Principal, Financial Operations & Software Asset Management

Overview

This principal-level individual contributor role drives enterprise Financial Operations (FinOps) and Software Asset Management (SAM) capabilities to support smarter technology investment decisions. The position will establish and mature processes, governance, standards, controls, and reporting that increase transparency, accountability, and optimization across cloud services, software licensing, SaaS platforms, AI services, and related technology investments.

Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve enterprise FinOps processes, operating model, standards, controls, and decision rights, including governance rhythms that connect technology consumption with forecasts, budgets, and accountability.
• Partner across Finance, Procurement, Engineering, Product, Architecture, Security, and technology platform teams to embed FinOps practices into technology planning and delivery.
• Design and maintain reusable dashboards, scorecards, allocation views, and reporting assets that increase visibility into technology cost and consumption.
• Establish common metrics, data definitions, tagging and allocation expectations, and reporting standards to improve consistency and trust; translate cost, utilization, forecast, and trend data into actionable insights.
• Own and mature SAM processes across licensed software, SaaS subscriptions, renewals, entitlements, and utilization to improve inventory visibility, license compliance, and renewal readiness.
• Identify opportunities to reclaim unused licenses, right-size subscriptions, consolidate overlapping solutions, and reduce unnecessary spend while supporting business needs.
• Analyze cloud, software, platform, data, and AI consumption to surface emerging cost drivers, anomalies, risks, and optimization opportunities.
• Develop recommendations that balance cost, performance, resilience, security, and business value; partner with accountable teams on informed decision-making.
• Maintain an optimization opportunity pipeline and track recommendations, decisions, cost avoidance, realized savings, and other measures of value.
• Empower teams to understand cost drivers through reusable playbooks, standards, training, office hours, and self-service resources; continuously improve FinOps and SAM practices based on stakeholder feedback and operational results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in FinOps, cloud financial management, Software Asset Management, technology operations, technology finance, procurement, or related disciplines.
• Experience establishing governance and reporting capabilities within complex, matrixed organizations; ability to influence meaningful outcomes without direct authority.
• Skills in FinOps and cloud financial management, SAM and SaaS governance, and technology budgeting, forecasting, allocation, showback, and chargeback concepts.
• Experience working with cloud services, SaaS platforms, software licensing, and AI consumption, or readiness to apply financial operations expertise across these areas.
• Strong data analysis and financial modeling skills, including dashboard design, KPI development, and executive reporting; proficiency with Power BI and Excel.
• Understanding of software licensing, vendor and contract analysis, renewal planning, cost optimization, benefits tracking, process design, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to translate complex financial and operational data into clear, practical recommendations for technical and business stakeholders.
• Effective communication and facilitation skills; able to build alignment among Engineering, Product, Finance, Procurement, Architecture, Security, vendors, and technology leaders.
• Systems-thinking mindset with an emphasis on scalable processes, transparency, and enabling others to make better decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• FinOps Certified Practitioner, Certified Software Asset Manager, IT Asset Management, cloud platform, or a related certification.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $137,500.00 - $185,600.00
• Competitive pay and bonuses
• Financial planning and wellbeing benefits
• Time away from work
• Extras, discounts, and perks
• Growth and development opportunities
• Health and wellness programs

Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Location

• US (Remote)
• Approved states for applicants: Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington
• Salary range posted reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in Goleta, California (Remote).

Equal Employment Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, or other protected characteristics.