Market Development Manager - San Diego, CA

Job description

**Fuel market expansion. Build high-performing teams. Lead with impact.** We’re looking for an experienced people leader to champion regional growth as a **Market Development Manager (Sales Leader)** in **San Diego, CA**. In this role, you’ll build and lead a field sales team, forge high-impact dealership partnerships, and play a key role in accelerating Lendbuzz’s market growth strategy. If you thrive in the field, lead by example, and know how to turn relationships into revenue, this is where you’ll make your mark. \*\*\*Residence within or near the assigned geographic territory is required.\*\*\* ### Key Responsibilities - **Lead and Grow the Market** Own territory expansion strategy — identifying sub-markets, high-opportunity dealership partners, and long-term growth channels. - **Develop and Coach Talent** Hire, mentor, and elevate a team of Dealership Account Managers, building a performance-driven culture rooted in accountability, resilience, and partnership excellence. - **Build and Strengthen Dealer Relationships** Serve as a senior relationship builder for key dealership partners, providing consultative support and reinforcing a high-touch, service-first experience. - **Drive Field Production** Model best-in-class selling and partnership behavior in the field, while ensuring your team is consistently executing against volume and quality targets. - **Create Market Intelligence** Translate field insights into strategy — providing market feedback to senior leadership, helping shape competitive positioning and local playbooks. - **Partner Across the Business** Collaborate with underwriting, credit, and internal sales partners to ensure seamless execution and a unified dealership experience. ### Qualifications - 5+ years of experience in automotive lending, F&I, indirect auto, or dealership partnership environments - 2+ years leading or developing a field sales team (formal or informal leadership accepted) - Proven track record of expanding territories and growing dealer production - Strong dealership relationships and credibility within the local market - Hands-on leadership style — you coach in the field, not from behind a desk - Customer-focused, organized, and committed to excellence in every interaction. - Familiarity with CRM tools such as Salesforce or HubSpot. - Ability to analyze volume trends, identify opportunity gaps, and translate data into action - Comfortable with a six-day work week and frequent in-person dealership visits - Valid driver’s license with clean driving history; travel required throughout the region - Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field preferred. - Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is a plus ### What Success Looks Like - A high-performing, accountable field team with strong retention - Scalable, high-intent dealership partnerships - Growth in regional market share and contract volume - A coaching culture rooted in visibility, engagement, and consistency - Strong alignment between field execution and senior-level strategy If you’re a growth-minded leader who builds strong teams, owns the market from the front lines, and turns relationships into traction, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact as we scale.