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Dealership General Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

The General Manager (GM) is responsible for all store operations including RV Sales, Parts, and ... Demonstrated dealership sales experience and management of a revenue generating team

General Manager

Urbana, IA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The General Manager (GM) is responsible for all store operations including RV Sales, Parts, and ... Demonstrated dealership sales experience and management of a revenue generating team

General Manager

Urbana, IA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

The General Manager (GM) is responsible for all store operations including RV Sales, Parts, and ... Demonstrated dealership sales experience and management of a revenue generating team

General Sales Manager

Clive, IA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Stew Hansen Hyundai, a Ken Garff Automotive Dealership, is currently looking for a talented General Sales Manager that aligns with our core values and acts with respect, integrity, growth, humility ...

Director of Retail Sales

Garner, IA ยท On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

... dealership locations. This role is accountable for sales performance, gross profit, General Manager development, and customer experience consistency across the group . This is a handsโ€‘on ...

Automotive Sales Manager

Spirit Lake, IA ยท On-site

$150K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're an experienced Sales Manager, Desk Manager, General Sales Manager (GSM), or Used Car Manager looking for your next opportunity, this is your chance to join a dealership that values ...

Automotive Sales Manager

Spirit Lake, IA ยท On-site

$150K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you're an experienced Sales Manager, Desk Manager, General Sales Manager (GSM), or Used Car Manager looking for your next opportunity, this is your chance to join a dealership that values ...

Assistant Office Manager

Dubuque, IA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

An Assistant Office Manager at a car dealership supports the Office Manager/Controller in ... general ledger. * Title & Registration: Ensure all vehicle titles, registrations, and lien ...

Assistant Office Manager

Dubuque, IA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

An Assistant Office Manager at a car dealership supports the Office Manager/Controller in ... general ledger. * Title & Registration: Ensure all vehicle titles, registrations, and lien ...

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Showing results 1-20

Dealership General Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$46K

$122.4K

$198.2K

How much do dealership general manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for dealership general manager in Iowa is $122,417.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,400.00 and $180,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a dealership general manager faces in balancing sales performance and customer satisfaction?

A Dealership General Manager often navigates the challenge of driving strong sales numbers while also ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. This requires setting clear performance targets, fostering a customer-centric culture among staff, and quickly addressing any service issues that arise. Balancing these priorities involves close collaboration with sales, service, and finance teams to align goals and maintain positive customer relationships, which ultimately supports long-term business growth. Proactive communication and ongoing staff training are key strategies used to mitigate these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dealership general manager?

To thrive as a Dealership General Manager, you need strong leadership, sales management, and business acumen, often supported by a degree in business or related field and significant automotive industry experience. Familiarity with dealership management systems (DMS), CRM software, and financial analysis tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and team-building skills help foster a productive environment and drive customer satisfaction. These competencies are crucial for maximizing profitability, maintaining operational efficiency, and ensuring long-term dealership success.

What is the difference between Dealership General Manager vs Service Manager?

AspectDealership General ManagerService Manager
Primary FocusOverall dealership operations, sales, and profitabilityService department operations, customer satisfaction, and technician management
Required CredentialsExperience in automotive sales, management, and often a dealership-specific certificationTechnical knowledge, automotive service certifications, and management experience in service
Work EnvironmentDealerships, overseeing sales, finance, and service departmentsService department, working closely with technicians and service advisors
Industry UsageCommonly used in automotive dealerships for top management rolesUsed within service departments to manage daily operations

The Dealership General Manager oversees the entire dealership, including sales and finance, while the Service Manager focuses specifically on the service department's operations and customer satisfaction. Both roles require automotive industry experience but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What does a dealership general manager do?

Dealership general managers (GMs) oversee the operations of all the various departments within the dealership. The most common type of dealership is an automotive dealership, but other examples include those that sell RVs, boats or other outdoor vehicles, and large equipment. As a dealership general manager, you set sales goals for the sales team, create and manage the company budget, and approve contracts made in the financing department. You manage inventory, oversee vehicle acquisitions operations, and develop strategies to increase sales and profits at the dealership. General managers also hire and train new employees and establish employee compensation and benefits.

What is a dealership general manager?

A Dealership General Manager is the executive responsible for overseeing all operations of an automotive dealership. This includes managing sales, service, finance, and administrative departments to ensure profitability and customer satisfaction. They set business goals, develop strategies, supervise staff, and maintain relationships with manufacturers and customers. The general manager also monitors performance metrics and ensures that the dealership complies with industry regulations and company policies.

What are popular job titles related to Dealership General Manager jobs in Iowa?

For Dealership General Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Dealership General Manager jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Dealership General Manager jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Dealership General Manager jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Dealership General Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Dealership General Manager job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $122,417 per year, or $58.9 per hour.

General Manager - Multi-Unit

Pritchard Auto Company

Forest City, IA โ€ข On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description


Position Summary

The General Manager is responsible for the overall performance and operations of two dealership locations in Forest City, Iowa. This role leads all departments within the dealerships and ensures execution of business objectives through strong leadership, operational discipline, and sound business practices.

The General Manager is accountable for driving sales performance, customer satisfaction, and team development, while maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations and upholding the highest ethical standards. This role serves as the primary leader for both locations and is responsible for aligning day‑to‑day operations with broader company goals.


Core ResponsibilitiesOperations & Performance
  • Manage and direct all departments, including sales, service, parts, and administration
  • Oversee daily operations across both locations to ensure efficiency and consistency
  • Coordinate activities across departments to drive overall dealership performance
  • Maintain an active presence in operations to support teams and resolve issues

Sales & Inventory Management
  • Establish sales targets and performance expectations
  • Oversee inventory levels for new and used vehicles to meet market demand
  • Review key deals and support appraisal decisions when needed
  • Ensure alignment between inventory strategy and sales performance

Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead, manage, and develop all department managers
  • Set short‑ and long‑term goals for department leaders
  • Hire, coach, and monitor performance of leadership team members
  • Build a culture of accountability, performance, and ethical leadership

Customer Experience
  • Maintain involvement with customers to ensure high levels of satisfaction
  • Ensure delivery of quality service and products across all departments
  • Address customer issues and ensure resolution in a timely manner

Strategy & Business Planning
  • Support development and execution of short‑ and long‑term business plans
  • Align dealership operations with company goals and expectations
  • Identify opportunities to improve performance, efficiency, and growth

Compliance & Standards
  • Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations
  • Maintain adherence to company policies, procedures, and ethical standards
  • Uphold professional standards across all departments

Additional Responsibilities
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support business needs and operations

Qualifications & ExperienceRequired
  • 5+ years of management experience in automotive or dealership operations
  • Experience leading multi-department operations (sales, service, parts, or similar)
  • Proven ability to drive operational performance and team results
  • Strong leadership and organizational skills
  • Ability to manage and develop a diverse team

Preferred
  • Experience managing multiple locations or large-scale operations
  • Strong understanding of dealership operations and performance drivers
  • Prior experience in automotive retail sales leadership
  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration or equivalent experience

Key Attributes
  • Strong ownership and accountability mindset
  • Results‑driven with focus on performance and execution
  • Effective communicator across employees, customers, and vendors
  • High level of integrity and professionalism
  • Customer‑focused and solutions‑oriented
  • Operationally disciplined and detail‑oriented

Work Environment

This is a full-time, onsite role based in Forest City, Iowa, with responsibility across two dealership locations. The role requires extended hours, including evenings and weekends, based on business needs.


Success Measures
  • Achievement of sales and operational targets across both locations
  • Strong performance and retention of department leadership
  • High customer satisfaction and service quality
  • Consistent execution across both locations