The Connect and Engage Digital Upgrades Senior Manager will play a critical role in shaping the future of the Connect and Engage businesses at Ford Motor Company, with a primary focus on Digital Upgrades. This position will lead business development efforts for new Digital Upgrades across vehicle lines, with a particular focus on retail experiences for both on and off-road, as well as cross-carline applications. The ideal candidate will be a self-directed and accomplished leader with strong business acumen, the ability to navigate complex organizational structures, and a passion for driving innovation in the automotive industry. This role requires the ability to effectively communicate with and influence senior leadership, aligning cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives. **In this position...** + **Business Development Leadership:** + Lead business development activities for new Digital Upgrades initiatives, with a primary focus on retail on and off-road experiences. + Identify, evaluate, and prioritize new opportunities based on market demand, technological feasibility, business viability, and a deep understanding of the customer. + Develop and present compelling business cases for new Digital Upgrades, including market analysis, financial projections, and risk assessments. + Collaborate with engineering, product development, product management, and marketing teams to define Upgrade specifications, pricing strategies, and launch plans. + **Cross-Carline Digital Upgrade Strategy:** + Lead the development of a comprehensive Cross-Carline Digital Upgrade Strategy in partnership with the Technology Strategy and Product Management teams. + Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify key trends and opportunities in the Digital upgrade space. + Define target customer segments and develop tailored upgrade offerings to meet their specific needs and preferences. + Evaluate the viability and scalability of different Digital Upgrade solutions. + **Digital Accessories Strategy:** + Help develop our Digital Accessories strategy. + Outline the business / market opportunity for hardware and software. + **Strategic Planning & Alignment:** + Provide aligned input to the Cycle Plan, ensuring that Digital Upgrade initiatives are integrated into the overall product development roadmap. + Provide aligned input to the Business Plan, ensuring that Digital Upgrade initiatives are aligned with the company's financial goals and objectives. + Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that Digital Upgrade initiatives are aligned with overall vehicle strategy and brand positioning. + **Business Operations:** + Monitor the performance of in-market Digital Upgrades and identify opportunities to improve their profitability and customer satisfaction. + Define, monitor, and analyze KPIs of Digital Upgrades that are in market. + Collaborate with marketing on initiatives to promote the Digital Upgrades via CRM, social, events, etc. and support dealer awareness initiatives. + Identify and integrate Digital Upgrades into new sales channels. + **Market Research & Analysis:** + Coordinate overall upgrades research studies in partnership with marketing and Global Consumer Insights (GCI) teams. + Analyze market trends, customer feedback, and competitive offerings to identify new upgrade opportunities and inform product development decisions. + Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the evolving landscape of connected vehicle services and Digital Upgrades. + **Cross-Functional Collaboration & Influence:** + Work closely with engineering, product development, IT, marketing, sales, finance, and other key partners to ensure the successful development and launch of new upgrades. + Partner with Integrated Services Strategy team to provide consistent support for vehicle program teams, representing the Digital Upgrades business. + Build strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization and effectively communicate the value proposition of digital upgrades. + Navigate Ford's internal processes and procedures to help secure necessary approvals and resources for upgrade initiatives. + **Strategic Study Leadership:** + Provide focused leadership for any applicable strategic studies involving Digital Upgrades. + Help develop a compelling vision for the future of Digital Upgrades across various vehicle architectures, working closely with Digital Product, Design, and Engineering teams. **You'll have...** + Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field. + 7+ years of experience in product management, business development, strategy consulting, or a related field. **Even better, you may have...** + MBA or other relevant advanced degree strongly preferred. + Proven track record of successfully launching new products or services. + Strong understanding of the automotive industry, including vehicle technology, market trends, and competitive landscape. + Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. + Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. + Ability to effectively communicate with and influence senior leadership. + Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment. + Proficiency in financial modeling and business case development. + Self-directed and highly motivated with a strong sense of ownership and accountability. + Comfortable with ambiguity and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply! As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including: • Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage • Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more • Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more • Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases • Tuition assistance • Established and active employee resource groups • Paid time off for individual and team community service • A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day • Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. This position is a leadership level 5. For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/LL5SP1 Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660. Onsite work of up to three days per week may be required for candidates within commuting distance of a Ford hub location. \#LI-Hybrid #CS-2 **Requisition ID** : 45108