Job Summary: We are seeking an experienced Sr Software Asset Management (SAM) License Analyst who serves as the organization’s subject matter expert in managing and responding to external and internal software license audits. This role is central to ensuring audit readiness, supporting vendor audits, and interpreting complex licensing models and entitlements. The ideal candidate brings deep understanding of the software audit landscape, risk exposure analysis, and vendor compliance enforcement. This position will partner closely with procurement, legal, IT, and finance teams to maintain audit controls and support enterprise compliance with license agreements. The candidate must be willing to work on site 4 days a week in Hyderabad, during US EST time zone.
Key Responsibilities:
Audit Response & Management:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for software and vendor license audits initiated by third-party vendors or auditors.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams (IT, procurement, legal, finance) to gather required data, documents, and evidence for audits.
- Interpret requests from auditors and ensure timely, complete, and accurate responses while protecting the organization’s interests.
- Manage audit timelines and ensure audit activities are conducted efficiently and within legal and contractual boundaries.
Audit Landscape & Risk Profiling:
- Maintain a current audit landscape profile of high-risk vendors (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Adobe) and their audit practices.
- Develop and maintain an audit risk matrix based on vendor contract terms, license models, and past audit history.
- Identify vendors with potential audit exposure and proactively engage stakeholders to mitigate risk.
Licensing Compliance Analysis:
- Analyze software entitlements, deployment data, and actual usage across environments (on-premise, cloud, hybrid).
- Compare usage vs. entitlement to identify under-licensing, over-licensing, or misaligned deployments.
- Provide licensing expertise and interpretations of complex licensing models (SaaS, perpetual, subscription, consumption-based).
Documentation & Controls:
- Maintain audit documentation libraries including vendor correspondence, contract terms, deployment evidence, and audit reports.
- Develop and improve audit response templates, checklists, and workflows to ensure consistent and defensible audit responses.
- Support the creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for audit handling and software license control.
Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting:
- Partner with internal stakeholders to explain audit findings, recommend corrective actions, and support remediation.
- Deliver periodic reports and dashboards on audit status, exposure, and trends to executive leadership and compliance committees.
- Provide advisory support during contract renewals or renegotiations to address past audit issues and future compliance planning.
Audit Preparedness & Education:
- Lead internal mock audits or dry runs to evaluate readiness for upcoming vendor audits.
- Conduct awareness sessions and training for IT and procurement stakeholders on license audit risks and mitigation strategies.
- Recommend tools, practices, and governance frameworks to support ongoing license compliance.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business, Accounting, or a related field.
- 4–7 years of experience in software license compliance, audit management, or software asset management (SAM).
- Proven experience handling third-party software audits from vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Adobe, etc.
- Experience in a Vendor Management Office or working with procurement/legal/IT on licensing matters is highly desirable.
Skills & Knowledge:
- Strong understanding of software licensing models (perpetual, SaaS, subscription, user/device-based, cloud usage).
- Familiarity with contract language related to licensing and audit rights.
- Working knowledge of audit processes, risk management, and compliance frameworks.
- High attention to detail in interpreting licensing terms, product use rights (PURs), and deployment metrics.
- Strong project management, coordination, and documentation skills.
Tools & Systems:
- Experience with SAM tools (e.g., Flexera, Snow, ServiceNow Software Asset Management, Aspera).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, data analysis) and collaboration tools (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, PowerPoint).
- Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) and ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow) a plus.
Cultural Awareness: Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and manage teams across different time zones.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret and cross-reference large datasets and licensing entitlements.
Negotiation Awareness: Understanding how audit outcomes impact vendor relationships and contract negotiations.
Risk Management: Ability to assess, communicate, and mitigate audit risks effectively.
Stakeholder Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially under time-sensitive audit scrutiny.
Discretion & Integrity: Must handle sensitive vendor communications and legal matters with the utmost confidentiality.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Software Asset Manager (CSAM) – IAITAM
- Certified IT Asset Manager (CITAM)
- ITIL Foundation
- Licensing-specific certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Licensing Specialist)
About Us: We are a leading organization committed to leveraging technology to drive business success. Our team is dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and delivering exceptional results. Join us and be a part of a dynamic and forward-thinking company.
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:
- We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
- We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
- We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.
Our Approach to Flexible Work:
We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.
Who We Are:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.
Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.
Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment.
Videos to watch:
The Culture at Mattel
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