Software Asset Management, Senior Manager

This job is with WPP, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 115,000 accomplished people in 110 countries. WPP has headquarters in New York, London and Singapore and a corporate presence in major markets worldwide.

We create transformative ideas and outcomes for our clients through an integrated offer of communications, experience, commerce, and technology.

WPP and our award-winning agencies work with most of the world's biggest companies and organisations – from Ford, Unilever and P&G to Google, HSBC, and the UN. Our clients include 61 of the FTSE 100, 307 of the Fortune Global 500, all 30 of the Dow Jones 30 and 62 of the NASDAQ 100. WPP are the leader in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index and 20th in the FTSE 100 rankings for Women on Boards.

Why we're hiring:

At WPP we are undergoing a companywide transformation programme that will enable us to work together in a more coordinated, connected, and efficient way across the group. As part of the transformation, we are building out a Global Procurement function to support and assist us in meeting our ambition, and our vision is. ‘To be the best commercial Procurement organisation to work for and work with, delivering value and managing risk for the benefit of our businesses, our planet, our clients, and our communities."

What you'll be doing:

• Leading the development and implementation of WPP’s SAM strategy, aligned with our goals and technology needs.


• Overseeing the SAM team, providing direction, mentorship, and leadership to ensure high performance in tracking, compliance, reporting, and optimization of software assets. Closely managing and define the requirements of 3rd Party SAM service providers, holding them to account.


• Working closely with Enterprise Technology to implement the SAM digital toolset across the organisation.


• Building and maintaining excellent and trusted partnering with Enterprise Technology, including at c-level.


• Being part of building, and aligning to, Enterprise Technology goals and strategy for the key software publishers in scope.


• Building a SAM team that adds demonstrable value to the Business, understanding their needs and requirements from a SAM team.


• Providing software licensing expertise as the ‘go-to’ person/team for any licensing query.


• Establishing and maintaining SAM policies and procedures to ensure effective software license management and usage compliance.


• Ensuring accurate tracking and management of software licenses across the organisation.


• Leading the preparation for and response to vendor software audits, ensuring compliance with vendor licensing terms and minimising financial and legal risks.


• Working with the team and our third-party managed service provider to analyse software usage patterns, license usage, and vendor agreements to identify opportunities for savings, license optimization, and efficiency improvements with regular reporting and partnering with the Business/Enterprise Technology.


• Providing regular reports and dashboards to senior Enterprise Technology management and product owners, offering insights into software usage, license compliance, cost trends, and risk areas.

What you'll need:

• SAM experience in a similar sized, global organisation.


• Deep knowledge of Enterprise software licensing.


• Audit & Compliance Expertise.


• License audit expertise.


• Proven experience in leading high-performing teams.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are accepting: of new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We promote a culture of people that do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

Please read our Privacy Notice (https://www.wpp.com/people/wpp-privacy-policy-for-recruitment) for more information on how we process the information you provide.