SAM administrator
Location : Wayzata, MN
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced SAM Administrator to manage the software license estate for a long-term client engagement. The role owns license entitlement tracking, compliance, audit readiness, and cost optimization across major publishers, partnering with procurement, vendor management, security, infrastructure, and finance teams.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Maintain the software entitlement repository, including contracts, purchase records, license metrics, and rights (upgrade, downgrade, virtualization, BYOL).
- Reconcile software discovery/installation data against entitlements to produce an accurate Effective License Position (ELP) for key publishers (Microsoft, Adobe, Oracle, VMware, IBM, SAP, Salesforce, etc.).
- Monitor license compliance, identify over/under-licensing risks, and drive remediation with application owners and procurement.
- Prepare for and support vendor audits and self-audits, including data collection, response coordination, and negotiation support.
- Identify cost-savings opportunities such as shelfware, unused or underused licenses, reclamation, and right-sizing at renewal.
- Track contract renewals, true-ups, and expirations; provide renewal forecasts and recommendations to procurement and finance.
- Manage software request, approval, and reclamation workflows; validate software normalization and publisher/product catalogue accuracy in the SAM tool (SAM Pro and/or Flexera).
- Produce dashboards, KPIs, and compliance reports; define and improve SAM processes, policies, and documentation.
Skill Matrix
Mandatory Skills (Top 5 Keywords or skills) | Skill Proficiency | |||
Years of Experience | Basic Knowledge | Medium | Expert | |
Software Asset Management & License Compliance | 5+ | x | ||
SAM Tools: Flexera and/or SAM Pro | 3+ | x | ||
Publisher Licensing (Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, Oracle) | 3+ | x | ||
Software Audit Defense & ELP | 3+ | x |
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
