Client Partner, Media & Digital Solutions

cars; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cars Commerce in the Chicago area is seeking a Client Partner, Media & Digital Solutions to grow revenue across Dealer Inspire and Cars Commerce Media Network. You will collaborate with Account Executives and Performance Managers to identify opportunities and close new business.

Candidates should have deep knowledge of automotive digital marketing, 5+ years in retail automotive or digital agency work, and the ability to present to both business and technical audiences.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in retail automotive or digital agency sales.
• Proven ability to close sales and meet quotas.
• Experience presenting to business and technical audiences.
• Strong knowledge of automotive digital marketing and media.

Responsibilities

• Work cross-functionally to identify growth opportunities and develop action plans on customer accounts.
• Create a monthly pipeline of new business and manage the sales cycle from prospecting to closing.
• Leverage knowledge of paid search, social, OTT/CTV, video, SEO, programmatic, and retargeting to grow media revenue.
• Consult with clients on digital strategy and present product value to business and technical users.
• Audit customer websites to optimize digital solutions for KPIs.
• Develop trusted partner relationships to grow revenues over time.
• Analyze customer needs and tailor strategies.
• Maintain and report on sales activity, forecasts and closing timetables.
• Champion customer commitments through implementations and ensure satisfaction.
• Obtain competitive information to guide marketing and sales strategies.

Skills

Sales

SaaS

Digital ads

Negotiation

Presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM

Job description

Be essential at Cars Commerce

At Cars Commerce, we're fanatical about simplifying everything about car buying and selling. We do right by our customers and consumers to better connect the industry with simplified and tierless technology to enhance, measure and drive local automotive retail. Whether through our No.1 most recognized marketplace, Cars.com, our industry-leading digital experience, Dealer Inspire, our trade and appraisal technology, AccuTrade, our reputation-based digital wholesale auction marketplace, Dealerclub, or our new Cars Commerce Media Network, Cars Commerce is essential for success in the automotive industry.

No one ever travels alone here: at its core, Cars Commerce is collaboration. In fact, it's built into the very fabric of our shared values. We like to say we Rise Together - putting people at the center of what we do, from consumer to customer to community. Life at Cars Commerce makes it easy when we share the ethos to be Open to All, encouraging open-minded communication because we know diverse thinking yields better outcomes. But critical to our success is Caring to Challenge and Taking Ownership, fueling a competitive spirit in a respectful environment where we think about tomorrow but act today. At our foundation, we have integrity, Doing the Right Thing, even when it's hard. It's our shared commitment to these values that makes Cars Commerce a place where growth becomes not only possible, but downright unavoidable.

But don't take our word for it. We are proud to be named one of Built In's 2026 Best Places to Work in Chicago and across the U.S. Ready to make your mark? Join a team that's driving real change in the automotive industry.

Client Partner, Media & Digital Solutions

Candidates must be based in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, or the greater Chicago area, with a willingness to travel to client sites to meet in person with clients.

About the Role:

The Client Partner, Media & Digital Solutions will be responsible for working with Cars Commerce Account Executives, Performance Managers, and Management to grow revenue across Dealer Inspire and Cars Commerce Media Network. This position will help identify, create and close new business and upsell opportunities across their assigned territory promoting digital advertising strategy, media planning, websites, and related technology solutions.

Candidates should possess superior knowledge of the automotive industry digital marketing and media best practices. Successful candidates should have a minimum of 5+ years of working in the retail automotive and/or digital agency industry. Should be proficient in presenting and leading strategic media discussions and conducting product demonstrations. Travel is required on an as needed basis to present to clients in person.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work cross-functionally to identify growth opportunities and develop action plans on customer accounts.
• Create a monthly pipeline of new business and manage the entire sales cycle including prospecting, outreach, needs analysis, demonstrations, negotiating, and closing business.
• Leverage advanced knowledge of paid search, social advertising, OTT/CTV, video advertising, search engine optimization, programmatic display, and retargeting to develop media plans and grow recurring media revenue.
• Consult with clients on their overall digital strategy and be able to present recommendations and communicate product value to both business and technical users.
• Audit customer websites to recognize areas to optimize with digital solutions that deliver on key performance indicators.
• Develop trusted partner relationships with customers to grow revenues over time.
• Analyze customer needs and implement strategies tailored to each organization.
• Maintain and report regularly on sales activity, revenue forecasts and closing timetables.
• Champion customers commitment through implementation phases and guide supporting teams to ensure customer satisfaction and success.
• Obtain competitive information and distribute as appropriate to guide marketing and sales strategies.

Requirements:

• Proven ability to identify and close sales opportunities.
• Demonstrated consistent quota attainment track record with a continuous desire to win.
• Excellent planning and solutions selling experience.
• Motivated and comfortable working remotely in a home office as well as from the road/field..
• Ability to conduct in-depth sales presentations including product demonstrations that highlight key benefits, return on investment and the value of solutions and services.
• Proven persuasion and negotiation skills.
• Experience in the automotive space or digital agency.
• Excellent communication, presentation and customer relationship building skills.
• Strong business acumen.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience.
• Overall experience selling advertising or complex SaaS/software solutions to business leaders.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

In this spirit