Director, client services

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, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, 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. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

The Director, Client Services, Regions reports to the Vice President of Dealer Success and leads a defined portion of the Regional Client Services organization. This is one of two Director roles that together oversee Regions; the two Directors each own a portion of the Regional book of business and partner as peers to ensure consistent standards, strategy, and client experience across all Regions. The Director sets direction and priorities for their area of accountability and develops and executes business plans through subordinate Managers, who in turn lead Associate Performance Managers, Performance Managers, and Senior Performance Managers. The Director is responsible for business results and resource allocation, including budget and staff, for their portion of the region.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead a defined portion of the Regional Client Services organization through subordinate Managers, owning the performance, development, and outcomes of that leadership layer and the PFM teams beneath it
• Set direction and priorities for your area of accountability, and develop and execute business plans that deliver against short- and mid-term strategy
• Own business results and resource allocation for your portion of the region, including budget and staff
• Assist the Vice President with forecasting and business growth, driving market and product penetration across the Dealer Inspire and Cars Commerce library of products
• Partner with the peer Director, Client Services, Regions to align standards, processes, playbooks, and strategy across the full Regional organization
• Imagine, document, roll out, and iterate new processes and contests for the Manager and PFM teams as necessary
• Own retention for your portion of the region in cross-functional partnership with other teams, including digital advertising, SEO, marketplace, and beyond
• Hold regular (weekly) touch bases with your leadership team to identify wins and blockers
• Ensure ongoing training across the PFM ladder and maintain detailed knowledge of all new products and digital offerings
• Work with the Manager and PFM teams to identify upsell and expansion opportunities and build strategy
• Set talent strategy for your area; mentor Managers on best practices for people leadership and client management, and support their professional growth
• Own hiring, performance management, and (as needed) offboarding for your direct reports; meet with your Manager team for annual and ongoing performance reviews with constructive feedback on performance and growth path
• Assist in the sales and strategy process for new business development for Dealer Inspire / Cars Commerce
• Provide support to Managers and PFMs on complex client strategy, difficult clients/cancellations, and bandwidth management
• Advocate and communicate with other internal departments about larger product issues, blockers, and process
• Ensure consistent communication of company directives across the Manager and PFM teams
• Identify issues and solve for process improvements
• Identify staffing needs with the VP for your portion of the region and serve as a liaison for necessary growth in client-facing roles
• Support the interview process outlined by HR for the Manager and PFM teams
• Onboard new employees to Dealer Inspire in partnership with the Regional Trainer
• Own executive- and ownership-level relationships with the most strategic customers in your region, and provide insight and guidance to the team related to digital services (and beyond)
• Positive representation of Client Services to all internal teams
• Positive representation of Dealer Inspire to all clients
• Quarterly goal to maintain retention of all clients and products (goal established quarterly)
• Identify opportunity for regional growth within the Dealer Inspire product suite / upsell existing products

Skills & Competencies Required:

A successful Director of Client Services requires excellent communication and analytical skills, marketing savvy, and the ability to enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. The ability to work through conflict resolution both internally and with external clients is a must.

Previous management experience is required, ideally including experience leading or developing other people leaders (subordinate managers); account management and digital marketing strategy services experience are also required

Ability to provide constructive and consistent feedback to all team members to ensure their further growth within their roles

Outstanding presentation & communication skills both over the phone and during in-person meetings

Excellent customer service skills

Must be very organized, punctual, and detail oriented

Fast learner & interested in new technologies

Team building and ability to rally your internal team to achieve company goals

The ability to remain cool under pressure and manage through client conflict

Must have experience within the automotive industry and be able to speak to the needs of this vertical

Availability and willingness to travel up to 25%

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree required; 10+ years of experience with 5+ years of people management experience

Key Competencies

• Cultivates innovation
• Demonstrates self-awareness
• Manages complexity
• Balances stakeholders

Strong knowledge of:

• Leadership and People Management
• Website Performance / Google Analytics
• Intermediate WordPress knowledge
• SEO Fundamentals and Principles
• Paid Search / Google Ads
• Automotive Dealership Operations
• Social Media

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position. In addition to base salary, some roles are eligible for our bonus and/or equity programs, depending on level and role. Regular full-time positions are eligible for our comprehensive benefits package. If you are hired at Cars Commerce, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills and/or experience. If the salary range is close to what you're seeking, then we encourage you to apply and learn more about the total compensation package for this position.

Salary Range

$154,200.00-192,750.00

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Healthcare Plans
• New Hire Stipend for Home Office Set-Up
• Generous PTO
• Paid Holidays, Floating Holiday, Volunteer Day, Recharge Day

Learn more about our Benefits, Perks, & Culture on our LinkedIn Life Pages!

For US-based Positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

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