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- Tasks: Lead contract negotiations and optimise software costs for top private equity firms.
- Company: Alysian, a boutique advisory firm transforming value creation through technology.
- Benefits: Remote-first work, frontline PE exposure, and accelerated career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a measurable impact on business performance while working with leading tech and strategy.
- Qualifications: 10-20 years in software contracts, strong negotiation skills, and analytical mindset.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team shaping the future of tech advisory in private equity.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About the Company: Alysian is a high-performing, boutique advisory firm specializing in delivering tailored strategic and technological solutions for leading private equity firms and their portfolio companies. With decades of combined cross-sector expertise, Alysian excels in bridging commercial vision to reality with technology execution — enabling rapid value creation at enterprise scale. We operate with a uniquely agile delivery model, combining deep domain expertise in digital strategy, transformation, and technology innovation. Our entrepreneurial culture and speed-to-impact approach have earned us repeated impact recognition from leading PE firms. At Alysian, we build long-term partnerships grounded in trust, performance, and a relentless drive for client success.
Core values:
- Data Driven – Strategic advisory based on a depth of relevant data.
- Speed & Precision – Agile delivery with tangible results.
- Impact-Driven – Measurable outcomes aligned to strategy.
- Expertise & Trusted Advisor – Deep domain knowledge with integrity.
- Entrepreneurial – Proactive problem-solving and ownership mentality.
Overview of the role: Alysian is hiring a Senior Commercial Specialist (Enterprise Software) to lead contract negotiation, vendor sourcing, and software cost optimisation across client engagements and Private Equity portfolio companies. This role sits at the intersection of technology procurement, enterprise software licensing, and commercial strategy, with a strong focus on building data-driven, repeatable capabilities. Beyond delivery, you will help develop benchmark datasets, negotiation playbooks, and digital tools that transform how organisations manage software spend and vendor relationships. You will work closely with CIOs, CFOs, procurement teams, and PE operating partners to drive measurable value, typically delivering 20–30% cost savings, improved contract structures, and reduced vendor risk.
Responsibilities:
- Contract Negotiation & Commercial Optimisation
- Lead negotiations and renewals with major vendors (Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Workday, Adobe, etc.)
- Analyse contracts and spend to identify inefficiencies and savings opportunities
- Structure negotiation strategies and optimise pricing and licensing models
- Manage renewals, true-ups, and contract risk
- Manage end-to-end sourcing across software vendors, cloud providers, and system integrators
- Support major transformation programs (e.g., ERP implementations) from a commercial standpoint
- Evaluate supplier performance and use insights to strengthen negotiations
- Drive licence rationalisation, usage analysis, and contract restructuring
- Develop repeatable methodologies for SaaS cost optimisation
- Deliver measurable savings and improved commercial outcomes
- Build pricing benchmarks and SKU-level intelligence across key vendors
- Develop negotiation playbooks and commercial frameworks
- Provide data-driven insights to support client decision-making
- Translate insights into scalable tools, dashboards, and analytics (e.g., Zoho)
- Contribute to the development of Alysian’s technology value creation platform
- Enable AI-driven procurement and negotiation intelligence
Requirements:
- Experience
- 10–20 years in enterprise software contracts, sourcing, licensing, or commercial strategy
- Background in procurement, software asset management, vendor strategy, or consulting (e.g., Big4, Accenture, advisory firms)
- Strong experience negotiating with major enterprise software vendors
- Deep understanding of software licensing models and pricing structures
- Strong contract negotiation and commercial strategy capability
- Experience in vendor sourcing and supplier management
- Ability to build benchmarks, insights, and scalable frameworks
- Highly commercial and negotiation-driven
- Analytical, structured, and detail-oriented
- Curious about vendor pricing strategies and market dynamics
- Entrepreneurial mindset with interest in building new capabilities
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-impact environment
Benefits:
Why Join Alysian Consulting? Our vision is to become the leading independent boutique tech advisory firm, transforming value creation in private equity through technology and data. We partner with top-tier PE firms (mega-funds in Europe & the US) to drive sustainable growth for portfolio companies and communities. At Alysian, you’ll work at the intersection of technology, strategy, and investment—where every project has a measurable impact on business performance. We partner with top-tier private equity firms, giving you access to high-profile transformations, boardroom conversations, and some of the most exciting portfolio companies in the market.
We offer:
- Frontline PE exposure, from day one
- Client-facing work with US/EU Mega and Large Cap deal teams and PortCo CXOs; you lead modules that move EBITDA, not just make slides.
- Outcome ownership in small strike teams
- Leadership access, clear mandates, and the autonomy to design and ship cost-out / value-creation plays in weeks.
- Remote-first with limited travel
- Work from anywhere in the UK with sustainable US/EU overlap; optional office use; travel about 2–3 weeks/year.
- Builder’s seat in a scaling CoE
- Join the founding wave—shape operating models, codify playbooks, and help build the platform the firm scales on.
- Meritocracy with real velocity
- Progress based on outcomes; accelerated responsibility and pod leadership for top performers.
Join Alysian Consulting to build value beyond the deal. Help our clients leverage technology to reimagine businesses, transform operations, and unlock sustainable growth across industries, continents.
Head of Software Contract & Licensing Strategy in London employer: Alysian
Contact Detail:
Alysian Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software Contract & Licensing Strategy in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work with private equity or software licensing. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Alysian and its core values. Understand their approach to data-driven strategies and agile delivery. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their entrepreneurial culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves leading contract negotiations, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend. This will help you articulate your strategies and demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Alysian and contributing to their mission of transforming value creation.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Contract & Licensing Strategy in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Software Contract & Licensing Strategy role. Highlight your experience in contract negotiation and vendor management, and show how your skills align with Alysian's core values.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on measurable outcomes you've achieved, like cost savings or improved contract structures. We love data-driven results, so don’t shy away from sharing specific numbers that demonstrate your impact.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. Alysian values an entrepreneurial mindset, so share your unique approach to problem-solving and how you’ve taken ownership in previous roles. We want to see the real you!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alysian
✨Know Your Software Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the major enterprise software vendors like Microsoft, SAP, and Oracle. Familiarise yourself with their licensing models and pricing structures, as this knowledge will be crucial during your discussions.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Think through potential negotiation scenarios you might face in the role. Develop strategies for common challenges, such as contract renewals or vendor sourcing, and be ready to discuss how you would approach these situations.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to demonstrate your analytical capabilities. Bring examples of how you've identified inefficiencies in contracts or software spend in the past, and explain how you turned those insights into measurable savings.
✨Emphasise Your Entrepreneurial Mindset
Alysian values an entrepreneurial spirit, so highlight any experiences where you've taken ownership of projects or driven change. Share specific instances where your proactive problem-solving made a significant impact.