General Manager

Vertu Motors plc; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer Pension 10%

Share scheme

Leadership development

25 days holiday

Private medical insurance

Maternity & Paternity pay

Vertu Rewards

Job summary

Vertu Ford Newcastle is seeking an exceptional General Manager to lead a high-performing dealership in the North East. You will be accountable for overall performance, people leadership across all departments, and delivering outstanding customer outcomes in a fast-paced retail environment.

Experience in the automotive sector, a proven track record in new and used vehicle sales, and a values-driven approach with integrity are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong track record as a General Manager in automotive sector.
• Proven success in new and used vehicle sales performance.
• Ability to deliver financial results and exceptional customer outcomes.
• Strong leadership skills to motivate and inspire teams.
• Values-led approach with integrity at the core of decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop high-performing teams across all departments.
• Drive financial performance, cost control, and operational excellence.
• Build and maintain strong manufacturer relationships.
• Ensure full compliance with company policies, processes, and legislation.
• Create a safe, professional environment prioritising wellbeing.

Skills

GM Experience

Automotive sector

Leadership

Customer outcomes

Integrity

Job description

Vertu Ford Newcastle

Competitive basic salary | OTE: £120,000 | Company Car + Exceptional Benefits

As one of the largest motor retailers in the UK, Vertu Motors’ continued success is built on strong performance, growth, and leadership. Our mission — “to deliver an outstanding customer motoring experience through honesty and trust” — sits at the heart of everything we do and is central to the role of a General Manager.

Since opening in 2023, our Ford dealership has gone from strength to strength, establishing itself as a high-performing and successful operation ahead of plan. We are proud to consistently deliver service results at or above the national average, while achieving top-quartile performance for customer satisfaction.

Our thriving dealership employs 45 colleagues across the business and continues to grow, with significant capacity available for future expansion. We operate across both retail and commercial sectors and are recognised for holding the largest Light Commercial Vehicle market share in our region.

We are looking for an exceptional leader who can deliver outstanding performance across all departments while ensuring the highest standards of customer satisfaction. You will be values-driven, ambitious, and passionate about both people and results, with a proven ability to lead from the front and inspire high-performing teams.

Our competitive advantage lies in the quality of our people. We are seeking someone with determination, energy, and integrity — a leader who can take ownership of a dealership and drive it to the next level.

As General Manager, you will be accountable for the overall performance of the dealership, including:

• Leading and developing high-performing teams across all departments
• Driving financial performance, cost control, and operational excellence
• Building and maintaining strong manufacturer relationships
• Ensuring full compliance with company policies, processes, and legislation
• Creating a safe, professional environment where colleague and customer wellbeing is prioritised

You will lead by example, fostering a culture where delivering the right products and services — suited to customer needs and built on trust — drives long-term loyalty and success.

Your Experience

• A strong track record as a General Manager within the automotive sector
• Proven success across new and used vehicle sales performance
• The ability to deliver both financial results and exceptional customer outcomes
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire teams
• A values-led approach, with integrity at the core of your decision-making

Compliance & Values

As a values-driven business, it is essential that our management team consistently demonstrate behaviours that deliver positive outcomes for our customers. You will be expected to act in good faith at all times, setting the standard within your dealership and operating in a customer‑centric environment where integrity is key.

You will play a key role in driving a culture of responsible business practices, ensuring we deliver the right products and services to meet our customers’ needs, protect them from harm, and encourage long‑term loyalty. Building trust and acting with integrity at all times is fundamental to this role.

To protect our customers and our reputation, successful candidates will be required to undertake a DBS check, along with regular fit and proper person assessments. We will also request references from previous employers as part of our pre‑employment checks.

What You’ll Receive

• 10% Employer Pension Contribution
• Membership of our annual Partnership Share Scheme on top of your on‑target earnings
• Ongoing leadership development with Dale Carnegie training and world‑class mentors
• 25 days’ holiday (rising with service) plus bank holidays
• Private Medical Insurance & Bi‑annual health check
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity pay
• Vertu Rewards platform access for discounts and wellbeing offers

If you’re ready to bring your leadership, experience, and enthusiasm to a dealership full of opportunity, and help drive the success of Vertu Ford Newcastle!