Job Details

Job Description
The Manager, Emerging Business - Connectivity is responsible for researching, planning, and developing connectivity solutions that drive both customer experience and new business revenue. This includes exploring opportunities in vehicle connectivity systems, customer touchpoints, data monetization, and other initiatives that diversify and deepen customer relationships. The role leads the development, integration, and optimization of connected vehicle technologies, including telematics, over-the-air services, and vehicle or digital features enabled by connectivity, while overseeing cross-functional projects that bring these innovations to market.

In addition, the Manager will assess emerging connectivity businesses and technologies in the U.S. market, creating business development plans that generate new revenue, strengthen customer engagement, or deliver cost savings. The Manager works closely with teams across MNAO, global regions, and MC Japan, fostering collaboration across marketing, operations, legal, finance, strategy, engineering, and IT. Managing multiple stakeholders and projects, this role ensures alignment within the Emerging Business Office and supports the successful launch and operation of connectivity-driven business and vehicle initiatives.

Major Responsibilities

• (40%) Program Planning and Launch
  • Lead the implementation, planning, and execution of the team and stakeholders for successful launch and operation including but not limited to project management, vendor selection, contracts, communication with customers and dealers. Set monitoring mechanisms such as KPIs, objectives, etc.
  • Develop detailed project plans from initial development through execution lifecycle.
  • Track project roadmaps including operational workflows, performance, and areas for efficiency across the program.
  • Manage vendor selection process; develops, negotiates, implements and monitors contracts, ensuring greatest benefit to customer experience and corporate profitability.
  • Identify risks and inefficiencies in business processes and recommend solutions.
  • Develop reporting to ensure key results are shared with stakeholders and provide insights/recommendations for future activity based on results.
  • Keep stakeholders and management informed about business performance, needs, opportunities, and risks.
  • Develop and maintain a strong understanding of connectivity technology and its application to achieve business objectives. Oversee systems hardware/software tests and trials to evaluate quality of performance and resolve issues in a timely manner.

• (30%) Business Plan Development
  • Develop and execute connectivity program strategies to achieve business objectives aligned with the Emerging Business Office.
  • Proactively research and analyze emerging connectivity business and technology trends in the US market (market size, growth, competition, customer needs, etc.) to identify new opportunities to position MNAO as an industry leader.
  • Lead business case development proposals which involve interfacing with the appropriate stakeholders across MNAO, other global regions, and/or MC Japan.
  • Ensure organizational alignment to develop new launch strategies to realize new/increased revenue and branded CX.
  • Build and foster collaborative relationships with all stakeholders.
  • Facilitate communication among stakeholders to create a collaborative working environment.
  • Provide support and direction to stakeholders, and/or obtain necessary support from management.
  • Foster teamwork among all the related parties.

• (20%) Performance & Quality Management
  • Establish KPIs for connectivity systems (e.g., uptime, latency, error rates) and products (e.g., take rate/penetration, churn, engagement). Influence quality assurance and testing procedures for connectivity systems. Monitor and report on program status and performance.

• (10%) Leadership & Department Management
  • Lead and mentor EBO Connectivity team and foster a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and collaboration.
  • Set department priorities, allocate resources, and hold staff accountable for results.
  • Drive staff development, performance management, and adherence to company policies.
  • Manage department budget, reporting, and performance metrics.
  • Promote the Mazda Pride Point culture with a focus on collaboration, continuous improvement, quality, and accountability.

• Perform other duties as assigned
• Comply with all policies and standards
• The preceding functions have been provided as examples of the types of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job

#LI-Remote

Work Experience

• 6+ years experience in product management, business development, strategic planning or related field required
• 3+ years experience within the automotive/OEM industry with a focus on automotive technology required
• Experience leading projects and/or project teams preferred

Education

• Bachelor Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) Business Administration/Management
• An equivalent mix of education, training, and/or work experience may be considered in place of a degree Required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Ability to build and foster teamwork among all groups and at all levels. (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Strong understanding of the interdependencies between technology, operations, and business needs. (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Must be able to utilize appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to influence and guide individuals/department or groups towards task accomplishment. (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management, employees, customers, and external vendors. (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Must be able to clearly and effectively communicate both orally and in writing using good grammatical form, both in general correspondence, as well as on technical issues. (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks are essential. Must be able to establish a course of action for others/department to accomplish specific goals; must plan and prioritize proper assignments of personnel and/or appropriate allocation of resources. (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Ability to independently organize work processes, set priorities and make critical decisions. (Intermediate-Advanced)
• Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word, Project Access, PowerPoint and Outlook, as well as the ability to learn and effectively utilize other software applications used within the Company. (Intermediate-Advanced)

Physical Demands

• Stationary Position/Seated: Constantly
• Communicate/Talking: Constantly
• Communicate/Hearing: Constantly
• Repetitive Motions: Frequently
• Coordination: Frequently
• Seeing/Observing: Constantly

We support Remote work in the following states:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

Pay Range
$104,200.00 - $158,950.00
Salary to be determined by education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.

Learn more about MNAO's comprehensive benefits package here