Director Strategy Operations Transformation

The Director, Strategy & Operations (Transformation) leads the design and delivery of one of AutoNation's most consequential transformation programs: reengineering how the company sells vehicles. Anchored in Sales and Digital Retail, this role builds a modern, technology-led sales operating model — starting with used vehicles and AutoNation USA, then extending across the franchise network and into new cars. It sits at the center of AutoNation's North Star agenda, an enterprise-wide effort to modernize how a leading American automotive retailer sells, with multi-hundred-million-dollar P&L impact at scale. This is a builder's and operator's role, not a strategy-deck role. As a core member of the transformation office, you will architect the target-state sales operating model — the processes, roles, and workflows — and own the coordination that carries the Sales and Digital Retail workstreams from approved business case through rollout to value capture. You will be the connective tissue across the program, and you will work directly with Brand Presidents and the Chief Operating Officer to translate the model into a multi-brand, multi-franchise environment, accounting for individual brand nuances and OEM requirements as the model scales across the network. You operate strategically and in the details. You bring the discipline to redesign core business processes and the credibility to win adoption in the field, aligning executives and store operators around hard decisions and pairing exceptional synthesis and communication skills with the conviction to push through ambiguity — changing a traditional model into something faster, more digital, and more customer-centric.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect the sales operating model: Design the target-state Sales and Digital Retail operating model — the processes, roles, workflows, and store-level economics — beginning with used vehicles and AutoNation USA, and bring the new sales operating model to life as a core operating capability.
• Own end-to-end execution: Carry the Sales and Digital Retail workstreams from approved business case through pilot, rollout, and value capture — accountable not for the plan alone, but for the result and its P&L impact.
• Lead Sales Operating model as part of the transformation office: Serve as a core member and coordinating force of the transformation office, managing cross-workstream sequencing, dependencies, governance, and reporting so the program stays honest to its numbers and its timeline.
• Translate the model across brands: Partner with Brand Presidents and the Executive Committee to adapt the operating model to individual brand nuances and OEM requirements in a multi-brand, multi-franchise environment, ensuring the model scales without losing its integrity.
• Scale across the network: Sequence the rollout from used cars and AutoNation USA into the franchise network and new car, proving the model in market and then extending it store by store, region by region.
• Win executive and operator adoption: Align the Executive Committee, Brand Presidents, and store operators around hard decisions on roles, compensation, and process, driving genuine adoption of new best-practice sales processes in the field.
• Build the analytical backbone: Develop the financial and operational models, KPIs, and reporting that size the opportunity, quantify impact, and hold every initiative accountable to its targets.
• Lead change and develop talent: Surface risks early, remove the blockers that stall transformation work, and coach a growing transformation-office bench — setting a high bar for rigor, ownership, and execution.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience leading enterprise transformation, operating-model redesign, or large-scale operational programs, with a definitive track record of taking cross-functional initiatives from concept to measurable result.
• Operating-model & process redesign: Proven ability to redesign core sales or commercial operating models — processes, roles, and workflows — in a multi-unit or distributed retail environment, and to make the change stick in the field.
• Digital-disruptor playbook: experience adapting a digital-disruptor or direct-to-consumer commercial playbook, translating modern, technology-led retail practices into an established operating environment.
• Influence without authority: Demonstrated success leading through influence rather than formal hierarchy — building trust across operators, finance, and corporate functions and getting teams that don't report to you to deliver.
• Executive presence: Superb communication and synthesis skills, with the gravity to align senior executives and Brand Presidents around difficult decisions and to command a room of experienced operators.
• Analytical rigor: Strong financial and operational modeling, with the judgment to know which analysis actually drives a decision and the discipline to hold initiatives to their numbers.
• Comfort with ambiguity: Ability to move from an ambiguous, enterprise-level challenge to a clear execution roadmap autonomously, without waiting to be told how.
• Industry context: Experience in automotive retail, mobility, or multi-brand, multi-unit distributed consumer operations is strongly preferred.
• Consulting: Post-MBA tenure at a top-tier management consulting firm is a plus; equivalent operating and transformation experience is fully credited and equally valued.

Education BS/BA degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, or a related field; MBA strongly preferred. Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You

• Competitive compensation and 401k matching
• A healthy work-life balance with insurance plans (health, dental, vision) and maternity benefits
• Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear
• Access to deals and discounts through YouDecide, a website with offers from top providers and retailers
• Join our DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment, partnering with cancer charities nationwide

AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve. AutoNation is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our workplace and the services we provide. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a positive impact. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Join our team and help us foster a culture of belonging while contributing to our work in the automotive industry. We value innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.

Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You:

• Competitive compensation and 401k matching

• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with insurance plans (health, dental, vision) and maternity benefits.

• Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear

• Access amazing deals and discounts through YouDecide, a website with offers from top providers and retailers

• Join our DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment, partnering with cancer charities nationwide

AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve.

AutoNation is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our workplace and the services we provide. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a positive impact. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Join our team and help us foster a culture of belonging while contributing to our revolutionary work in the automotive industry. We value innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.