About the Position

Software Asset Management (SAM) Lead

Locations: Oslo, Norway | Pune, India

Business: Global Shared Services

Job ID: 7175

About the Role

DNV is a leading independent assurance and risk management provider, operating in over 100 countries. We advance safety and sustainable performance, set industry standards, and innovate solutions for global transformations.

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 new centralized Software Asset Management (SAM) function that governs how software is acquired, used, and managed across DNV - to improve compliance, reduce cost, and strengthen IT security.

We are now looking for a Head of Section – SAM Lead to take ownership of this newly established function and shape it into a permanent, employee-led capability. This is a unique opportunity to build a global function from the ground up - combining strategy, governance, operations, vendor management, and data and tooling - with strong executive sponsorship and a clear mandate across all of DNV.

Responsibilities

As Head of Section – SAM, 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 organization.
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 defense 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, fulfillment, 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.

Requirements

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.
Personal qualities:
- A pragmatic builder who thrives in early-stage, ambiguous environments.
- Strong ownership, accountability, and follow-through.
- Comfortable making decisions and defending them with data.
- Collaborative, trust-building, and able to lead through influence across GSS IT and BAs.
- Curious, structured, and continuously improving.

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.

DEI STATEMENT: DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age or political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to our culture and we invite you to be part of this diversity.

About the Company

Since 1864, DNV has been dedicated to safeguarding life, property, and the environment. Today, we remain at the forefront of new technologies and techniques to help our customers transform for a more sustainable future.

At DNV, you can expect to deliver career and industry-defining work. You’ll be given the time to build your network, the resources to support your development, and the freedom to satisfy your curiosity and desire to learn.

Benefits

Profit Share: You’ll be part of our global profit share scheme that means we all share in our success as a business. If we profit, so do you.
Insurance: Taking care of you with travel, life, and accident insurance.
Pension Schemes: We care about your long-term financial security and prioritize pension and retirement benefits.
Professional Development: We believe in the 70/20/10 learning model.
Hybrid Working: Adapting to the changing world of work around the world.
Purpose-led organization: You become part of a world-leading company where we know and live our purpose; to safeguard life, property, and the environment.
Supportive and caring culture: We offer opportunities to connect through social and professional networks.
Attractive rewards: We focus on work/life balance and offer employees flexible working hours and workplace, annual vacation allowance, competitive pension, insurance, and a global profit share scheme.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At DNV, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is not only an ethical choice, but also a business decision. Diversity, fairness, and a sense of belonging are a source of strength for our people, our business, and our customers, and help us to deliver on our purpose, vision, and values.

Working Here

Since 1864, we’ve been dedicated to safeguarding life, property, and the environment. Today, we remain at the forefront of new technologies and techniques to help our customers transform for a more sustainable future.

Application Process

For more information on our application process, benefits, and career growth, please visit our FAQs page.

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Disclaimer

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Software Asset Management (SAM) Lead

Job Description, Responsibilities & Requirements

About the Position