Software Asset Manager

FDM is a global business and technology consultancy seeking an experienced Software Asset Manager to work for our client within the Financial Services sector. This is initially a 6-12- month contract with the potential to extend and will be a hybrid role that will be based in Edinburgh or Bristol.

Our client is seeking an experienced Software Asset Manager to establish and lead a new centralised Software Asset Management (SAM) capability. This is a strategic role responsible for designing the operating model, governance framework, and processes required to provide effective software licence management across the organisation.

The successful candidate will drive improved visibility, control and optimisation of software assets, ensuring licence compliance, reducing software waste, eliminating duplication, and delivering measurable commercial value.

Working closely with Technology, Procurement, Finance, FinOps and Capacity Management teams, this individual will implement best practices, reporting frameworks and chargeback/showback mechanisms to improve accountability for software consumption and spend.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the organisation's Software Asset Management function.
• Develop and implement the SAM operating model, governance framework and policies.
• Define standards, controls and processes for software asset lifecycle management.
• Ensure effective licence compliance across software vendors and products.

• Implement processes to track software usage, licences and entitlements.
• Identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary software expenditure and eliminate duplication.
• Drive software rationalisation initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Deliver measurable cost optimisation outcomes through licence management and vendor engagement.

• Partner with FinOps, Finance and Procurement teams to improve software spend transparency.
• Establish reporting and management information frameworks for software consumption and utilisation.
• Design and implement showback and chargeback models.
• Produce regular reporting on compliance, utilisation, savings and optimisation opportunities.

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders across Technology, Finance, Procurement and Business Functions.
• Build strong working relationships with software vendors and internal service owners.
• Provide subject matter expertise and guidance on software licensing, compliance and optimisation.
• Present recommendations and business cases to senior leadership.

• Drive ongoing maturity improvements within Software Asset Management practices.
• Monitor industry trends and evolving licensing models.
• Support audits and ensure compliance with vendor licensing requirements.
• Promote best practice across the organisation.

• Proven experience establishing, building or transforming a Software Asset Management function within a large enterprise environment.
• Strong understanding of software licensing, compliance and software asset lifecycle management.
• Demonstrable experience delivering cost optimisation, software rationalisation and governance improvements.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders across Technology, Procurement, Finance and Operations.
• Strong commercial awareness and vendor management experience.
• Experience implementing reporting, showback and chargeback models.
• Ability to operate independently and lead organisational change.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience of IT Asset Management (ITAM) and FinOps practices.
• Knowledge of major vendor licensing models including Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, SAP or Adobe.
• Experience working within regulated or complex enterprise environments.
• ITIL, SAM, ITAM or related professional certifications.