Enterprise Portfolio, Asset & AI Governance Manager

Neptune Technology Group Inc. is a technology company serving more than 4,000 water utilities across North America. We make data actionable using effective software and measurement systems that are interconnected by a smart network, with expertise and experience specifically focused on the business of water. The company’s story is rooted in loyalty to our customers and in sound stewardship. Neptune, as your most valued partner in water metering tools, technology, and connectivity, will connect you to what’s next in water. For additional information, visit www.neptunetg.com.

 

Enterprise Portfolio, Asset & AI Governance Manager

 Position Summary

As the Enterprise Portfolio, Asset & AI Governance Manager, you will manage and optimize Neptune’s application portfolio, technology asset lifecycle, and AI governance program across our enterprise landscape. You will lead the strategic evaluation, rationalization, and governance of enterprise software applications and emerging AI capabilities, ensuring optimal value delivery, cost efficiency, and alignment with business strategy.

 

Working as a bridge between IT leadership, business stakeholders, and vendor partners, you will manage the full lifecycle of enterprise applications from evaluation through retirement. Your responsibilities include application portfolio analysis, software license optimization, vendor relationship management, technology total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, asset governance, AI tool intake and evaluation, and driving decisions around application consolidation, replacement, and retirement strategies.

 

You will establish and maintain governance processes aligned with COBIT and ITIL frameworks, ensuring Neptune’s technology portfolio is managed with industry-standard rigor and transparency.

 

Objectives:

• Application Portfolio Management (35%)
  • Maintain comprehensive inventory and documentation of enterprise applications and integrations
  • Conduct regular application portfolio assessments including capability mapping, redundancy analysis, and health scoring aligned with COBIT BAI09 (Manage Assets) practices
  • Lead application rationalization initiatives to reduce complexity and eliminate redundant systems
  • Develop and maintain application lifecycle roadmaps aligned with business strategy and enterprise architecture
  • Perform business capability mapping to identify gaps and overlaps in the application portfolio
  • Create and maintain application portfolio dashboards and reporting for leadership visibility using tools such as PowerBI or Tableau
  • Apply ITIL Service Asset & Configuration Management practices to ensure accurate configuration and dependency tracking

 

• Software Asset & License Management (25%)
  • Manage enterprise software licensing including renewals, compliance, and optimization across on-premises and SaaS environments
  • Conduct software license true-ups and coordinate vendor audit responses
  • Track and optimize software subscriptions, maintenance agreements, and consumption-based licensing
  • Analyze software utilization metrics to identify shelfware and optimization opportunities
  • Negotiate contract renewals and ensure favorable commercial terms with software vendors
  • Maintain software asset repository and license compliance documentation aligned with COBIT BAI09 and relevant compliance frameworks
  • Partner with procurement and legal on software contracts and vendor agreements

 

• Financial Analysis & Vendor Management (20%)
  • Develop and track total cost of ownership (TCO) models for enterprise applications including cloud, SaaS, and on-premises deployments
  • Build business cases for application investments, consolidations, or retirements with clear ROI analysis
  • Manage vendor relationships for key enterprise software platforms
  • Conduct market research on emerging technologies and alternative solutions
  • Lead RFP/RFI processes for enterprise software evaluation and selection
  • Track and report on software spend, utilization, and value realization across the portfolio
  • Apply FinOps principles to optimize cloud and SaaS expenditure

 

• AI Portfolio Governance & Enablement (10%)
  • Maintain an inventory of AI capabilities across the enterprise application portfolio, including embedded AI features (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, vendor-native AI), standalone AI tools, and internal developments
  • Lead the intake and evaluation process for new AI tools and platforms, ensuring alignment with Neptune’s AI governance framework and acceptable use policies
  • Partner with Security & Compliance on AI risk assessments including data privacy, model transparency, bias evaluation, and acceptable use
  • Collaborate with development teams and external partners to identify, prioritize, and track internal AI use cases
  • Track AI-related licensing, consumption costs, and value realization across the portfolio
  • Monitor the evolving AI landscape across key vendors to inform technology roadmap decisions
  • Support AI governance committee with portfolio data, adoption metrics, and compliance reporting

 

• Governance & Strategic Planning (10%)
  • Establish and enforce application portfolio governance processes and standards aligned with COBIT APO02 (Manage Strategy) and BAI09 (Manage Assets) frameworks
  • Support enterprise architecture decisions with portfolio data, analysis, and recommendations
  • Participate in IT investment planning and annual budgeting processes
  • Collaborate with Security & Compliance teams on application risk assessments and audit readiness
  • Create portfolio management policies, procedures, and best practices documentation
  • Present portfolio insights and recommendations to leadership and steering committees
  • Maintain alignment with ITIL practices for service asset management and continual improvement

 

Requirements:

• Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field; OR equivalent combination of education and 10+ years of relevant professional experience. Master's degree preferred.
• Experience
  • 7+ years of experience in IT with at least 3+ years in application portfolio management, software asset management, or IT financial management roles
  • Proven experience managing enterprise application portfolios in complex multi-system environments
  • Experience with software license management and vendor negotiations
  • Demonstrated success conducting application rationalization and portfolio optimization initiatives
  • Background in IT financial analysis including TCO modeling and business case development
  • Experience with or exposure to AI tools, platforms, or governance frameworks
• Interpersonal Skills
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex technical concepts to executive audiences
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision with pragmatic execution
  • Strong influencing and negotiation skills to drive architectural decisions across the organization
  • Able to work effectively with diverse stakeholders including business leaders, IT teams, and external partners
  • Collaborative leadership style with ability to build consensus across functional boundaries
• Technical Skills
  • Expertise in application portfolio management methodologies and tools
  • Strong knowledge of software licensing models (perpetual, subscription, consumption-based, etc.)
  • Experience with portfolio management platforms (ServiceNow, LeanIX, Alfabet, Apptio, or similar)
  • Proficiency with financial analysis tools and TCO modeling
  • Understanding of enterprise application architectures and integration patterns
  • Familiarity with ERP platforms, CRM systems, and enterprise software suites
  • Knowledge of software compliance frameworks and audit processes
  • Experience with contract management and vendor relationship management
  • Strong data analysis skills for portfolio reporting
  • Ability to create executive-level dashboards and visualizations (PowerBI, Tableau)
  • Understanding of cloud economics, SaaS financial models, and FinOps practices
  • Familiarity with AI/ML tools, platforms, and AI licensing models (per-seat, consumption-based, API-based)
  • Understanding of COBIT and ITIL frameworks as applied to asset and portfolio governance

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• ITIL Foundation or higher certification
• COBIT Foundation or equivalent IT governance certification
• Certified Software Asset Manager (CSAM) or equivalent certification
• Familiarity with AI governance frameworks (NIST AI RMF, ISO/IEC 42001)
• Experience with enterprise ERP platforms and related software ecosystems
• Background in water utilities, industrial manufacturing, or similar industries
• Experience supporting large-scale ERP implementations and application transformations
• Familiarity with FinOps practices and cloud cost optimization
• PMP or similar project management certification

 

Location: Tallassee, AL or Duluth, GA

 

Equal Opportunity Employer EEO/AA M/F/Vet Disability