Dealer Development Manager

Upgrade is a fintech company that provides affordable and responsible credit, mobile banking, and payment products to everyday consumers. We were the fastest growing company in the Americas last year according to the Financial Times and Upgrade Card was the fastest growing credit card in America two years in a row. We have delivered over $33 billion in affordable and responsible credit to our 5.5M customers. The company is backed by some of the most prominent technology investors and was recently valued at $6.3B.

We have built an energizing, collaborative and inclusive culture where team members help each other, learn and innovate to move the company and its customers in the right direction, and own the outcome of their efforts.

Upgrade has been named a “Best Place to Work in the Bay Area” three years in a row, “Top Companies to work for in Arizona” and one of the "Best Engineering Department" awarded annually by Comparably. We've also received recognition for being a best company for Diversity, Women, Culture, and Veterans.

We are looking for new team members who get excited about designing and delivering new and better products to join a team of 1850 talented and dedicated professionals. Come work with us if you like to tackle big problems and make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

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We are seeking a results-driven and relationship-focused Dealer Development Manager to join our growing team. This individual will be responsible for identifying, onboarding, and managing auto dealer partnerships within an assigned territory. The ideal candidate will possess deep knowledge of the auto finance industry and a proven track record of building strong dealer relationships. This role will play a vital part in expanding our dealer network and driving loan originations through the promotion of our innovative financing solutions, including additional Upgrade offerings, aftermarket products, and our proprietary prequalification programs.

 

What You’ll Do:

Dealer Acquisition & Onboarding

• Proactively identify and secure new dealer partners in assigned territories.
• Negotiate and execute dealer agreements in alignment with company guidelines and compliance standards.
• Present the value proposition of our lending programs to key dealer decision-makers.
• Conduct onboarding and training sessions for new dealers on our products, technology, and submission process.

Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned dealer accounts, maintaining strong, ongoing relationships.
• Conduct regular in-person and virtual meetings with dealer partners to review performance, address concerns, and promote deeper engagement.
• Partner with credit and funding teams to resolve dealer issues and provide a seamless experience.

Program Promotion & Value Delivery

• Promote and educate dealers on value-added offerings, including:
• Upgrade's programs to enhance customer affordability.
• Aftermarket product integration (e.g., GAP, VSC).
• Prequalification and soft-pull programs to drive quality leads.
• Leverage data insights to tailor recommendations for each dealer’s growth.

Territory & Performance Management

• Monitor and analyze dealer performance metrics to identify opportunities for growth or course correction.
• Develop and execute territory growth plans to meet or exceed origination targets.
• Collaborate with marketing and product teams to customize strategies for dealer engagement.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all dealer activity aligns with regulatory guidelines and company policies.
• Maintain accurate CRM records of dealer interactions, pipeline development, and performance metrics.
• Provide regular reports and forecasts to senior leadership.

 

What We Look For:

• 3–5 years of experience in dealer development, auto finance sales, or indirect lending.
• Strong knowledge of dealership operations, F&I practices, and the auto lending landscape.
• Demonstrated success in dealer acquisition, account management, or territory sales.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Highly organized with a self-starter mentality.

 

What We Offer You:  

• Competitive salary and stock option plan 
• 100% paid coverage of medical, dental and vision insurance  
• PTO 
• Opportunities for professional growth and development  
• Paid parental leave 
• Health & wellness initiatives

 

For California residents: Upgrade's California Notice at Collection and Privacy Policy describes our practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of the personal information of job applicants.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Upgrade does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies, search firms, or any third parties. Any resume submitted to any employee of Upgrade without a prior written agreement in place will be considered the property of Upgrade, and Upgrade will not be obligated to pay any referral or placement fee. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Upgrade's Talent Acquisition department to submit resumes and only in conjunction with a valid, fully executed agreement.