Senior Manager - Digital Upgrades

The Connect and Engage Digital Upgrades Senior Manager will play a critical role in shaping the future of the Connect and Engage businesses at Ford Motor Company, with a primary focus on Digital Upgrades. This position will lead business development efforts for new Digital Upgrades across vehicle lines, with a particular focus on retail experiences for both on and off-road, as well as cross-carline applications. The ideal candidate will be a self-directed and accomplished leader with strong business acumen, the ability to navigate complex organizational structures, and a passion for driving innovation in the automotive industry. This role requires the ability to effectively communicate with and influence senior leadership, aligning cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives.

In this position...

• Business Development Leadership:
  • Lead business development activities for new Digital Upgrades initiatives, with a primary focus on retail on and off-road experiences.
  • Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new opportunities based on market demand, technological feasibility, business viability, and a deep understanding of the customer.
  • Develop and present compelling business cases for new Digital Upgrades, including market analysis, financial projections, and risk assessments.
  • Collaborate with engineering, product development, product management, and marketing teams to define Upgrade specifications, pricing strategies, and launch plans.
• Cross-Carline Digital Upgrade Strategy:
  • Lead the development of a comprehensive Cross-Carline Digital Upgrade Strategy in partnership with the Technology Strategy and Product Management teams.
  • Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify key trends and opportunities in the Digital upgrade space.
  • Define target customer segments and develop tailored upgrade offerings to meet their specific needs and preferences.
  • Evaluate the viability and scalability of different Digital Upgrade solutions.
• Digital Accessories Strategy:
  • Help develop our Digital Accessories strategy. 
  • Outline the business / market opportunity for hardware and software.
• Strategic Planning & Alignment:
  • Provide aligned input to the Cycle Plan, ensuring that Digital Upgrade initiatives are integrated into the overall product development roadmap.
  • Provide aligned input to the Business Plan, ensuring that Digital Upgrade initiatives are aligned with the company's financial goals and objectives.
  • Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that Digital Upgrade initiatives are aligned with overall vehicle strategy and brand positioning. 
• Business Operations:
  • Monitor the performance of in-market Digital Upgrades and identify opportunities to improve their profitability and customer satisfaction.
  • Define, monitor, and analyze KPIs of Digital Upgrades that are in market.
  • Collaborate with marketing on initiatives to promote the Digital Upgrades via CRM, social, events, etc. and support dealer awareness initiatives. 
  • Identify and integrate Digital Upgrades into new sales channels. 
• Market Research & Analysis:
  • Coordinate overall upgrades research studies in partnership with marketing and Global Consumer Insights (GCI) teams.
  • Analyze market trends, customer feedback, and competitive offerings to identify new upgrade opportunities and inform product development decisions.
  • Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of connected vehicle services and Digital Upgrades.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence:
  • Work closely with engineering, product development, IT, marketing, sales, finance, and other key partners to ensure the successful development and launch of new upgrades.
  • Partner with Integrated Services Strategy team to provide consistent support for vehicle program teams, representing the Digital Upgrades business.
  • Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization and effectively communicate the value proposition of digital upgrades.
  • Navigate Ford's internal processes and procedures to help secure necessary approvals and resources for upgrade initiatives.
• Strategic Study Leadership:
  • Provide focused leadership for any applicable strategic studies involving Digital Upgrades.
  • Help develop a compelling vision for the future of Digital Upgrades across various vehicle architectures, working closely with Digital Product, Design, and Engineering teams.

You'll have...

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