IT Manager – Software Asset Management (SAM)

KBR, Inc.•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

KBR is seeking an experienced IT Manager – Software Asset Management (SAM) to join our Corporate IT team in Houston, TX and lead the governance, optimization, and lifecycle management of software assets across our global enterprise. This role plays a critical part in strengthening enterprise IT governance and financial stewardship, ensuring licensing compliance, cost efficiency, and operational effectiveness within a highly regulated government contracting environment. In this role, you will drive measurable impact on cost optimization and compliance while supporting global operations across both government and commercial programs. You will work within a collaborative, mission-driven IT organization focused on delivering secure, scalable, and efficient technology solutions. The successful candidate will oversee the full software asset lifecycle and serve as the primary interface with software resellers, distributors, and strategic licensing partners. This position requires expertise in enterprise licensing models, audit readiness, and alignment with financial, contractual, and cybersecurity requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business, or a related field.
7+ years of experience in Software Asset Management (SAM), IT Asset Management (ITAM), or software licensing
3+ years of leadership experience managing IT or SAM functions and teams
Strong expertise in enterprise software licensing models (SaaS, subscription, and perpetual)
Proven experience working with software resellers, vendors, and enterprise agreements
Hands-on experience with SAM tools (e.g., ServiceNow SAM Pro) and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Demonstrated ability to negotiate vendor contracts and manage complex licensing agreements
Strong analytical, financial management, and problem-solving skills
High attention to detail with a focus on compliance, audit readiness, and risk mitigation
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical teams and executive leadership
Process-driven mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence

Nice To Haves

Experience in government contracting or other highly regulated industries
Familiarity with FAR, DFARS, and audit/compliance frameworks
Experience managing cloud licensing and cost optimization (Azure, AWS, SaaS platforms)
Experience with financial systems (e.g., Costpoint) and integration with procurement workflows

Responsibilities

Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of software assets, including request, approval, procurement, deployment, utilization tracking, renewal, and retirement
Maintain authoritative records of software entitlements and deployments across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments
Ensure integration with CMDB and ITSM platforms (e.g., ServiceNow)
Drive standardization, automation, and continuous improvement of SAM processes
Lead, mentor, and develop team members to enhance capability, consistency, and best practices
Serve as the primary liaison with resellers, VARs, distributors, and OEM vendors
Manage and optimize enterprise agreements (e.g., Microsoft EA, Adobe, Oracle, SAP)
Negotiate pricing, terms, renewals, and true-ups in partnership with Procurement and Legal
Support strategic sourcing initiatives and preferred reseller programs
Ensure compliance with vendor licensing terms and applicable government contracting requirements
Lead preparation and response for vendor audits and internal compliance reviews
Develop and enforce software usage policies aligned with cybersecurity and regulatory standards
Minimize audit risk exposure and potential financial penalties
Identify and execute opportunities to reduce software spend through license optimization and usage analysis
Partner with Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, and chargeback models
Manage subscription licensing and cloud consumption (e.g., Microsoft 365, Azure)
Deliver measurable cost savings and improved ROI on software investments
Develop and deliver executive-level dashboards and reporting on: License utilization, Compliance posture, Cost trends and savings initiatives
Provide actionable insights to IT leadership and business stakeholders
Lead and mature the software asset management function within a collaborative, mission-driven IT environment
Partner cross functionally to strengthen governance, improve compliance posture, and optimize enterprise software investments
Support global operations and enterprise initiatives, including digital transformation and cloud adoption