The Requirements

While our ideal candidate will have experience closely matching the responsibilities of this position, we are also open to people who have some relevant experience and the motivation to learn the rest quickly. This role could be a step up for candidates with relevant backgrounds who haven't previously had a field role. Top candidates for the Dealer Relationship Manager opportunity will have experience with MOST of the following:

• Consumer finance, including knowledge of loan origination/underwriting operations
• Automotive/vehicle financing
• Indirect financing sales
• Working directly and in-person with dealers
• Lease and loan accounting systems Quick question for you - click here
• Sales programs, sales training and auto dealer finance operations
• Supervising others

You also will need:

• A bachelor's degree required, ideally in Marketing, Business, Finance or similar Quick question for you - click here
• Fundamental knowledge of credit analysis and funding processes
• Basic administrative skills
• An approved driving record

Just as important as your experience and skills will be the following characteristics and competencies:

• Excellent relationship-building skills
• Solid organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple activities and priorities
• Self-motivation and a results orientation
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• A desire to learn and grow in our organization

You will work out of your home office and support Honda and Acura dealers in Columbus and Toledo, Ohio. You should plan on spending almost all of your time out in the field. You also will need to be willing and able to travel overnight approximately 15% of the time.

The Role

Reporting to a Business Development Manager, you will join a Midwest regional team and manage an assigned territory currently including 15 Honda and 4 Acura dealers. You'll take over an excellent territory that has established dealer relationships and programs in place, and act as a consultant and trainer to the dealers to ensure they are receiving and leveraging all the benefits of the American Honda Finance Corporation (AHFC) products.

The product portfolio is very broad and includes a variety of programs under the categories of retail installment sales contracts, leasing, and vehicle service contracts. Some current programs include APR incentives, Military Appreciation Offers, College Grad Offers, One-Pay Leases, Leadership Purchase Plans, Acura Loyalty Advantage™ and more. We also offer wholesale flooring and commercial loans to authorized dealers.

A typical week will find you handling administrative responsibilities on Monday, including responding to emails and phone calls, setting up appointments with dealers, scheduling training, and more. The balance of the week you will spend calling on dealerships to accomplish the following key objectives:

• Promoting the sales of AHFC products, program compliance, and the implementation of AHFC programs, initiatives, policies, and procedures  Quick question for you - click here
• Building loyal relationships with dealers, developing and implementing plans to improve dealership profitability and customer retention
• Ensuring that the AHFC relationship adds value to the dealership while supporting regional goals and objectives
• Serving as a liaison to American Honda Motor Co. in order to identify and provide additional resources and maximize dealer support

Note: this description is intended to give you a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

Pictured: You'll help dealers put consumers behind the wheel of innovative vehicles across all categories. For example, with an exterior that is both sporty and refined, the 2017 Honda Pilot (above) is redefining the modern family SUV. The 2017 Acura NSX (below) was engineered to be the perfect balance of power and handling, form and function, sport and luxury.

What's in It for You

Launching a promising career
We hire with an eye to the future and take a proactive approach to ensuring that you get off to a great start, laying the foundation for a long and mutually beneficial relationship between AHFC and you. We'll provide the tools you need and help you establish solid relationships with the AHFC regional office, corporate office in California, and our service center in Texas. The Business Development Manager to whom you'll report, as well as other team members, will provide hands-on coaching and training as you get up to speed, and strong customer introductions for a smooth hand-off. Training could take up to a month in order to ensure you have a strong understanding of our products, expectations and your territory.

Keeping your skills honed
Even if you bring all the experience listed under The Requirements, there still will be opportunities to learn and grow. The region holds sales meetings two or three times a year to bring the team together for training and networking, we hold national training sessions, and you will attend meetings and trade shows for both Honda and Acura. AHFC also offers extensive leadership and management skill development programs.

Career growth
Once you prove yourself and make your mark in this role, you'll have ample opportunity to expand your career. In fact, we prefer candidates with a long-range career view. Typically, employees work as Dealer Relationship Manager's for 3-5 years before stepping up. Many opportunities will require relocation.

High impact
This is an important role in ensuring our organization's profitability and continued success, and in helping the dealers achieve their goals. You'll also help dealers deliver programs that help consumers get the vehicle they need. In addition, you'll be influential in ensuring the smooth operation of your region.

Stability and growth
AHFC reported $6.9 billion in revenue in fiscal 2016 (ended March 31, 2106), up 8% over 2015, and we maintain excellent credit ratings. Ratings and outlook for Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and its supported subsidiaries, including AHFC, are A1/A+ Stable (S&P) and P1/A1 Negative (Mood's). While AHFC supports approximately 3.3 million customers, we maintain high underwriting standards that are reflected in low charge-off and delinquency numbers year after year. And, of course, we are backed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., in Japan, with 2016 revenues at more than $146 billion.

Great environment
While you will work independently from home, you'll always have a strong network of resources and supporters around you. Being a Honda associate means collaborating as a team, while never forgetting that true teamwork requires respect for the individual. We believe the smartest ideas should always triumph, no matter whose they are.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary and bonus potential, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a 401(k) match; medical, dental, and vision plans; and much more. As noted above, we'll provide a company car along with smartphone and laptop/tablet. In addition, you can take advantage of great prices with our associate lease plans. We also offer a strong relocation package for highly qualified candidates.

Pictured: Cars and SUVs are just the beginning. AHFC provides attractive financing programs and supports dealers of Honda motorcycles, generators, marine engines, and other products.

Keys to Success

In many ways this is a "plug and play" situation: already in place are the support structure, dealer portfolio, active programs and more. At the same, you will be the engine that drives it all, leveraging your service-oriented mindset to build relationships, sustain results and build business. Quick question for you - click here  You should be proactive about learning and hitting your stride quickly. Once there, you'll need the discipline and self-motivation to manage your territory independently. We'll expect you to manage it as if you're managing your own business. 

As you might expect with financing programs, we'll look to you to "stay in the swim lanes." In fact, part of your role will be to ensure program compliance on the part of dealers. However, that doesn't mean there isn't room for creativity. Each dealer is unique and you'll need to adjust your approach accordingly. You'll interact with an array of touchpoints within each dealership, such as dealer principal, office managers, finance directors, sales managers and others. Within a single dealership, you'll need to understand each person's personality, goals and challenges -- that way you can tailor your support efforts to maximize effectiveness and results.

About Us

The Power of Dreams

Everyone is born with the ability to think, create, and dream. At Honda, we believe the Power of Dreams is realized when we work together to make them real. The joy of creating quality products that have a positive impact on all our lives is the Honda Way. Our products are creations of our associates. That's why Honda views its associates as its most valuable asset -- each and every associate plays an important role in the success of the Company.

At American Honda Finance Corporation, we collaborate with our direct parent, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM), and our affiliate, Honda Canada, Inc. (HCI), to support Honda and Acura product sales in the United States and Canada. Our vision is to be the premier automotive financial services company in the industry, and we focus on cultivating high employee, customer and dealer satisfaction and loyalty.

We offer financing in the form of both retail installment sales contracts and leases, depending on the product and the needs of the particular customer. Leases are offered through our affiliate Honda Lease Trust for new and used Honda motor vehicles. In addition, we and our Florida affiliate American Honda Service Contract Corporation, administer vehicle service contracts sold by Honda Dealers throughout the United States.

American Honda Finance Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., the sole authorized distributor of Honda and Acura motor vehicles, Honda motorcycles, Honda power equipment and Honda and Acura parts and accessories in the United States. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., a Japanese corporation which is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of motor vehicles and power equipment.

Through the efforts of our parent corporation, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., American Honda Finance Corporation takes an active role as a citizen of the communities that we serve. By supporting important community initiatives, we hope to help make a difference

Video: Our Associates share what they love about the culture of American Honda Motor Co, from the corporate office to the assembly lines to the dealers' showrooms.