Background
With over 15 years of experience in account management, sales and leadership, I have successfully managed various facets of employee benefits, business, marketing, digital strategy, and account direction for leading SaaS providers, auto dealers and businesses across multiple verticals. I have specialized expertise in employee benefits, integrated marketing, team leadership, brand management, business analytics, change management, and strategy development. I am a visionary leader who focuses on growth, accountability, and culture, directing large teams of diverse people and products through all stages of the business lifecycle. I am passionate about identifying new market opportunities, partnering with businesses on their employee benefits offerings and creating a service experience that positively impacts and resonates with my clients and their employees. Core competencies include:
Employee Benefits | Account Management | People & Team Leadership | Digital Strategy | Marketing Strategy | Business Operations | Branding & Messaging | Market Analysis | Creative Direction | Technical Ability | Marketing Analytics | Budgeting
Work History
FEB 2024 - PRESENT
Client Advisor – Employee Benefits
Acrisure
As a Client Advisor at Acrisure, I help clients design, implement and manage employee benefit solutions that fit their needs and budget. I leverage my Six Sigma Green Belt certification and extensive experience in business development, marketing, account management and strategy to create value that differentiates us from the competition and drives customer retention and satisfaction.
SEP 2023 - DEC 2023
Director, Customer Success – Enterprise Accounts
LeadVenture
I provided leadership and direction to functional teams within LeadVenture, including Dealer Spike, Level 5 & Interact RV. These teams managed the websites, advertising, marketing and customer success for the largest, most successful and influential groups in their respective industries. I directed operational matters within the department including operational excellence, HR, recruiting, compensation, capacity planning, mentoring, coaching, business strategy, reporting/analytics, and KPI management.
SEP 2021 - SEPT 2023
Senior Manager – Marketing Operations – Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive
Provide leadership and direction to functional teams including Vin Solutions Automotive Marketing Platform (AMP), Vin Solutions Target Pro Plus & Esntial Marketing Automation. Direct operational matters within the department including operational excellence, HR, recruiting, compensation, capacity planning, mentoring, coaching, business strategy, reporting & analytics, and KPI management. Charged with accountability for 80+ Managers, Supervisors, Account Managers, Digital Marketing Specialists, Campaign Specialist, and Contractors. Managed existing product offering and future opportunities. Aligned goals in a connected manner that supported the team. Direct service teams driving the retention of $2.6 million dollars per month in monthly reoccurring revenue.
AUG 2019 - SEPT 2021
Manager, Content & Creative – Managed Services
Dealer.com
Directed a team of 12 Campaign Coordinators, 4 Campaign Specialists, and 1 supervisor with 15 Campaign Specialists. Executed the creation and deployment of custom creative assets & landing pages for some of the nation’s largest OEMs & dealers. Recommended digital strategy and executed the vision. Maintained accountability for the Content & Creative relationship with Subaru of New England as well as served as the first contact with everything related to Ford, Lincoln, and General Motors. Served as a board member on the Culture of Trust team while identifying and solutioning ways to foster a culture of trust. Awarded the Q4, 2020 GSD award for performance excellence.
JUN 2019 - OCT 2019
Program Manager – Enterprise & Major Accounts
Dealer.com
The Program Manager is responsible for building, maintaining, and optimizing relationships with large automotive groups, OEM's, and other key partners. I was the Program Manager for Luther Automotive (https://www.lutherauto.com/) out of Minneapolis, MN. They are one of the largest auto groups in the nation with over 37 stores in MN, ND, AK & WI. The Program Manager serves as the primary point of contact with corporate level partners, develops and executes against internal and client facing goals, manages the program and product roadmap in partnership with the customer, continually builds and refines program processes to drive efficiency, analyzes business value and reports on KPI's, and proposes initiatives to maximizes sales by leveraging the full Dealer.com and Cox Automotive product set. Strong communication skills, astute client relationship management abilities, priority-focused mentality, analytical and strategic results-oriented thinking, and dynamic team building skills describe the successful candidates for this position. Experience in automotive retail / sales, key account management, software design & development, business analysis, and foundational project management skills will help candidates achieve success.
FEB 2018 - AUG 2019
Manager, Performance Management – Enterprise & Major Accounts
Dealer.com
Managed a team of 14 extremely talented Website Strategists, Digital Advertising Strategists and Program Coordinators that manage the websites & digital advertising for some of the largest and most successful automotive dealership groups in the nation including Hendrick, Group 1, AutoNation, Penske, Lithia, Sonic, West Herr and Gillman. They managed the relationships, recommended the digital strategy and executed the vision. I was 1 of 5 managers that lead the Enterprise/Major Accounts team at Dealer.com, in charge of but not limited to: People management, project management, career development, performance management, staffing & recruiting, business growth & retention, client satisfaction & relationships, digital strategy advising & training, initiatives, travel budget, conflict resolution, data & reporting generation/analysis and more.
DEC 2017 - JUN 2018
Performance Management Team Lead – Enterprise & Major Accounts
Dealer.com
As a Team Lead, I was a resource for the digital strategists managing the top 61 largest automotive dealership groups in America. While continuing to personally manage Hendrick Automotive Group (the largest privately held dealership group in the US), I fielded questions and assisted with issues, process, strategy and act as a backup manager when needed. I had an expanded role in team meetings, coaching & mentoring and lending all of the knowledge that I have learned over the years while working at Dealer.com.
SEP 2016 - DEC 2017
Senior Performance Manager – Enterprise & Major Accounts
Dealer.com
Managed Hendrick Automotive Group (The largest privately held dealership group in the US - https://www.hendrickcars.com/). Guided corporate and rooftops through the Digital Marketing/Automotive landscape with expertise in SEO, digital advertising, website best practices, merchandising, industry trends, products and more. Provided training & support for clients on a daily basis. Reviewed clients' Website & Marketing analytics monthly and provided suggestions on how to improve performance and results. Made quarterly visits to dealerships in the field to bolster relationships and hold strategy conversations in person.
SEP 2014 - SEP 2016
Senior Performance Manager – Retail
Dealer.com
Managed 100s of single-point and small/medium/large dealership groups. Guided clients through the Digital Marketing/Automotive landscape with expertise in SEO, digital advertising, website best practices, merchandising, industry trends, products and more. Provided training & support for clients on a daily basis. Reviewed clients' Website & Marketing analytics monthly and provided suggestions on how to improve performance and results.
MAR 2014 - SEP 2014
Digital Specialist
Dealer.com
Managed over 130 Chrysler & Fiat dealership's digital advertising campaigns (Paid Search & Display) by reviewing performance analytics and making recommendations to increase performance. Managed the OEMSS & Subaru of NE Support Queues and the BMW CPO portal: Managed all incoming email requests & calls (not resolved on call) for changes to websites, installation of third party products & code, inventory, leads, configuration, troubleshooting & much more, from over 600 unmanaged car dealerships that have a site with us. I then assign the tasks to my team & support them until completion.
AUG 2012 - NOV 2013
Account Executive
Digital Benefit Advisors
While at Digital Benefit Advisors, I continued selling new business, managing current clients and aiding my colleagues in many other ways, including but not limited to: carrier relationships, conferences, marketing, administration, employee education, mentoring, budgeting and health care reform.
AUG 2010 - AUG 2012
Small Business Account Manager
Hickok & Boardman HR Intelligence
Aided & navigated my clients through the healthcare, human resource & ancillary insurance industry in Vermont. I worked with over 100 businesses, over 1,000 employees & managed over $1,000,000 in premium.
JUL 2008 - JUL 2010
Guest Services Manager
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG
Holiday Inn Express, South Burlington VT: Ensured that my team treated customers with the utmost attention & care, trained staff on roles & responsibilities, interviewed potential employees, took part in the hiring process, and managed the front of house.
Education & Certifications
2024
Insurance Producer – Accident and Health or Sickness, Life
State of Vermont
Credential ID License No: 782088
2019
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Cox Media Group
I was sponsored and completed a 9 month intensive certification process and earned my LSSGBC.
2008
Recreational Management & Tourism
University of Vermont
Graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Private Recreational Management & Tourism
Extracurricular
2020 - 2023
Dealer Marketing Culture of Trust Board Member
Employee Resource Group
Elevate the voice of the organization. Drive business behavior accountability. Communicate the outcomes. Power the results.
Testimonials
My Full Team
Winner of the Q4 2020 Get Shi*t Done Award for all of Dealer Software Solutions
I was awarded the Q4, 2020 GSD Award after my team collaborated and nominated me: “Dale Parker has been a constant source of encouragement, positive energy and solid leadership for our team over the past several months. After the transition to working from home, he adapted to our needs by implementing frequent weekly scrums so that our voices and feedback could be heard. Our input on workflows, new best practices and communication with internal teams and clients have all improved thanks to his support and ability to listen to ideas to enact change. Included in this was the proactive testing and implementation of the Creative Intake Form that feeds directly into Salesforce, which our team and others utilize on a daily basis. When our team was short-staffed and experiencing an unprecedented volume of requests, Dale stepped in to field questions, take on new challenges or responsibilities that arose and advocated for us to receive further assistance. This resulted in a large-scale cross-team collaboration including Designers, Coordinators, Specialists & Implementation that has been so crucial to our success recently. Dale is also a leading member of the Culture of Trust Panel, championing the power of transparency and trust both within and outside of our team. Dale's experience within different parts of DDC has prepared him to be the best possible manager of our team, and his dedication shows every day. He is a role model for many of us, hears our voices, sincerely cares for his team and most importantly he GETS SH*T DONE!”
Obie Ogene
Senior Director, Finance – Cox Business
This recommendation is to say a few things about Dale Parker. I led the DDC Enterprise Performance Management team for about 2.5 years. During my leadership, a handful of people stood out. Dale was at that top of list of my high potentials. When I think of Dale, a couple of things come to mind. 1. Leadership - He knows how to lead, and people follow him. 2. He knows the business and clients well. 3. Diligence - He works hard to get the job done…very reliable. If I had an opportunity, I’d hire Dale again. I recommend anyone who wants to make significant positive impact should do the same. If you have more questions or want to talk, please let me know.
Ryan Bolz
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING & ECOMMERCE / HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
I’m a firm believer that people carry a certain gravity… a weight of spirit and purpose that can shape the room around them. Dale Parker demonstrates a rare breed of character and servant leadership, having been instrumental in the shaping of our partnership with Dealer.com and Cox Automotive. Dale supported our Hendrick Automotive Group account at a formative time. Hendrick Marketing support was in its infancy. Dale assisted not only in the tactical elements of implementing standards and performance management disciplines but was an active participant in our strategic discussions. Our Hendrick teammates and partners participate in a communication exercise called Management by Strengths. Dale is a “yellow” trait – structured in his communication style, persuasive and articulate, and enthusiastic. It’s certainly a skill to master, being capable of communicating with dealership teams, general managers, senior management and executives. Dale excels at all levels, and earned the respect of the dealership teams he directly supported. Most telling, Dale has assisted in the hiring and grooming of Dealer.com’s next generation of leaders, broadening the bench of support for our Hendrick accounts. It’s remarkable to see some of our best practice, disciplines and skillsets we formed early in our partnership permeate within our current account support team. I’m honored to have worked with Dale Parker, and enthusiastically offer my recommendation in any pursuit he puts his mind toward.
Jill Mccullough
Communications Director / Hendrick Southpoint Auto Mall
Dale personifies team spirit. In a company as large as Cox Automotive, a client can sometimes feel lost in the shuffle. Not true with Dale Parker. When I call, he answers or he gets right back to me. He exceeds expectations by taking every project to the next level. He is professional and kind and works with utmost integrity. I know he wants our account to succeed as much as I do. He's extremely competent and will not steer you wrong. I have enjoyed getting to know Dale. I am grateful for all the digital marketing lessons he has taught me
Chad Lampry
General Manager / Hendrick Audi Northlake
I work closely with Dale Parker and have for the last few years. Dale heads the strategy for all things digital for our company which is the largest privately help automotive dealer group in the United States. Dale displays a level of expertise and attentiveness that I have yet to experience with any other vendor, either within the digital realm or outside. Examples of his professionalism are his excellent advice, his super quick responsiveness, and his patience with explaining various strategies and their potential impact. Dale has a knack for collaboration and sharing best practices which have helped our dealership achieve distinct, measurable, positive results.
Rooz Rafie
Market Area Advertising Manager | Hendrick Automotive group
Dale is a phenomenal individual and a great team player, I've worked with him for many years now and can vouch for his work ethics and caring about his team and customers. He is a phenomenal asset to our team. He constantly goes above and beyond the call of duty and always comes through on projects.
Sheila Thomasson
Director of Marketing & Ecommerce / Rick Hendrick Imports
Dale is an amazing advocate for our stores. He brings a wealth of knowledge to our interactions and helps our business to thrive. It's a pleasure to work with Dale.
Michelle Johnson
Digital Marketing Manager / Hendrick Automotive Group
Dale has been my Digital Strategist for Dealer.com for the last year and he has been a joy to work with. Dale is very educated on digital marketing and especially focused on the automotive field. He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to SEO, advertising, and content and helps me come up with creative ways to brand the 3 dealerships we work together on. Dale will be an asset to whatever team he works with and I am happy to recommend him.