Director Automotive Variable Operations Jobs in California

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Palo Alto, CA Audi Luxury performance brand Silicon Valley General Manager Variable ops F&I Leadership Veterans encouraged to apply $200,000 - $350,000+
IS THIS YOU?
• You're a variable-first operator - you can desk deals, read a sales floor, and know who's performing and who isn't
• You develop salespeople, not just manage them - you've taken green teams and built them into producers
• You run a business, not just a sales department - P&L ownership, process improvement, and holding culture and accountability at the same time
WHO WE ARE
Swickard Auto Group is a hospitality company that happens to sell and service cars. We believe the best guest experiences start with the best employee experiences. That's why we've grown to 40+ rooftops across the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii while maintaining a culture built on one simple idea: do right by people, every time.
Audi Palo Alto is a high-volume luxury store in one of the most competitive and affluent automotive markets in the country. The store has the traffic, the brand, and the guest base to support strong performance. What it needs is a General Manager who can unlock that potential - by developing the sales team, tightening the variable operation, and building a culture of accountability and execution that the store's volume demands.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
• Own full P&L accountability for Audi Palo Alto - driving revenue, gross profit, and expense discipline across new, used, F&I, and fixed operations
• Lead and develop a sales team that is generating appointments but not closing them - your ability to train, desk, and develop consultants is the primary lever for growth at this store
• Build a complete variable operation - new car, pre-owned, and F&I must all perform. You understand how each function interconnects and you manage them as a system, not in silos
• Desk deals and hold the desk accountable - you know what a good deal looks like and you're on the floor making it happen, not just reviewing reports
• Drive process improvement across the sales operation - from lead handling and appointment setting to T.O. structure and delivery process
• Recruit, develop, and retain sales talent - this is a green team that needs a builder, not a manager who inherits a finished product
• Lead the guest experience end-to-end - every interaction should reflect Audi brand standards and Swickard's hospitality-first values
• Partner with Swickard corporate on OEM relations, compliance, and enterprise initiatives while maintaining operational autonomy at the store level
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
• 5+ years of General Manager or GSM experience at a franchised dealership - luxury or high-line brand experience strongly preferred
• Deep variable operations background - you have personally desked deals, managed F&I, and run a pre-owned operation. This is non-negotiable
• Proven track record of developing salespeople - you've taken teams that weren't closing and turned them into producers through coaching, process, and accountability
• Strong F&I expertise - you understand penetration, PVR, lender relationships, and compliance, and you can lead an F&I department to top-tier performance
• Business acumen that goes beyond selling cars - you read financial statements, manage expenses, and make decisions based on data
• A builder's mindset - you're energized by developing people and building process, not just inheriting a high-performing team
• Executive presence and accountability culture - you set high standards, hold the team to them, and do it in a way that drives motivation rather than fear
• Audi or European luxury brand experience a strong plus
WHAT WE OFFER
• Income potential of $200,000 - $350,000+ annually - a 200-250 unit/month store with strong gross potential and the market to support it
• Full P&L ownership and operational autonomy backed by Swickard's corporate infrastructure
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance and supplemental coverage options
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Career growth within a 40+ rooftop organization - GMs at Swickard have a direct path to platform director and executive leadership
• Employee vehicle purchase and service discounts
WHY AUDI PALO ALTO
• A 200-250 unit/month store with a loyal, high-net-worth guest base in Silicon Valley - the volume and the market are here. The opportunity is real for a GM who can execute
• Audi is one of the most technically sophisticated and passionately followed luxury brands in the world - a guest base that rewards advisors and leaders who match their standard
• The store is generating traffic and appointments - the gap is conversion and sales team development. A strong variable operator will see results quickly
• Swickard is one of the fastest-growing dealer groups in the country - ranked Top 5 in North America for reputation in the automotive industry
• Our HEART values - Honor, Engage, Anticipate, Respond, Thank - are the foundation of how we lead, hire, and serve
• A leadership team that sets clear expectations, gives its GMs room to operate, and backs them with the tools, training, and support to succeed
Audi Palo Alto has the brand, the market, and the guest traffic to be a top-performing store. The General Manager who joins this team will inherit a store with real upside - a strong appointment pipeline, a motivated team, and a market that supports premium performance. What's needed is the variable expertise and leadership discipline to close the gap between the traffic the store generates and the results it produces.
If you're a proven operator who builds teams, runs a complete variable operation, and knows how to drive a culture of accountability and performance - we'd like to meet you.
Salary Description
$200K - $350K+ OTE annually