex data clearly to all levels of the organization.
• Proactive, Independent Work Style: You exhibit a proactive, independent work style, demonstrating initiative and accountability in managing tasks with minimal oversight. This is coupled with a meticulous attention to operational excellence, ensuring high standards in all SAM activities.
• Experience Working in a Remote-First Company: You have practical experience working in a remote-first company. This is crucial for success in a fully remote role, highlighting your ability to collaborate effectively, manage time autonomously, and thrive in a distributed team environment.

Nice to Have: Enhancing Your SAM Profile

• SAM Certification: A certification in Software Asset Management (e.g., CSAM – Certified Software Asset Manager) or an ITIL Foundation certification would be a significant plus, validating your specialized knowledge in SAM processes or IT service management.
• Vendor Negotiation Assistance: Experience assisting in vendor negotiations, particularly by providing usage and optimization data to Procurement teams, is desirable. This demonstrates your ability to contribute to cost-saving efforts directly.
• Software Rationalization Experience: Experience with software rationalization, including identifying duplicate systems and leading consolidation initiatives, is a plus, showcasing your ability to streamline software portfolios.
• Knowledge of Major Vendor Licensing: Specific knowledge of major vendor licensing models (e.g., Google, Zoom, Slack, Microsoft) would be highly beneficial, indicating familiarity with common enterprise software providers.

Compensation & Benefits: Rewarding Your Impact

Certain roles are eligible for a bonus, restricted stock units (RSUs), and comprehensive benefits. Individual compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, including their skills, experience, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. The base salary range for this position is $93,500—$110,000 USD.

The company’s compensation and benefits philosophy is designed to attract, motivate, and retain top talent. They pay competitively, and equity is an important and exciting part of their total compensation strategy as a pre-IPO startup, guided by the belief that team members should share in the financial success of the company. They offer flexible PTO, observe 12 paid holidays, and provide generous healthcare coverage (100% of employee healthcare premium costs in the US, and up to 100% for dependents, depending on the plan). As a globally-distributed, majority remote company, they prioritize a balance of deep focus time with virtual meetings and regular in-person events. As a fast-growing startup, they continuously review, improve, and personalize their benefits offerings based on team input.