Customer Account Manager - Automotive

Job Summary

Dealers United is seeking an elite Account Manager who can serve as a strategic partner to automotive dealerships, not just a vendor managing campaigns. This role demands someone who can translate complex digital marketing data into dealership language, defend performance with market-level insights, handle high-stakes objections with confidence, and identify revenue opportunities that dealers don't see themselves. You need to drive the value in what we bring in the form of our performance reviews and meetings.

You'll manage a book of business consisting of car dealerships investing $5,000-$50,000+ monthly in digital marketing (SEM, SEO, Social Media, Streaming TV, Email Marketing). Success in this role requires equal parts strategic thinking, sales acumen, technical fluency, and the emotional intelligence to navigate dealership politics and budget pressures.

This is not an order-taking role. We need someone who can educate, challenge, and guide dealers toward smart marketing investments—even when it's uncomfortable. If you thrive on proving value, solving complex problems, and turning skeptical clients into advocates, this role is for you.

What You'll Actually Do: Strategic Account Management (40% of role)

• Own monthly performance meetings where you prove ROI, handle objections, and maintain dealer confidence in Dealers United's value
• Provide market-level context for every performance discussion—never just compare dealers to themselves month-over-month; show them where they stand against competitors, market trends, and industry benchmarks
• Translate data into business outcomes: Turn "1,200 clicks" into "37 qualified shoppers on your lot who would've gone to your competitor without us"
• Defend against churn by proactively addressing concerns, quantifying value, and reframing complaints as solvable problems
• Navigate dealership roles: Understand that the GM controls budget, the Marketing Director champions you internally, and the Sales Manager wants more leads—you need to manage all three

Consultative Sales & Upselling (10% of role)

• Identify gaps in dealer strategies through data analysis—high traffic but low conversions? Aged inventory sitting on the lot? Losing impression share to competitors? Each gap is an upsell opportunity.
• Position products as solutions, not features: Don't pitch Email Marketing—solve their problem of 89% of website visitors leaving without converting
• Quantify ROI before asking for budget: "If we move 4 aged units 20 days faster, you'll save $6,000 in carrying costs. This product costs $1,500/month. That's a 4X return."
• Pilot programs over commitments: Reduce risk by offering 30-60 day tests with clear success metrics
• Protect against underfunded campaigns: Have the integrity to walk away from deals where budget is insufficient to deliver results—we'd rather have no client than an unhappy client who churns in 90 days

Client Retention & Relationship Building (50% of role)

• Be proactive, not reactive: Identify performance issues before dealers complain; propose solutions before they ask
• Build trust through transparency: When performance struggles, own it and explain why (market downturn, competitive pressure, pricing issues on their end)
• Become indispensable: Position yourself as the expert they call for advice on inventory strategy, competitive intelligence, and market trends—not just the person who sends reports
• Handle crisis situations: Budget cuts, GM turnover, competitive threats, service failures—you're the firewall between chaos and cancellation

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Are you located in the United States and eligible for W2 work status?
• Do you understand digital marketing metrics related to SEO, SEM, Email Marketing, Streaming/OTT, and Social Ads?
• Are you familiar with managing digital marketing strategies for car dealerships of all sizes?
• Are you comfortable being in customer facing meetings frequently?

Experience:

• automotive: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: Remote