Arbitration Director (Manheim)

Company

Cox Automotive - USA

Vehicle Operations

Director, Arbitration

DirectorHybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week

Yes, 50% of the time

Day

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $147,200.00 - $245,300.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

The Director of Arbitration is responsible for leading arbitration operations across a region, serving as a strategic partner to General Managers and Regional Vice President. This role plays a critical part in driving regional consistency, operational excellence, and compliance with NAAA guidelines and organizational policies. The Director is accountable for mitigating financial and reputational risks by proactively managing arbitration claims, ensuring policy adherence, and overseeing loss prevention programs. Additionally, the Director will collaborate with other Regional Directors across the organization to ensure cross-regional consistency, share best practices, and engage in strategic planning initiatives. By leveraging data-driven insights, the Director will shape the future of arbitration operations and contribute to the company's risk management and continuous improvement efforts.

Finalized candidate must be based out of or willing to relocate to Riverside CA, Anaheim CA, Fontana CA, or Phoenix AZ

Travel Expected to be: 40%

What You'll Do:

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and mentor a team of Senior Managers, Arbitration Managers, and other arbitration staff across the region. Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and operational excellence while providing development opportunities for team members to grow in their roles

• Escalation & Complex Case Management: Serve as the ultimate escalation point for high-risk arbitration disputes, including cases with significant financial or reputational implications. Collaborate with senior leadership, legal teams, and external stakeholders to resolve critical issues while maintaining compliance with NAAA guidelines.

• Regional Leadership & Strategy Execution: Lead arbitration operations across a region, serving as a strategic partner to General Managers and Regional Vice President to align arbitration strategies with broader organizational goals. Ensure consistent execution of arbitration initiatives that drive operational efficiency, client satisfaction, and compliance across locations.

• Policy & Compliance Oversight: Lead the review and communication of arbitration policies across the region, ensuring compliance with NAAA guidelines and local regulations. Partner with other Regional Directors to ensure consistent application of policies nationwide.

• Risk Mitigation & Loss Prevention: Develop and implement regional loss prevention programs aimed at reducing risks associated with arbitration claims, including those within a substantial $5+ billion claims portfolio. Analyze arbitration data to identify patterns of risk and collaborate with other Regional Directors to establish preventative measures that mitigate financial and reputational losses.

• Industry Representation & Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the organization at industry forums, including the NAAA Standards Committee, and ensure the company remains competitive in arbitration best practices. Act as a key point of contact for external stakeholders, ensuring that arbitration trends and challenges are addressed in collaboration with national leadership.

• Cross-Regional Collaboration & Strategic Planning: Collaborate with other Regional Directors of Arbitration across the organization to ensure cross-regional consistency in arbitration operations. Engage in strategic planning sessions with other directors, sharing best practices, developing national policies, and implementing initiatives to drive efficiency and continuous improvement at a national level.

• Cross-Location Arbitration Consistency: Ensure that arbitration processes are standardized across all locations in the region. Lead the development of best practices and operational tools to streamline arbitration procedures and reduce variability in case outcomes.

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Drive regional continuous improvement initiatives in arbitration, focusing on process optimization, cost reduction, and enhanced client service. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Operations Excellence (OpEx), Technology, and Risk Management, to implement innovative tools and processes that improve arbitration operations across the region.

• Performance & KPI Management: Oversee the regional arbitration team’s performance, ensuring that KPIs related to resolution times, customer satisfaction, and financial outcomes are consistently met. Utilize data and analytics to identify trends, improve efficiency, and inform regional and national arbitration strategies.

Required Experience & Specialized Knowledge and skills

• Bachelor’s deg2ree in business, Automotive Services, or a related field 10+ years of experience in arbitration, operations management, or risk management within the automotive auction industry; 5+ years of leadership experience, overseeing multi-site or regional operations; An equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable

• Deep understanding of NAAA policies and automotive remarketing arbitration processes

• Proven ability to manage complex escalations and maintain high-level client relationships

• Strong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills

• Expertise in data-driven decision-making, with experience managing KPIs and performance analytics

• Ability to travel extensively across the region

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with both physical and digital auction arbitration processes

• Experience leading large-scale process improvement initiatives

• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies

• Active participation in industry organizations such as NAAA

To be employed in this role, you’ll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells – or simply uses – cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry-leading dealer-facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people-centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision),