At FordDirect, our emphasis on diversity is much more than words. We encourage you to be yourself. We open our minds and doors to all walks of life, respecting and celebrating the uniqueness within each of us. We value the voice and contributions of all team members.

THE DIVERSITY OF OUR TEAM DRIVES US, INSPIRES US, AND MAKES US PROUD TO CALL FORDDIRECT HOME.

FordDirect is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please email FDHR@forddirect.com.  

Job Summary   
The Director, Market Area - Great Lakes role is responsible for leading the success of a market area team and the digital marketing success of the dealer and Ford Motor Company regional customers the market area team serves. 

The Director is responsible for implementing an overall sales, service and support strategy within their defined market area including account planning, goal setting, management, reporting, sales process optimization, escalated customer issue resolution, and market area team coaching and performance management.  It is expected that the Director, Market Area will be actively involved and physically established within assigned market area to maintain keen awareness of the market, its opportunities, and challenges. This role will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that FordDirect sales, dealer digital performance, and customer (Ford Motor Company and dealer) satisfaction objectives are aligned, reinforced, prioritized, and achieved.

As the leader of a market area team, this role will actively apply advanced knowledge of FordDirect’s full product portfolio, the automotive retail customer, digital marketing, market demographics, competitive landscape, and strategic priorities to provide direction and leadership to their field team. This includes developing and maintaining a strategic partnership with Ford Motor Company’s Market Area RDM and Regional Managers. The Director, Market Area will also be responsible for supporting and playing an active role in Tier 2 Regional Marketing activities, with FordDirect and Ford Motor Company team members.

Individuals must CURRENTLY reside in the CHICAGO or METRO DETROIT areas. 

This role requires extensive travel and will manage a team covering MI, OH, IL, MN, WI, MO, KY, and ND.  
 

Essential Functions

1. Proactively collaborate with Dealer Engagement leadership to maximize revenue growth, account penetration, customer
   experience and satisfaction. 
2. Work with Dealer Engagement leadership to define and deploy processes to continuously improve Dealer Engagement team performance.
3. Work on special projects to improve overall effectiveness of Dealer Engagement team.
4. Develop, communicate, monitor, and manage annual and quarterly sales goals for market area team.
5. Properly align team member activities with company, department, and market area objectives.
6. Ensure market area team adheres to sales methodology and processes and is informed of organizational updates.
7. Train and coach market area team in product knowledge, customer engagement, consulting techniques, activity tracking, time and territory management, presentation strategies, competition awareness, and proper use and resolution.
8. Act as a responsive point of escalation for problem resolution.
9. Align objectives and activities with key Ford Motor Company and FMC agency team members in designated market area.
10. Provide strategic direction in designated market area and digital marketing consultation and guidance to Ford Motor Company regional team members.
11. Review and approve team expenses in accordance with the Travel & Expense policy and recommend economies.  
12. Effectively and consistently represent FordDirect, our products and services, and value proposition to all stakeholders.
13. Represent the company with the highest level of professionalism, integrity and proactive knowledge of our offerings and solutions at meetings, conferences, trade shows and regional marketing events.
14. Interview, select, and onboard field team members ensuring that they are trained and prepared to perform optimally in their role.
15. Manage and coach team members for role performance, career progression and skill development as needed (i.e., set goals, provide performance feedback, and conduct performance reviews).
    

Travel Required (Approximate):  Extensive

Qualifications  At FordDirect, we believe in diversity as a strength. You're encouraged to apply even if your experience or background doesn't precisely match the job description.  Candidates who do not meet all listed qualifications may be considered based on the combination of relevant work experience and depth of expertise in job-related skills.

Experience

• Personal B-2-B solution selling and account management experience (10 years).
• Digital marketing experience working with automotive retail customers (5 years).
• Financial management and planning experience for Sales teams at both tactical and operations levels and financial goal setting.
• Sales team management experience in a consultative selling environment (5 years).  
• Development and facilitation of effective presentations at all levels of the company, to the field, dealers, and outside organizations.
• Experience managing a regional sales team.    

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• The drive to maximize revenue growth.
• Ability to effectively manage sales teams and analyze/interpret sales performance data and create improvement action plans.
• In-depth knowledge of Dealership digital applications including Leads, CRM, Advertising, Website behaviors, and best practices.
• Understanding of overall Dealership Operations including variable & fixed ops, profit centers, and the inter-connectivity.
• Proactively problem-solve and multitask while maintaining composure and attention to detail.
• Follow-through mindset to uphold a ‘close the loop’ culture. 
• A positive approach to serving customers and providing exceptional customer service.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment, high ethics and project a professional image. 
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member with a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• The drive to identify and seize opportunities for continuous improvement as business needs change.
• Excellent organization, flexibility and time management skills and the ability to work in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and business communication skills (written, verbal, listening).
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Solid people management skills and the ability to create a motivational environment for team members.
• Knowledge of HR-related principles such as goal setting, discrete communication, and performance management and feedback.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Technology, or equivalent of work experience and education

Note to Third-Party Agencies  FordDirect accepts resumes only from employment businesses/agencies with which we formally engage their services. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, FordDirect employees or hiring managers. FordDirect will not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies for vacancies posted on this site.