Director, Software Asset Management (SAM) Strategy and Operations

Director IT Engineering - IE06AE
We're determined to make a difference and are proud to be an insurance company that goes well beyond coverages and policies. Working here means having every opportunity to achieve your goals - and to help others accomplish theirs, too. Join our team as we help shape the future.

The Director of SAM Strategy & Operations, will execute on our vision of a fully mature SAM practice with complete license transparency, no audit surprises, continuous compliance, and optimized software spend by owning the SAM strategy and roadmap, driving cross-functional governance, and ensuring full utilization of our ServiceNow SAM Pro platform to deliver measurable results.

Reporting to the AVP of IT Engineering, the Director will lead a team of SAM analysts and an Open-Source Software (OSS) compliance analyst. This external-facing role is pivotal in elevating The Hartford's SAM maturity - from establishing robust license management processes to championing audit readiness and cost optimization initiatives - all while collaborating across IT, Finance, Procurement, and Security to embed SAM excellence into the organization's DNA.

• Strategic Leadership & Roadmap Ownership: Define and execute the enterprise-wide SAM vision and multi-year roadmap, aligning SAM objectives with The Hartford's business goals and ITAM maturity targets. Drive program initiatives across discovery, data quality, process integration, and automation to achieve a "Managed/Optimized" SAM state.
• Governance & Cross-Functional Collaboration: Chair the SAM steering committee and governance boards, enforcing SAM policies and accountability across business units. Partner with federated teams - including Finance, Procurement, Security, and IT - to ensure software asset policies are adopted, roles (RACI) are clear, and compliance is everyone's responsibility.
• Audit Readiness & Compliance Assurance: Ensure The Hartford is always audit-ready. Oversee license compliance audits and internal reviews, proactively resolving any compliance gaps to eliminate unplanned true-up costs or penalties. Establish continuous self-audit processes and metrics.
• ServiceNow SAM Pro Optimization: Maximize the use of ServiceNow SAM Pro across its full capabilities. Oversee SAM Pro configuration, data normalization efforts, and integration with other systems (e.g. CMDB, procurement tools) to achieve a single source of truth for software assets. Drive automation of license tracking, reclamation, and dashboard reporting to reduce manual effort and improve responsiveness.
• Cost Optimization & Value Delivery: Identify and drive software cost-saving opportunities by analyzing license utilization and entitlements. Lead initiatives for license reclamation, recycling of unused licenses, and contract optimization negotiations, aiming to reduce software spend while maintaining service levels. Track and report realized savings to demonstrate SAM's impact on the bottom line.
• Team Leadership & Development: Build, mentor, and direct SAM Analysts and OSS compliance staff, providing guidance on complex license analyses and compliance issues. Foster an outcomes-driven culture with clear objectives (OKRs) and develop the team's expertise in SAM Pro and asset analytics.
• Policy Development & Continuous Improvement: Oversee the development and updating of SAM policies, standards, and processes in coordination with IT Asset Management (ITAM) governance team. Ensure alignment with relevant regulations (e.g. NYDFS 500.13 cybersecurity requirements) and internal audit controls. Champion continuous improvement - regularly assess the SAM program's maturity, and sponsor initiatives (training, tool enhancements, process refinements) to advance to the next level.

• Education & Experience: 10+ years of experience in IT Asset Management/SAM, with 5+ years in a leadership role overseeing enterprise SAM or ITAM programs. Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Business, or related field; MBA or relevant master's a plus.
• Domain Expertise: Deep knowledge of software licensing practices and SAM frameworks. Proven track record of managing software audits and compliance for large organizations, including successful audit defenses and cost recoveries. Familiarity with industry standards and regulations affecting asset management (license terms, NIST, NYDFS, etc.).
• Technical Skills: Expertise in ServiceNow SAM Pro (or similar SAM tools) - including implementing modules, configuring workflows, and leveraging the platform for license reconciliation and optimization. Strong understanding of IT infrastructure (servers, cloud, endpoints) and discovery/CMDB data as it relates to software asset tracking. Ability to interpret software license agreements across major vendors (Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, etc.).
• Leadership & Collaboration: Exceptional leadership skills to drive cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders at all levels. Experience leading governance efforts or steering committees is highly desirable. Able to secure executive sponsorship and promote a culture of compliance and asset stewardship across diverse teams.
• Analytical & Strategic Mindset: Data-driven approach to decision-making, with experience defining and tracking KPIs/OKRs. Capable of strategic thinking to align SAM operations with business objectives and of diving into details to solve complex licensing problems. Excellent communication skills to articulate vision and value of SAM to executives and front-line teams alike.
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated ability to implement process improvements and automation in asset management. Experience with integration of SAM tools with procurement systems, financial systems, or CI/CD pipelines is a plus. Passion for staying current on SAM industry trends, emerging tools, and best practices.

• 100% Policy & Governance Adoption: Achieve full participation in SAM governance processes (steering committees, compliance reporting) across all business units, evidenced by 100% of top software asset owners completing regular compliance attestations and policy adherence checks.