Specialist Software Asset Management
Absa
- Randburg, Johannesburg
- Permanent
- Full-time
An ideal Software Asset Management Specialist is a recognized expert in the Software Asset Management field with extensive experience to optimally manage key software publishers across a wide range of enterprise platforms, able to analise and solve tough problems, interpret complex environments, consistently maintain a high level of accuracy, with expertise in Software Asset Management governance, risk, processes and best practice. She/he has a track record of aligning design decisions to business strategy and objectives and of providing insights and direction to the business and product owners at the most senior levels. She/he has a passion for problem-solving and continual service improvement and can provide insights into actionable and sustainable solutions.Job DescriptionJob Description SummaryAs a Software Asset Management Specialist in the Absa Software Asset Management team, you will manage software licenses from planning to retirement across a wide range of platforms and publishers, to reduce the total cost of ownership while maintaining agreed-upon service levels. You will evaluate the software licensing needs for the organization and actively track licenses to ensure legal and regulatory compliance with the relevant stakeholders.An ideal Software Asset Management Specialist is a recognized expert in the Software Asset Management field with extensive experience to optimally manage key software publishers across a wide range of enterprise platforms, able to analise and solve tough problems, interpret complex environments, consistently maintain a high level of accuracy, with expertise in Software Asset Management governance, risk, processes and best practice. She/he has a track record of aligning design decisions to business strategy and objectives and of providing insights and direction to the business and product owners at the most senior levels. She/he has a passion for problem-solving and continual service improvement and can provide insights into actionable and sustainable solutions.Accountable: Manage software across Software Asset Management LifecycleUtilise your software licensing expertise by tracking, ensuring compliance, cost savings, risk mitigation, key metrics reporting, administrative efficiency and optimal use of software licenses, and overall efficiency of the Software Asset life cycle management – people, processes and technology,Drive maximum value from our license agreements for Cloud, Server and End User Computing Software, while delivering a seamless experience for our users with daily and strategic management and control of the software portfolio to optimize the value, cost, and risk of software,Manage, track, Update and Optimize the group’s software assets across all the platforms in scope, such as AWS, Azure, Windows, Unix, AIX, Linux, and other,Manage and maintain Software Publishers and the corresponding data around it by ensuring complete, accurate, and current software and hardware asset inventory on the Flexera Software Asset Management toolset and ensuring it is aligned with the configuration management database (CMDB)Accountable: Software Compliance and Audit readinessPrepare the organization for or participate in a software audit with accurate ownership information to realize cost benefits, avoid unneeded software purchases, avoid penalties incurred from non-compliance and unused software licenses.Ensure that Software licenses are reconciled and compliance exceptions regarding software usage and license agreements are reported and managed to ensure full compliance with terms and conditions of all software licensing documents and agreementsDevelop, implement and maintain a remediation plan for licenses out of compliance or unauthorized for use within the organizationEngage with stakeholders and business owners as required as per the Software Asset Management framework, standard, policies, processes, procedures and risk and governance frameworksIdentify and execute cost-saving opportunities through software re-harvesting and license optimization, in conjunction with Product and Business ownersIdentify risks, savings opportunities and optimisations for renewals, and license harvesting potentialAccountable: Software Asset Management Inventory and PlatformManage and maintain the accuracy and health of the software and hardware inventory in Flexera and related software management toolsMaintain and optimise Flexera Software Asset Management tools and infrastructure in use in the organisationPromote and enable automation and integration between platforms and systems to support a sustainable software asset management environmentAccountable: Management InformationEnsure compliance, accuracy, completeness, and creating processes, metrics, and reporting to support license positionsIdentify, define, measure, report and improve key indicators for in-scope publisher/title(s)Create Software License Management and related Reports / Dashboards and drive automationAccountable: Governance, Risk, ComplianceApply the group risk, governance, compliance, regulatory frameworks, and standards, including SAM policies, standards, processes, and risksAudit and monitor software asset management group and internal controls (governance)Provide inputs & reporting requirements or coordinate relevant processes for all internal/external risk, regulatory, compliance, and governance-related process for managed services provisioning across the estateImplement & maintain knowledge management & data management processes for the successful governance of software asset management activitiesImplement and maintain relevant, accurate & timely governance, risk, and compliance informationAccountability: PeopleProactively and effectively (time and quality) collaborate and drive collaboration across teams where it makes sense (e.g. managing dependencies and interdependencies, conflict resolution, information and best practice sharing, problem resolution outside of own area, etc.)Apply collaboration skills in business reviews and issue resolution regardless of team boundaries and lead communication with relevant stakeholders through to conclusionContribute to high-performance team environment and culture as a high performing member of a self-directed team aligned agile working environmentLeverage coaching techniques in all team/service provider related activity to drive a higher quality ITAM serviceProactively seek and provide feedback across a range of stakeholders for the benefit of the team and leverage feedback to consistently improve ITAM service deliveryParticipate in peer reviews, problem-solving within and across the broader teamAdditional Job DescriptionEnsure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Framework and Absa Policies and Policy Standards.Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role.Preferred EducationRelevant Information Technology Bachelor`s Degrees and/or DiplomasPreferred CertificationCSAM / IAITAM or recognized related Software Asset Management CertificationITIL Certification and firm understanding and practice experience with ITIL best practicesPreferred Experience5+ Years’ experience as a Software License Management specialistSolid experience with IT Service Management and Software Asset Management processes and platformsSolid experience with SaaS License ManagementSolid experience with Enterprise Technology infrastructure and platformsSolid experience using Flexera One Suite of productsSolid experience interpreting complex licensing terms and conditions.Solid experience with Software Asset Management Audits, Risk and Governance frameworksSolid experience with the following Publishers: SAP, Microsoft, VMware, Adobe, Oracle, RedHat, IBM, Symantec, VeritasSolid experience with SaaS, Amazon, Google, Azure, and experience with other cloud technologiesExperience with SCCM, Intune, JAMF, and ServiceNow tools and dataExperience using procurement tools, such as SAP and CoupaDesired KnowledgeAbility to maintain a strong working relationship with leaders whose departments consume/deploy software titlesBring to the table some of the industry best practices in Software Governance, associated processes including Software requisition and fulfilment, procurement, asset management, systems automation, and general project managementBe a strong team player, collaborate effectively with the SAM Technical Platform support and Operations team, to define, document and agree on SAM data requirements across the software lifecycle for automation and software license optimizationUnderstand of IT components (infrastructure, software, virtual and physical hardware, Databases) and how they interactUnderstand hardware technology and configurations including cloud/virtualization technologies (VMware, AWS, Azure etc.)Mindset to continuously improve the SAM processes, reporting and metrics.Strong analytical and communication skills to prepare and present periodic accurate internal reporting around complete license position and related analysis for in-scope Software PublishersAbility to review and define processes and business requirements for automation and service improvementsAbility to identify, define, measure, report and improve key indicators for in-scope publisher/title(s). Able to create executive Reports / Dashboards and automateAbility to manage and execute required processes and reporting for renewals, true-ups, certifications and audits by collaborating with various internal and external stakeholders as neededAbility to partner and collaborate with multiple key internal and external stakeholders, including Procurement, Legal, Finance, Sourcing, Vendor Management, IT Asset and Configuration Management, Product Owners (Software Owners), Architects, Administrators, Engineers, User Groups, Vendors/Resellers, to help collect, organize and obtain critical information required for the management of software assetsDesired SkillsReporting skills, such as PowerBI, Cognos and ExcelFlexera Certification / TrainingCloud Technologies awareness, such as IaaS, PaaS, SaaSAzure and Amazon Web Services awarenessEducationBachelor's Degree: Information TechnologyAbsa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised