Software Strategic Sourcing Advisor - Principal Consultant

Software Strategic Sourcing Advisor Principal Consultant - DACH

ISG (Information Services Group) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. As a trusted business partner, we help corporations, public sector organizations, and services and software providers achieve operational excellence and business growth through digital transformation, market intelligence, and industry best practices. Our services encompass research, benchmarking, consulting, and managed services, providing unparalleled insights into the evolving technology landscape.

Position Overview

ISG seeks a Software Strategic Sourcing Advisor (Advisor) with a minimum of 7 years of software cloud and on‑premise license negotiations, cost modeling, scenario analysis, opportunity identification, benchmarking, pricing analysis, and commercial term analysis. The Advisor is expected to lead projects for mid‑size to large software sourcing engagements and critical workstreams for complex multi‑software sourcing engagements. The ideal candidate should possess analytical, problem‑solving, conceptual, and creative thinking, organizational, time‑management, and strong verbal and written communication skills and leverage those skills to review client data, create Excel models from that data, extract key insights from the data and models to prepare and deliver a negotiation strategy to the client and then assist the client in executing on that strategy to negotiate with the supplier to drive an optimal outcome. While this position is under the supervision of a Director in the United States, the individual in this role will work with the local ISG Partners and Business Development Executives to help support sales opportunities to understand the scope and ensure Partner in the United States is pulled in for support. The individual in this role is expected to operate independently and work with clients to develop effective software sourcing strategies and implementation plans while providing high customer satisfaction results to our clients.

Requirements

• Ability to interface with clients and client prospects to outline ISG’s portfolio of software advisory services, assess prospective client software requirements, and work collaboratively with the ISG practice director(s) and account manager(s) to develop client solutions and propose software advisory services
• 7+ years of cloud and on‑premise (i.e., perpetual, term, and subscription) software strategic sourcing (not transactional) focus
• Possess quantitative analysis (financial and price modeling – both the creation of the model itself and performing the analysis from which a negotiation strategy is determined, requires comprehension of complex business objectives and a high level of attention to detail)
• Experience with negotiating agreements with leading software vendors (such as SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Oracle, VMWare, Dell/EMC, and IBM/Red Hat), including understanding of their commercial models, licensing metrics, market positioning, and sales tactics, and corresponding vendor‑specific sourcing strategies
• Strong expertise in SAP or Microsoft a must
• Past experience with structuring and leading negotiations not supporting, this is very critical
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to work with multiple stakeholders across a client organization
• Ability to clearly define projects, objectives, goals, schedules, and assignments
• Project management (simple to complex): able to handle and prioritize multiple projects
• Presenting and selling ideas at various levels in a large organization, including support for and participation in ISG sales pursuits and presentations
• Understanding of enterprise sourcing cultures and behaviors
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including the ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Advanced Excel skills
• Software provider research and market analysis skills
• Identify and cultivate additional projects within existing clients and support sales calls as required
• Support our brand by authoring web articles, creating market collaterals (such as case studies, etc.), and delivering presentations at ISG and other events on critical issues, trends, and strategies affecting software licensing and digital transformation

Education

• Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in a technical or scientific field, ideally in information technology, finance, engineering, math/analytics, or equivalent work experience

Travel

• Generally, less than 20% required.

Computer Literacy

• Proficient in business collaboration and analytics tools (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.).

Location

• Remote, but proximity to key markets is a plus.

At ISG, we don’t just accept difference—we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it to benefit our employees, clients, and communities. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. ISG is proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. The more diverse and inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

The duties and responsibilities described in this job description may be a partial list. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time, and the job scope may change as business demands require.