General Manager in Nottingham

We are seeking an exceptional General Manager to take full operational and commercial responsibility for a high-performing multi-brand automotive dealership. This is a pivotal leadership role for a commercially astute and customer-focused individual who can drive profitability, develop high-performing teams, and build strong manufacturer relationships. As General Manager, you will have overall accountability for the dealership's strategic direction, financial performance, customer experience, and operational excellence across New Vehicle Sales, Used Vehicle Sales, Commercial Vehicles, Aftersales, Parts, and Service operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial & Strategic Leadership
• Take full ownership of dealership performance, with complete responsibility for profit and loss (P&L).
• Develop and execute strategic business plans that deliver sustainable growth and maximise profitability.
• Drive revenue generation, market share growth, and operational efficiencies across all departments.
• Analyse performance data, identify trends, and implement action plans to exceed business objectives.
• Ensure the dealership consistently achieves and surpasses agreed financial and operational targets.
• Sales Leadership - New, Used & Commercial Vehicles
• Lead, inspire, and develop high-performing sales teams to maximise vehicle sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive performance across new vehicle, used vehicle, fleet, and commercial vehicle operations.
• Oversee stock management, pricing strategies, vehicle sourcing, and inventory optimisation.
• Maximise Finance & Insurance (F&I) opportunities through effective process management and team coaching.
• Ensure all sales activities are aligned with manufacturer objectives and market opportunities.
• Aftersales Excellence
• Provide strategic leadership across Service, Parts, and Workshop operations.
• Drive labour sales, workshop productivity, efficiency, and parts performance.
• Improve customer retention, service plan penetration, and long-term customer loyalty.
• Ensure exceptional customer experiences while maintaining strong departmental profitability.
• Deliver compliance with all manufacturer standards, processes, and audit requirements.
• OEM & Manufacturer Relationships
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with all franchise and manufacturer partners.
• Represent the dealership professionally in manufacturer reviews, performance meetings, and strategic discussions.
• Ensure achievement of OEM targets, standards, compliance measures, and customer satisfaction benchmarks.
• Leverage manufacturer programmes, incentives, and support initiatives to maximise business performance.
• Leadership, Culture & Talent Development
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performance leadership team across all departments.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer focus, and continuous improvement.
• Coach and mentor departmental managers to achieve both individual and business objectives.
• Drive employee engagement, succession planning, recruitment, and talent retention strategies.
• Create an environment where people are motivated to perform, develop, and succeed.
• Customer Experience & Compliance
• Champion an outstanding customer journey across every stage of the ownership experience.
• Monitor and improve customer satisfaction metrics, ensuring the dealership consistently exceeds expectations.
• Maintain full compliance with FCA regulations, health & safety requirements, and company policies.
• Protect and enhance the reputation, values, and integrity of the business.

What We're Looking For

• Essential Experience
• Proven success as a General Manager, Dealer Principal, Head of Business, or Senior Automotive Leader within a franchised dealership environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with a demonstrable track record of delivering profitable growth.
• Experience managing multi-department automotive operations including Sales, Aftersales, and Commercial Vehicles.
• Strong understanding of manufacturer relationships, dealer standards, and franchise operations.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
• Key Attributes
• Inspirational leader with a hands-on and results-driven approach.
• Commercially focused with excellent financial and analytical skills.
• Strategic thinker capable of balancing long-term growth with day-to-day operational excellence.
• Exceptional communicator with strong stakeholder management abilities.
• Passionate about delivering outstanding customer experiences.

Success Measures

• Performance will be measured against:
• New & Used Vehicle Sales Volume and Profitability
• Commercial Vehicle Performance
• Aftersales Revenue, Absorption Rate & Profitability
• Customer Satisfaction (NPS / CSI)
• Finance & Insurance Penetration
• Stock Turn and Working Capital Management
• OEM Compliance and Franchise Performance Scores
• Employee Engagement and Retention
• Overall Dealership Profitability and Growth