License Operations Manager

Manager - LicenseOps (EU and NA Shift)

The LicenseOps Manager will lead Wolters Kluwer’s global LicenseOps function, overseeing software license lifecycle operations, optimization strategy, and harvesting practices. This role is central to driving savings, strengthening governance, and maturing the software asset management (SAM) operating model.

You will manage a team of LicenseOps executives, shape and improve processes, build optimization frameworks, and partner closely with SAM, Procurement, Finance, GIS, and business stakeholders to unlock value across thousands of software vendors. The role is part of an evolving target operating model that relies on centralized portal management, increasing automation, and proactive optimization initiatives

Responsibilities

1. Software Optimization & Harvesting Leadership

• Identify savings opportunities using optimization levers such as reclaiming inactive licenses, removing terminated users, reducing non usage, and consolidating renewals.
• Conduct quarterly and ad hoc usage analyses across products to inform cost efficiency decisions.
• Build business cases for optimization opportunities and partner with stakeholders to drive adoption and operational change.
• Lead harvesting cycles, ensuring reclaimed licenses are moved back into available pools and reported accurately.

2. LicenseOps Function Management

• Lead and develop a team of LicenseOps Executives responsible for assignment workflows, portal administration, and lifecycle governance.
• Maintain strong operational controls over license assignment, reassignment, and entitlement accuracy.
• Ensure consistent intake, qualification, and routing of license requests through Coupa and other systems.
• Drive the team to qualify new software requests using available tools, catalog data, and entitlement records to avoid duplicative or unnecessary purchases.
• Improve cycle times, reduce friction, and enhance automation across operational workflows.

3. Catalogue Management

• Own and maintain the WK Software Catalogue, ensuring it reflects accurate, up to date product listings, naming conventions, and entitlement information.
• Apply and enforce approved software taxonomy so that all software is categorized consistently across vendor, product family, deployment type, and entitlement structure.
• Work with SAM, Procurement, and GIS to ensure the catalogue supports sourcing strategies, request qualifications, optimization analysis, and operational governance.
• Expand catalogue coverage as new vendors, deployments, and product types are onboarded into the LicenseOps operating model.

4. Operating Model & Process Improvement

• Enhance the LicenseOps operating model through automation, improved tooling, and workflow redesign.
• Standardize communication templates, approval flows, and intake processes to reduce cycle times and increase governance.
• Partner with cross functional teams (SAM, EAM, Procurement, GIS, Finance) to strengthen controls, integrations, and renewal alignment.

5. Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Partner with Procurement and Sourcing to influence purchase decisions, avoid maverick spending, and shape negotiation strategy.
• Work with Finance on chargeback models, cost allocation validation, and savings reporting.
• Provide leadership ready reporting including optimization dashboards, usage analysis, entitlement risks, and operational KPIs.
• Ensure audit ready documentation, process adherence, and strong entitlement management governance.

Skills

Technical & Domain Skills

• Strong understanding of software licensing models (SaaS, subscription, named user, capacity‑based, perpetual), SAM practices, and enterprise license portals with at least 12+ years in the Software industry
• Expertise in optimization techniques, usage analytics, and entitlement management.
• Familiarity with procurement systems (Coupa), ITSM tools, AD group structures, and renewal workflows.
• Experience interpreting usage data to recommend actionable cost optimization strategies.

Leadership & Strategic Skills

• Capability to lead and develop a growing LicenseOps team
• Ability to influence cross‑functional stakeholders, from Procurement to Finance to Business Units.
• Strong storytelling and business‑case creation skills to justify optimization initiatives.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to redesign workflows and implement automation.

Operational Skills

• Strong attention to detail in entitlement accuracy and lifecycle activities.
• Proficiency with data analysis, Excel, and BI dashboards.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, escalations, and high‑volume workflows.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and process governance.

Our Interview Practices

To maintain a fair and genuine hiring process, we kindly ask that all candidates participate in interviews without the assistance of AI tools or external prompts. Our interview process is designed to assess your individual skills, experiences, and communication style. We value authenticity and want to ensure we’re getting to know you—not a digital assistant. To help maintain this integrity, we ask to remove virtual backgrounds and include in-person interviews in our hiring process. Please note that use of AI-generated responses or third-party support during interviews will be grounds for disqualification from the recruitment process.

Applicants may be required to appear onsite at a Wolters Kluwer office as part of the recruitment process.

Experience Level

Mid Level