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Dealer Development Manager, Oregon

Upgrade, Inc., Portland, OR, United States


About the Role: The Dealer Development Manager will represent Upgrade Inc (Auto Finance Division) and promote our indirect lending programs. They will develop, maintain, and grow business partnerships between Upgrade Inc. and our dealership partners. The Dealer Development Manager is also responsible for staying up-to-date on local market conditions and industry trends. In this role, you will work with internal partners to find solutions that better serve our customers, and build long lasting relationships with key decision makers to drive growth and continuous improvement.

This position requires residency in Oregon.

What You’ll Do: Dealer Relationship Management

Develop and maintain relationships with new and existing dealer partners

Act as a trusted advisor to dealership owners, GMs, and F&I managers

Conduct regular in‑person dealership visits based on a structured drive schedule

Deliver consistent follow‑up and service to ensure dealer satisfaction and loyalty

Identify, onboard, and activate new dealer partners

Drive dealer sign‑ups and first deals (“activation”)

Re‑engage inactive dealers (e.g., no deals in 90 days) and return them to production

Execute onboarding training to ensure dealers understand programs and systems

Achieve monthly funding and application volume goals

Increase contracts per active dealer and overall territory production

Focus on growing volume in Tier 3–5 segments while maintaining quality

Drive penetration targets (e.g., 3+ and 5+ deals per dealer per month)

Credit & Deal Structuring

Partner closely with underwriting/credit teams to structure deals effectively

Educate dealers on program guidelines, stips, and deal packaging

Improve pull‑through by coaching dealers on submitting clean, fundable deals

Manage dealer mix to align with company risk appetite and profitability goals

Shift focus toward preferred collateral and higher‑performing dealers

Ensure adherence to compliance, credit policies, and documentation standards

Conduct ongoing product and process training with dealership staff

Educate dealers on value‑added products

Provide market insights and best practices to improve dealer success

Position the company as a relationship‑driven partner vs. transactional lender

Territory & Activity Management

Maintain a disciplined weekly drive schedule maximizing in‑person dealer time

Track and manage activity through CRM (e.g., Salesforce)

Analyze territory performance and adjust strategy based on data

Participate in team calls, sales meetings, and performance reviews

What We Look For:

2+ years of experience in indirect auto finance, auto sales, or related field

Strong understanding of credit tiers, loan structuring, and dealership operations

Proven ability to build relationships and drive sales growth

Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills

Self‑motivated with strong time management and territory planning skills

Ability to travel locally (significant field time required)

What We Offer You:

Competitive salary and stock option plan

100% paid coverage of medical, dental and vision insurance

Flexible PTO

Competitive 401(k) and RRSP program

Opportunities for professional growth and development

Paid parental leave

Health & wellness initiatives

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.

English is required for all positions, as it involves interacting with staff at Upgrade's offices worldwide.

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