Software Asset Category Manager London

Nscale is the GPU cloud engineered for AI. We provide cost-effective, high-performance infrastructure for AI start-ups and large enterprise customers. Nscale enables AI-focused companies to achieve superior results by reducing the complexity of AI development. Our GPU cloud bolsters technical capabilities and directly supports strategic business outcomes, including cost management, rapid innovation, and environmental responsibility. We thrive on a culture of relentless innovation, ownership, and accountability, where every team member takes pride in their work and drives it with excellence and urgency. As an Nscaler, you'll build trust through openness and transparency, where everyone is inspired to do their best work. If you join our team, you'll be contributing to building the technology that powers the future.

About The Role

We're seeking a Software Asset Category Manager to take ownership of Nscale's software licensing, vendor relationships, and technology procurement strategy. This role sits at the intersection of Tech operations, finance, and business enablement, ensuring we maximize value from our software investments, maintain compliance, and support teams with the tools they need to operate at peak efficiency. You'll be the strategic partner to our Internal TechOps team, Finance, and department heads, translating business needs into smart procurement decisions while optimizing costs and managing vendor relationships across our growing organization.

What You'll Do

• Software Asset Management & Compliance

• Own the complete software asset lifecycle: discovery, procurement, deployment, usage tracking, and retirement.
• Maintain an accurate, auditable software inventory across all Nscale locations and systems.
• Ensure compliance with software licensing agreements, conducting regular audits and reconciliations.
• Proactively identify and remediate licensing risks, overages, and non-compliance issues.
• Manage software license renewals, upgrades, and negotiations to optimise spend.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key software vendors and resellers.
• Conduct market analysis and competitive benchmarking to inform category strategy.
• Negotiate contracts, licensing terms, and volume discounts to drive cost efficiency.
• Evaluate new tools and solutions against business requirements, total cost of ownership, and strategic fit.
• Manage vendor performance, SLAs, and escalations.
• Analyze software spend patterns and identify opportunities for consolidation, renegotiation, or elimination.
• Forecast software spend and budget requirements; track actuals against forecasts.
• Support finance with accurate software asset valuations for balance sheet and audit purposes.
• Drive adoption of cost-effective alternatives and open-source solutions where appropriate.
• Partner with TechOps, HR, Finance, and department heads to understand software needs and pain points.
• Provide clear guidance on approved tools, licensing policies, and procurement processes.
• Educate teams on license optimisation, compliance, and responsible software usage.
• Communicate software roadmap, policy changes, and cost-saving initiatives across the organization.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes with accurate license allocation and deallocation.

• Process & Continuous improvement

• Design and implement software procurement policies, approval workflows, and governance frameworks.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards to track software spend, compliance, and utilization.
• Identify and implement automation opportunities (e.g., license tracking, renewal alerts, usage analytics).
• Stay current with industry trends, licensing models, and emerging tools relevant to Nscale's business.
• Contribute to IT strategy and technology roadmap planning.

About You

• Experience & Background

• 5+ years in software asset management, vendor management, Technology procurement, or category management.
• Proven track record managing software licensing across multiple vendors and deployment models.
• Experience with SaaS, perpetual licenses, open-source, and hybrid licensing models.
• Familiarity with software asset management (SAM) tools and practices.
• Background in a fast-paced, high-growth tech or scale-up environment preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills; comfort with data‑driven decision‑making.
• Excellent negotiation and vendor management capabilities.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis (Excel, SQL, or BI tools).
• Clear communication skills—able to explain complex licensing and financial concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Organized, detail‑oriented, and methodical in managing compliance and audit requirements.
• Proactive mindset; ability to spot inefficiencies and drive improvements.
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments with competing priorities.

• Technical Familiarity

• Understanding of IT infrastructure, cloud platforms, and common enterprise software categories.
• Familiarity with ITIL processes and IT governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of compliance frameworks (SOC 2, ISO 27001) and their software licensing implications.
• Experience with IT service management (ITSM) tools and HRIS/payroll systems a plus.

• Mindset

• Ownership mentality: you take end‑to‑end responsibility for outcomes.
• Pragmatism: you balance perfection with shipping useful solutions quickly.
• Collaboration: you influence without authority and build trust across teams.
• Curiosity: you stay informed on industry trends and emerging tools.

What We Can Offer You

At Nscale, you'll find a collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment where your contributions spark real impact. We're building something extraordinary, and we want you at the core.

• Highly competitive package (base + equity) with reviews every 12 months.
• Join the fastest-growing tech startup, your chance to push boundaries, collaborate with brilliant minds, and make your mark on cutting‑edge AI.
• Dynamic progression plan tailored to your ambitions.
• Grow by trying new things, leading, challenging the status quo, and owning your impact, always with our full support.
• Human‑First Flexibility: We treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy to shape your day around life's moments.

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. If there's anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know.

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