Enterprise Sales Director, Automotive

Axle is the insurance communication infrastructure for the age of AI. Leading Fortune 500 lenders, fleet managers and 1200+ franchise dealers use Axle to instantly verify insurance and monitor ongoing coverage, helping them reduce operational cost while creating a frictionless experience for consumers. Axle is supported by top investors, including Gradient, Google's early-stage AI fund, Y Combinator, and industry leaders from Plaid and Cox Automotive. Axle is growing rapidly and looking for our first full-time sales hunter to help scale our Automotive business. This is a unique opportunity to shape and build Axle’s Automotive go-to-market motion from the ground up. You’ll bring deep knowledge of Automotive DMS and CRM platforms, strong relationships with large groups, OEMs, and automotive ecosystem partners, and a clear understanding of how dealerships function across Sales, F&I and Fixed Operations. As a trusted advisor to dealer principals/owners, large groups, OEMs and other ecosystem partners, you’ll show how Axle can reduce risk, streamline operations, and improve bottom-line profitability. You’ll also tap into Axle’s powerful channel ecosystem to accelerate adoption and scale impact across the industry. Finally, you will be a “doer” and are eager to once again roll up your sleeves and dive in to setting up a sales cycle. ### **Why you should consider joining Axle?** * **Be the builder**: First sales hire in the Automotive business unit with the opportunity help drive significant scale. * **Trusted relationships, real impact**: Work directly with executives at the largest dealer groups and OEM partners. * **Cutting-edge technology**: Transform workflows with API-driven, AI-enabled solutions. * **Winning culture**: Join a fast-moving, ambitious team that loves competing and building together. * **Backed by world-class investors**: Google (Gradient Ventures), Y Combinator, and executives from Plaid and Cox Automotive. ### Impact * Build and execute Axle’s Automotive sales playbook from the ground up. * Build and nurture C-level operational relationships at large groups and OEM partners. * Act as a trusted advisor, guiding leaders on risk and profit levers across Fixed Ops, F&I, and Sales. * Drive rapid growth through a mix of direct sales and co-selling with Axle’s trusted channel partners. * Deliver compelling demos and consultative business cases that highlight Axle’s impact on dealer profitability and efficiency. * Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Customer Success to deliver tailored solutions and ensure successful onboarding. * Translate customer insights into product feedback to help shape Axle’s dealer roadmap. ### **What would set you up for success?** * 8 - 10+ years of SaaS sales experience in the automotive retail ecosystem. * Deep expertise in DMS and CRM platforms like CDK, Tekion, Dealertrack and Reynolds & Reynolds. * Track record of President’s Club or top sales awards at previous companies and the willingness to grow a sales organization from 0 to 1. * Proven ability to build and maintain senior relationships across major dealer groups and OEMs. * Strong consultative sales skills, with a history of serving as a trusted advisor to executives. * Strong solution selling skills, with identifying customer gain points and knowing when the product can or can't help them. * Clear understanding of dealership operations and profit centers. * Entrepreneurial builder with a process mindset; thrives in early-stage, fast-growth environments. This includes being process-oriented enough to track your progress and achieve results through the full sales stack (e.g., building a pipeline, finding leads, qualifying leads, selling, closing, etc.). * Ability to work cross-functionally to understand customers, identify feature gaps, and work with our product and solution teams to prioritize them. * Early adopter of AI sales tools and excited to learn / develop more skills. ### Even better if… * 12 - 15+ years selling into large dealer groups, OEMs, or insurers. * Deep relationships with executives across the Top 150 dealer groups. * Prior success introducing new technology categories into the dealer ecosystem. * Experience co-selling with channel partners. * History of thought leadership in dealership technology (e.g., NADA speaking, OEM workshops). ### What you can expect * $260k - $320k (uncapped) OTE * $130k - $160k base * 10% bonus on all closed deals + 10% accelerator once you hit quota * 2 quarter ramp with 75% draw in the first quarter and 30% draw in the second quarter * 0.1 - 0.5% with 4 year vesting cycle, 1 year cliff * Regular travel to customers / conferences * Comprehensive benefits: Competitive comp + equity, medical/dental/vision, 401k, unlimited vacation, flexible hybrid work, annual offsite and bring pets to work. ### **Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Axle** Axle is an equal opportunity workplace - we are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We believe in actively building a team rich in diverse backgrounds, experiences, and opinions to better allow our employees, products, and community to thrive. Visa sponsorship is offered for this role.