AVP, Dealer Relationship Manager – Pensacola, FL
About The Position
Santander is a global financial services company and one of the nation’s top five auto finance providers, partnering with more than 14,000 dealerships to provide financing for prime and non-prime customers. The Dealer Relationship Manager (DRM) is an outside sales representative who builds and maintains partnerships with franchised and independent dealerships in the Pensacola, Florida territory. The associate must reside within the assigned territory to service clients, meet with prospects, and attend in-person meetings and events. The role drives loan originations and dealer engagement by promoting Santander auto finance programs, OEM programs, small business and dealer commercial products, and digital services. The DRM educates dealership partners on products, program guidelines, underwriting policies, and digital tools, while providing responsive service and coordinating with internal teams to resolve issues. The position also involves tracking dealer performance, identifying market opportunities, representing Santander at industry events, and ensuring compliant dealer interactions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Marketing, or equivalent work experience.
- At least 5 years of sales experience in auto finance, client relations, account management, relationship management, or automotive retail sales management.
- Ability to build strong business relationships and deliver results in a goal-oriented environment.
- Ability to travel daily within the assigned territory, up to 100% of the time.
- Experience with Microsoft Office products.
- Strong understanding of dealership operations and auto finance products.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Self-starter with strong organizational and territory-management abilities.
- Effective problem-solving and time-management skills.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States full-time without employer sponsorship to commence employment.
Nice To Haves
- Established work history or equivalent demonstrated through a combination of work experience, training, military service, or education.
Responsibilities
- Establish, develop, and manage trusted relationships with franchised and independent auto dealerships within the assigned territory.
- Grow loan originations and dealer engagement by promoting auto finance programs, OEM programs, small business and dealer commercial products, and digital services.
- Execute sales strategies and support initiatives directed by sales management.
- Identify market trends and competitive activity to find growth opportunities.
- Educate dealerships on finance program guidelines, underwriting policies, digital tools, and other platforms.
- Visit dealerships and maintain contact with personnel to understand business needs, increase engagement, and ensure satisfaction.
- Perform routine account management and contact-management tasks and maintain accurate records.
- Partner with Credit and Funding teams to provide service and resolve dealer issues.
- Coordinate meetings between Dealer Principals and dealer commercial services partners for Floor Plan services.
- Communicate dealer performance KPIs to dealership owners and general management staff.
- Work with internal partners, including dealer collections, dealer performance, risk, pricing, and legal, to resolve outstanding business matters.
- Represent the company at dealer events, trade shows, and industry meetings.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies in dealer interactions.
Benefits
- Competitive rewards package
- Benefits designed to support employees, their families, and their well-being
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
