Sr. Industry Relations Manager

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we’re fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.  

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together – putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it’s hard. It’s our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don’t take our word for it. As a U.S. News & World Report Best Company to Work For in 2024, we're obsessive about the employee experience. We are among the top 20% being declared “Best” of our industry based on six critical factors that are important to employee wellbeing, like quality of pay, benefits, work life balance and more.

The role:

We are looking for a Sr. Industry Relations Manager to join the Cars Commerce Communications department. In this enterprise role, the ideal candidate will develop an industry events and influencer strategy working with the Industry Marketing team that aligns with the company’s overarching business and communications strategies. This person will collaborate with teams and business units across the company to determine the most effective approach to increase dealer count and generate incremental revenue through partnerships, custom events, thought leadership, dealer meetings and influencer relationships. This person will also be responsible for accurately tracking results and implementing an automated process in partnership with Tech and Finance so that a true return on investment can be demonstrated at the end of each business cycle. 

This role reports to the Senior Director of Industry Relations. There is significant interaction with and accountabilities to other leaders across the organization and industry partners outside the company. 

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute a strategy for industry events and sponsorships that aligns with the goals of increasing dealer count and generating incremental revenue.
• Develop and execute a strategy to support the OEM/National Sales Team to strengthen relationships and grow opportunities to achieve additional revenue.
• Develop an influencer strategy that taps dealers and dealer consultants with large social media audiences to advocate for CARS and its platform of technologies and solutions.
• Partner closely with Industry Marketing to create off-the-shelf presentations and event support materials that can be used across a wide range of opportunities. Create a booth strategy for the small conferences that appropriately represents all of the brands and can easily be transported and set-up by anyone.
• Manage the day-to-day budget reconciliation and sponsorship contracts.
• Drive measurable, data-driven results and manage analytics dashboards for industry events and sponsorships to ensure effectiveness of programs and a true return on investment. 
• Travel to support the business (30%)

Your expertise:

• At least 7-10 years of experience in event management, dealer relations and/or sponsorship management roles.
• A creative mindset, and passion for events and dealer relations is a must, as is thriving in a fast-paced environment.
• Very strong attention to detail and the ability to juggle competing priorities.
• Ability to be a self starter and a team player.
• Ability to meet aggressive timelines across different departments.
• Ability to see the Corporate-level perspective, the business group goals & objectives, and the fine details needed to implement complex programs.
• Experience sup