Software Asset Management (SAM) Lead

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.

As the internal support organization for DNV and DNV owned companies, we deliver shared services within Human Resources, Finance, IT and Real Estate & Procurement to DNV globally. Our mission is to enable DNV to grow, succeed with its business goals and improve competitiveness. Customer experience is at the core of everything we do. GSS is responsible for many of the tools, processes and daily routines that create the backbone of DNV.