Dealer Network Development Manager

Norton Motorcycles; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Norton Motorcycles in Solihull, UK is seeking an experienced Dealer Network Development Manager to drive the expansion of our premium retail network across the UK and internationally where needed.

This field-based, highly commercial role covers the full dealer development lifecycle—from identifying partners and negotiations to launch, onboarding and post-opening performance—and requires strong relationship-building and project management skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in automotive, motorcycle, premium mobility or franchised network environments.
• Strong commercial negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Experience managing dealer appointments, launches or operational implementation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver dealer network expansion plans across assigned territories.
• Identify new market opportunities and prospective dealer partners.
• Lead dealer recruitment, assessment, negotiation and appointment through to contract.
• Evaluate dealer business cases, commercial potential and operational capability.
• Coordinate dealership preparation, onboarding and launch activities.
• Train and support dealer principals and dealership teams on Norton standards, sales processes and customer experience.
• Provide hands‑on coaching and commercial support during the first three months following dealer opening.
• Monitor launch performance, KPIs and agreed action plans to support rapid business development.
• Work cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing, Aftersales, Training, Operations and Finance.
• Represent Norton professionally while protecting the brand's premium positioning.

Skills

Dealer network development

Negotiation

Project management

CRM

Retail operations

Stakeholder management

Tools

CRM software

Dealer management systems

Data reporting

Job description

Location: Solihull, UK | Travel: Extensive UK travel, with occasional international travel

Reporting to: Global Head of Network Development

The Role

Norton Motorcycles is looking for an experienced Dealer Network Development Manager to support the expansion of our premium retail network across the UK and, where required, internationally.

This is a highly commercial, field-based role with responsibility for the full dealer development lifecycle — from identifying and assessing potential partners through negotiation, appointment, showroom preparation, launch and initial post-opening performance.

You will identify priority markets, source and recruit high-quality dealer partners, lead commercial negotiations and coordinate the successful opening of new Norton dealerships. Following launch, you will work closely with dealer principals and their teams to embed Norton standards, develop sales and aftersales operations and build sustainable commercial performance.

The role will suit an individual with strong experience in automotive, motorcycle, premium mobility or franchise/dealer network development, who combines commercial acumen with excellent relationship-building and project management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver dealer network expansion plans across assigned territories.
• Identify new market opportunities and prospective dealer partners.
• Lead dealer recruitment, assessment, negotiation and appointment through to contract.
• Evaluate dealer business cases, commercial potential and operational capability.
• Coordinate dealership preparation, onboarding and launch activities.
• Train and support dealer principals and dealership teams on Norton standards, sales processes and customer experience.
• Provide hands‑on coaching and commercial support during the first three months following dealer opening.
• Monitor launch performance, KPIs and agreed action plans to support rapid business development.
• Work cross‑functionally with Sales, Marketing, Aftersales, Training, Operations and Finance.
• Represent Norton professionally while protecting the brand's premium positioning.

About You

• Experience within automotive, motorcycle, premium mobility or a similar franchise environment.
• Strong commercial negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Experience managing dealer appointments, retail launches or operational implementation.
• Strong project management and analytical capability.
• Ability to coach and influence dealer principals and dealership teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Self‑motivated and comfortable working independently in a highly field‑based role.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel extensively.
• Experience with CRM, dealer management systems and retail performance reporting.
• Motorcycle industry experience.

Why Norton?

This is an opportunity to play a key role in the next phase of Norton Motorcycles' retail network expansion, working directly with the business and its dealer partners to establish a premium customer experience and sustainable commercial performance.

If you have the commercial drive, industry experience and relationship‑building skills to help build Nortons next generation of retail partners, we'd like to hear from you.