Enterprise Portfolio, Asset & AI Governance Manager

About the Company

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.

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Required Skills

• 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.

Preferred Skills

• 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.