Sr. Program Manager Technology, Software Asset Management (Remote)

Job Description

A strategic Senior Program Manager, Technology – Software Asset Management (SAM) will be leading High-Impact, High-Risk Programs that enable SAM transformation. The role drives SAM programs that leverages FlexeraOne, automation, and generative-AI workflows to manage the end-to-end software lifecycle at Nordstrom. Success demands deep licensing expertise, data-driven storytelling, and cross-functional leadership, with automation regarded as the default approach for delivering value across Nordstrom’s technology portfolio. This role understands and partners within and outside of Technology to strike the appropriate balance between solution and license risk management. This role requires a blend of advanced program management skills, strategic leadership, and technical understanding to deliver high-impact SAM programs that align with organizational goals that optimize software spend, enhance compliance and risk management, and drive measurable business value. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering large-scale programs on time and within budget, leveraging automation and AI-driven analytics to improve processes. They will also excel in stakeholder engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring teams to build organizational SAM maturity. 
 

A day in the life…  

• Program Governance: Lead and oversee strategic SAM initiatives with broad organizational impact, high risk compliance programs and enterprise-impacting process improvements. 
• Strategic Approach: Ensure programs are aligned with enterprise objectives, including cost containment, compliance readiness, operational efficiency, and deliver measurable outcomes. 
• AI & Automation Oversight: Incorporate AI and automation technologies into SAM processes to enhance SAM operations, reduce manual effort, and improve accuracy across license management and compliance reporting. 
• Stakeholder Engagement and Influence: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Vendor Management, Sourcing, Security, Engineering, Legal, and Tech Finance to drive a unified license-compliance process. Facilitate executive-level meetings, such as Steering Committees to provide data-driven insights on program progress, license risk, and outcomes, enabling informed decision-making. Build strong relationships with stakeholders, proactively influencing priorities and resolving conflicts to align diverse perspectives with organizational goals. 
• Program and Team Leadership: Provide strategic data and process insights to cross-functional teams, ensuring clarity of roles, responsibilities, and understanding of deliverables for SAM programs. Mentor and develop team members, fostering a collaborative and solution-driven culture while building the next generation of SAM expertise. Drive projects across multiple SAM initiatives, ensuring consistency with enterprise strategies and IT asset management objectives. 
• Data-Driven Program Management: Identify gaps in operational  Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of SAM programs, including cost savings, compliance adherence, and license optimization, and proposes solutions to leadership. Leverage AI-driven analytics and reporting tools to monitor progress, identify and mitigate risks, and provide actionable insights to stakeholders.  
• Continuous SAM Development: Champion innovation with SAM by identifying opportunities to enhance tools, processes, and data integration to meet evolving business needs. Establish knowledge-sharing frameworks, such as playbooks, templates, and best practices, to scale SAM capabilities across organization. Act as a thought leader in SAM, inspiring teams to adopt proactive, AI-enabled, and results-driven approaches to program delivery. 
   

You own this if you have…  

• 7+ years’ experience managing large-scale, cross-functional programs, with a focus on Software Asset Management (SAM) 
• 7+ years of proven ability to deliver high-impact programs (multimillion-dollar programs) while overcoming challenges and exceeding stakeholder expectations 
• Deep knowledge of SAM principles, software lifecycle management, and software licensing models 
• Expert knowledge of FlexeraOne, including foundational back-end knowledge 
• Familiarity with major software vendors both on-premise and cloud (e.g. Oracle, Google, Azure, AWS) to ensure compliance and cost optimization. 
• Proven ability to manage software audits and ensure audit readiness 
• Executive stakeholder management – able to brief VP/CTO level, ability to be a strategic storyteller and distill complex data into action-oriented exec narratives 
• Ability to inspire others, engage in healthy debate, including demonstrated experience leading strong teams and be a change catalyst