Manager - Software Licenses

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Manage the enterprise software licensing and Software Asset Management function, ensuring effective governance, compliance, cost optimization and timely renewals.

The role acts as the primary point of contact for software licensing, coordinates key activities across Technology, Architecture, Security, Procurement, Finance, Legal, Risk, Audit, business stakeholders and the Contracts team, and provides clear recommendations to management.

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• License Governance & Compliance: Manage the software licensing governance framework and maintain oversight of entitlements, deployments, usage, ownership, costs and renewal dates. Coordinate compliance reviews, true-ups, declarations, and responses to internal and external software audits.
• Cost Optimization: Drive license optimization activities by reviewing demand, identifying unused or duplicative software, coordinating reclamation and consolidation actions, and reporting savings and cost avoidance to management.
• Enterprise Licensing: Act as the key licensing specialist for enterprise, cloud, subscription, SaaS and perpetual software arrangements, including major publishers such as Microsoft, Oracle, IBM and Red Hat. Provide licensing recommendations, align stakeholders and coordinate contractual matters with the Contracts team.
• Renewals & Demand Management: Manage the strategic software renewal portfolio and facilitate requirement-review sessions with technology owners. Validate demand, usage, quantities, licensing metrics and BoQs, and provide licensing recommendations before procurement or renewal.
• New Software & Procurement Support: Represent Software Licensing in relevant architecture, technology selection and approval forums. Review new software demand, assess existing entitlements and licensing models, and provide licensing input to RFP/RFQ evaluations in coordination with Procurement and the Contracts team.
• Cloud & SaaS Licensing: Govern SaaS subscriptions and cloud marketplace purchases. Monitor consumption-based commitments, credits, rewards and licensing implications where applicable.
• Financial Controls: Support software budget planning and forecasting. Validate software quantities, usage, billing periods, credits and cost allocations, and coordinate with the Contracts and Procurement teams for contractual and PO validation.
• Tools, Data & Reporting: Maintain reliable licensing data through SAM tools, ServiceNow, CMDB, Excel, Power BI and procurement/contract systems. Produce management reporting on spend, compliance, utilization, renewals, savings and risks.
• Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Serve as the primary contact and escalation point for software licensing. Build effective working relationships with management, technology owners, control functions and strategic vendors; facilitate licensing reviews and communicate risks, priorities and recommendations clearly.
• Risk & Control: Maintain the licensing control environment, procedures and evidence standards. Coordinate remediation actions and escalate material compliance exposure, unsupported software, unapproved applications, shadow IT and business-continuity risks through the appropriate governance channels.

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• 10+ years of relevant experience in software licensing, Software Asset Management, IT asset management or similar profiles.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex enterprise licensing environments, strategic renewal portfolios and major publisher engagements.
• Strong understanding of SaaS, subscription, perpetual, enterprise agreement, ULA/ELA, cloud and consumption-based licensing models.
• Practical experience in license compliance, internal reviews, vendor audits, renewals, optimization and cost management.
• Experience working in the UAE and/or banking or financial services sector is an advantage.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Business, Finance or a related discipline.
• ITIL, Software Asset Management, IT Asset Management or FinOps certifications are advantageous.

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• Ability to understand key software licensing provisions and coordinate contractual matters with the Contracts team.
• Advanced analytical and reporting skills, including strong working knowledge of Excel and Power BI.
• Working knowledge of SAM platforms, ServiceNow, CMDB, Excel and Power BI.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing, vendor management, facilitation and management communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders, support informed decisions and manage multiple licensing portfolios, renewals and compliance priorities.

Skills: Software Licensing , Cost Optimization , SaaS Management