License Manager

License Manager – Job Profile

About Us

GKN Automotive is the market leader in conventional, all-wheel and electrified drive systems and solutions. With a comprehensive global footprint, we design, develop, manufacture and integrate an extensive range of driveline technologies for over 90% of the world’s car manufacturers.

Role purpose

We are seeking an experienced License Manager to join our global service management team. This role is critical in ensuring compliance, optimizing software investments, and aligning licensing strategies with organizational goals. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in Microsoft and Oracle licensing, with expertise in compliance and optimization strategies, using Snow / Flexera software.

Key responsibilities

1. Manage and optimize software licenses across the organization, with a primary focus on major vendor products, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
2. Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with licensing agreements, identifying and resolving discrepancies to mitigate risks and avoid penalties.
3. Develop and implement critical initiatives to optimize software usage, reduce costs, and increase value from license investments.
4. Negotiate with vendors to secure favorable licensing terms and conditions, ensuring cost-efficiency and compliance with organizational standards.
5. Provide expert advice and solutions for complex licensing scenarios, enabling informed decision-making for internal collaborators.
6. Stay up-to-date with changes in licensing models and technologies, proactively communicating potential impacts and opportunities to the business.
7. Collaborate closely with IT, Procurement, and Finance teams to align software asset management practices with broader organizational goals.
8. Implement and maintain robust software asset management tools and processes to streamline operations and improve visibility of license usage.
9. Train and mentor internal teams and collaborators on licensing best practices, compliance requirements, and optimization techniques.
10. Leverage analytics and forecasting tools to predict licensing needs and optimize procurement strategies for both current and future requirements.

Skills

Professional Experience

Minimum of 5 years of experience in software license management, with demonstrated success in optimizing enterprise licensing agreements and ensuring compliance in large-scale environments.

Technical Expertise

In-depth knowledge of Microsoft and Oracle licensing models, policies, and compliance requirements.

Experience with software asset management tools and methodologies.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel for data analysis.

Familiarity with software asset management tools (e.g., Lansweeper, Flexera, Snow Software).

Understanding of cloud licensing models and optimization techniques.

Knowledge of IT infrastructure, including virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) and cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS).

Soft Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.

Certifications and Additional Skills

ITIL Certification (highly desirable)

Certifications in SAM-related areas (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, Oracle Certified Professional) are highly desirable.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or equivalent experience in software asset management.