Strategic Account Director - OEM Business

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Affinitiv is the largest provider of end-to-end, data-driven marketing and software solutions exclusively focused on the automotive customer lifecycle. Backed by 20+ years of automotive and marketing expertise, we pride ourselves on being the go-to experts in the industry. Not only do we work with over 6,500 dealerships and every major manufacturer in the country, we’re well-versed in OEM standards and the intricacies of a dealership or group’s local business.

Position Summary

The Strategic Account Director – OEM Business is responsible for developing, managing, and growing strategic relationships with automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This senior-level role serves as a trusted advisor to OEM partners, aligning Affinitiv’s marketing technology, customer engagement, CRM, digital marketing, and data-driven solutions with OEM business objectives to drive measurable results across the OEM and dealer network.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of direct experience working with automotive OEMs and a deep understanding of the automotive retail ecosystem, including OEM corporate and regional/zone organizations, dealer networks, digital marketing programs, customer experience initiatives, and automotive technology providers.

The successful candidate will combine extensive automotive industry expertise with consultative sales, executive relationship management, strategic planning, and business development capabilities. Familiarity with key automotive industry partners and platforms, including Shift Digital and J.D. Power, is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic OEM Account Management

Develop and execute comprehensive strategic account plans for assigned OEM partners.

Build and maintain trusted relationships with executive and senior-level stakeholders across OEM corporate, regional, and field organizations.

Serve as a senior strategic point of contact and trusted advisor for assigned OEM accounts.

Maintain a deep understanding of each OEM’s business objectives, retail strategies, dealer initiatives, customer experience priorities, and digital transformation efforts.

Navigate complex OEM organizational structures and effectively engage multiple stakeholders and decision-makers.

Drive customer satisfaction, retention, account growth, and long-term strategic partnership development.

Business Development & Growth

Identify and develop opportunities to expand Affinitiv solutions across existing and prospective OEM programs.

Translate OEM business challenges into strategic solutions leveraging Affinitiv’s marketing technology, CRM, customer engagement, data, and digital capabilities.

Lead executive-level solution presentations, strategic planning sessions, business reviews, and program discussions.

Develop proposals, business cases, pricing strategies, and contract renewal recommendations.

Identify opportunities to expand programs across OEM dealer networks, regions, brands, and business units.

Collaborate with leadership to achieve annual revenue, retention, and growth objectives.

OEM Digital & Automotive Retail Strategy

Provide strategic guidance regarding automotive digital retail, dealer marketing, CRM, customer lifecycle management, retention, and customer experience.

Maintain a strong understanding of OEM digital marketing programs, dealer digital ecosystems, lead management, performance measurement, and vendor integration.

Demonstrate familiarity with automotive industry platforms, data providers, and strategic partners, including Shift Digital and J.D. Power.

Understand how OEM corporate initiatives translate into regional/zone and dealer-level execution.

Apply industry benchmarks, market intelligence, and performance data to identify opportunities and develop strategic recommendations for OEM clients.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Partner with Product, Marketing, Operations, Customer Success, Analytics, Technology, and Implementation teams to deliver successful OEM programs.

Coordinate internal resources to support OEM initiatives, program launches, integrations, and strategic priorities.

Translate client objectives into clear internal requirements and action plans.

Advocate for client needs while balancing Affinitiv’s strategic, operational, and product priorities.

Provide internal leadership and automotive industry perspective to help shape solutions for OEM clients.

Executive Relationship Management

Develop relationships across multiple levels of OEM organizations, including senior executives and key program stakeholders.

Lead and facilitate Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), executive business reviews, and strategic planning sessions.

Present performance metrics, industry insights, program results, and strategic recommendations to executive audiences.

Build credibility as a strategic advisor through automotive industry expertise, business acumen, and consultative guidance.

Proactively identify emerging client needs, risks, and opportunities.

Industry Expertise

Maintain deep knowledge of automotive retail, OEM strategy, dealer operations, digital marketing, CRM, customer experience, and emerging automotive technologies.

Stay informed about changes in OEM digital programs, dealer marketing strategies, customer engagement models, and automotive technology.

Monitor competitive activity, industry benchmarks, and market developments to identify strategic opportunities.

Maintain awareness of major automotive data, technology, and digital ecosystem providers, including Shift Digital and J.D. Power.

Represent Affinitiv at automotive industry conferences, OEM meetings, dealer meetings, and strategic partner events.

Forecasting & Reporting

Maintain accurate revenue forecasts, opportunity pipelines, and account plans within CRM.

Track account revenue, program performance, account health, retention risks, and expansion opportunities.

Develop executive-level reporting and business updates for Affinitiv leadership.

Maintain clear visibility into upcoming OEM initiatives, renewals, RFPs, and potential growth opportunities.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

10+ years of professional experience working directly with automotive OEMs, including OEM account management, strategic partnerships, enterprise sales, digital marketing, automotive technology, consulting, or related disciplines.

Demonstrated understanding of OEM corporate, regional/zone, and dealer network structures and operations.

Proven experience developing and managing senior and executive-level OEM relationships.

Demonstrated success managing large, complex automotive accounts and multi-stakeholder engagements.

Strong understanding of automotive retail, dealer operations, digital marketing, CRM, customer engagement, and performance measurement.

Experience developing and presenting strategic recommendations, business reviews, and performance results to executive audiences.

Proven ability to navigate complex sales cycles, contract negotiations, renewals, and enterprise-level business development opportunities.

Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and executive relationship-management skills.

Ability to travel approximately 30–50%.

Preferred

Experience developing, managing, or supporting OEM-sponsored dealer marketing, digital, CRM, customer engagement, or retention programs.

Direct experience working with OEM corporate and regional/zone teams.

Familiarity with Shift Digital, including its role within OEM and dealer digital marketing programs and ecosystems.

Familiarity with J.D. Power, including automotive data, analytics, consumer insights, and indus