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 Service Now 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.

Must be eligible to work in the US without company sponsorship.

This role will have a Hybrid work schedule, with the expectation of working in an office (Hartford, CT, Charlotte, NC, Columbus, OH or Chicago, IL) 3 days a week (Tuesday through Thursday).

• 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.
• Service Now SAM Pro Optimization:
  Maximize the use of Service Now 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…