Network Development Manager

Network Development Manager

Overview

Working for leading automotive OEM responsible for strategic planning and dealer performance across your territory.

Location: Field base

Reporting to: Director of Network Development

Role Summary

The Network Development Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, expansion, and optimization of the dealer network across the UK market. This role ensures that network coverage, dealer capability, and investment standards are aligned with the companys long-term commercial objectives.

The position requires a strong balance of strategic thinking, commercial analysis, investor management, and project execution, acting as a key bridge between corporate strategy and market implementation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Network Strategy & Market Planning

• Develop and implement a mid- to long-term dealer network strategy (35 years) for the UK market
• Conduct detailed market analysis, including:
• Market potential (volume and segment opportunity)
• Car parc analysis
• Competitor network benchmarking (e.g. BMW Group, Audi, Tesla)
• Identify:
• Open points (white space opportunities)
• Over-networked or underperforming areas
• Define optimal network size, location, and dealer throughput

Deliverables:

• UK Network Strategy Plan
• Dealer Coverage & Mapping Analysis
• Network Gap Assessment

2. Dealer Appointment & Investor Management

• Build and maintain a robust investor pipeline (dealer groups and private investors)
• Lead end-to-end dealer appointment process:
• Initial screening (financial strength, experience, governance)
• Business plan evaluation
• Executive-level interviews and approvals
• Lead commercial negotiations, including:
• Dealer Agreement terms
• Investment commitments (facility, CI, staffing)
• Sales and performance targets

Deliverables:

• Investor Evaluation Reports
• Dealer Business Case (including ROI modelling)
• Signed Dealer Agreements

3. Network Performance & Optimization

• Design and implement a dealer performance evaluation framework, including:
• Sales performance
• Profitability
• Customer satisfaction (NPS)
• Conduct regular network performance reviews (quarterly/annual)
• Drive network optimization actions:
• Dealer improvement plans
• Consolidation or restructuring
• Dealer termination where necessary

Deliverables:

• Dealer Scorecards
• Network Performance Dashboard
• Corrective Action Plans

4. Brand Standards & Facility Development (CI)

• Ensure dealer compliance with Corporate Identity (CI) and brand standards
• Oversee new dealership development and refurbishment projects
• Approve investment proposals and monitor project execution
• Track and evaluate investment returns (ROI, payback period)

Deliverables:

• CI Compliance Reports
• Facility Development Tracker
• Investment Approval Documentation

5. Business Transformation Support (EV / Agency / Digital)

• Support network readiness for electric vehicle (EV) transition, including:
• Charging infrastructure capability
• Technical readiness and training
• Contribute to agency or direct-to-consumer model transformation
• Align dealer network with digital and e-commerce sales channels

6. Cross-functional Collaboration & Project Management

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders:
• Sales (regional performance alignment)
• Marketing (brand positioning & campaigns)
• Aftersales (service capability)
• Finance (dealer funding & retail finance models)
• Legal (contracts and regulatory compliance)
• Support new product launches with network readiness planning

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Network Coverage (%)
• Open Point Conversion Rate
• Dealer Profitability (average & distribution)
• Time to Dealer Appointment
• CI Compliance Rate
• Network ROI and throughput per dealer

Requirements

Experience

• 510 years of experience in the automotive industry
• Minimum 3 years in:
• Dealer network development, or
• Dealer performance / regional management roles
• Experience within OEM environments preferred

Core Competencies

Commercial & Analytical Skills

• Strong ability to assess market potential and build business cases
• Experience with dealer ROI modelling and investment analysis

Negotiation & Stakeholder Management

• Proven ability to negotiate with senior-level investors and dealer principals
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to design network structures at a national level
• Long-term planning mindset

Project Management

• Ability to manage multiple dealer projects simultaneously
• Strong execution and follow-through

Technical Skills

• Advanced Excel (financial modelling, scenario analysis)
• PowerPoint (executive-level presentations)
• Experience with mapping/GIS tools is a plus
• Familiarity with CRM systems such as Salesforce

Industry Knowledge

• Strong understanding of the UK automotive retail model (franchise system)
• Familiarity with dealer agreements and commercial structures
• Awareness of FCA regulatory environment (especially finance-related sales)

Ideal Candidate Profile

A high-impact, commercially driven professional who combines:

• Strategic mindset with hands-on execution capability
• Strong analytical thinking with real-world business judgment
• Ability to engage both corporate stakeholders and entrepreneurial dealer investors

Typical successful backgrounds include:

• OEM regional or dealer performance managers transitioning into network roles
• Senior professionals from large dealer groups
• Consultants with automotive retail network strategy experience

Market Context & Challenges

• Ongoing shift from franchise to agency sales models
• Increasing pressure on dealer profitability and consolidation
• EV transition requiring significant dealer investment
• Competition from direct-to-consumer brands such as Tesla

Compensation (UK Market Reference)

• Base Salary: £60,000.00
• Bonus: 10%

Employer Value Proposition

Play a key role in shaping the future retail network of a forward-thinking automotive brand in the UK.

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