IT Software Lifecycle Manager

Job Description Cradlepoint is seeking an IT Software Lifecycle Manager to ensure that our internal use customers maximize the value of their software investments while maintaining full license compliance. This role involves meticulously tracking software licenses and installations and working collaboratively with Product Owners, Sourcing, outsourcing suppliers, and software vendors. Key Responsibilities As the IT Software Lifecycle Manager, for assigned software suppliers, licenses, and associated costs, you will: - Define a comprehensive license management strategy for each assigned software supplier, including proactive action plans. - Drive regular connects with software suppliers and build and maintain strong relationships. - Keep track of all software license investments, maintain license records, current utilization, and identify licensing surplus or shortfalls. - Implement internal software pricing models. - Safeguard software maintenance and support renewals, ensuring continuity of service. - Ensure all costs purchased through Asset Management are properly reported and recovered from the respective product teams. - Identify savings opportunities for renewals, software licensing, and services. Follow through with product teams, sourcing, and end-users to obtain identified savings. Processes - Secure Software Asset Management (SAM) involvement in relevant internal processes. - Participate in relevant steering groups and other internal meetings important to the governance of software licenses. - Monitor the software business environment and best license practices. - Facilitate internal communication to make SAM functions visible for stakeholders and end-users. - Define the interfaces to other internal functions/units and drive efficiency through cross-unit collaboration (Sourcing, Product Owners, etc.). - Offer licensing expertise and cost calculations for internal stakeholders. - Support commercial and legal teams to provide consequence analysis relating to licensing. - Inform/escalate major license incompliance and/or violations to line management and/or relevant governance body. - Initiate improvements and corrective actions when deficiencies are identified, including necessary monitoring and escalation until issues or gaps are resolved. - Ensure to report all costs that need to be recovered from the business through proper channels. - Identify license cost reduction activities together with product owners and Sourcing. - Ensure accurate reporting for cost allocation on a periodical basis. - Identify contact persons for all outsourcing suppliers to manage information received from the SAM team. - Provide guidance and knowledge to our outsourcing suppliers regarding Cradlepoint's license compliance requirements. - Actively communicate with software suppliers account managers to address license pricing models, usage, and support issues, in collaboration with Sourcing. Organizational Interfaces The IT Software Lifecycle Manager should establish relationships with: - Product Owners - to understand actual software use and plans for the applications. - Sourcing - to gain knowledge of existing license agreements and to support Sourcing in negotiations with demands, product selection, and volumes. - Finance - for the budget process, follow-up of actual costs, internal cost allocation, and reporting. - Software Suppliers - for regular software supplier governance and operational meetings, and to build and maintain strong relationships. Qualifications & Experience - Experience working with multi-national global decentralized organizations. - Familiarity with IT cost-saving initiatives and reporting. - Proficiency with software license management and related procurement practices. - Experience working with software suppliers. - Working knowledge of software asset optimization planning and scenario planning for buy, transfer, and termination strategies for software asset use. - Certifications on CSAM & ASAM are preferable (not mandatory). Knowledge The IT Software Lifecycle Manager should have knowledge of: - General software licensing definitions, rules, and conditions, including maintenance and support, and general software license agreements. - Standards like ITIL, ISO, CoBIT are preferable.