Senior Specialist, Retail Finance

Job description

Here at Scout Motors, we're carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960. One that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and trucks and will do so once again. But Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work. The Scout brand is all about respect. Respect for the past and the future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. Respect for both work and play, with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute. And respect for our customers by developing two powertrains that meet their requirements — an all-electric powertrain as well as the Harvester™ range extender powertrain which includes a built-in gas-powered generator with an estimated 500 miles of combined range. At Scout Motors, we empower our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? Someone who is a visionary and a leader, who seeks new paths and shares lessons learned. A knowledgeable doer who collaborates across the company to build better. A go-getter with unrivaled passion. Join us at Scout Motors and be part of shaping the future of transportation. If you're ready to drive change and make history, apply now! Overview The Retail Finance Senior Specialist supports the financing experience for customers purchasing vehicles through a direct-to-consumer sales model. This role helps manage loan and lease origination processes, ensures compliance with financing policies and regulations, partners with the internal delivery team, and works closely with captive finance partners to deliver a seamless customer experience. What you’ll do Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following: • Support end-to-end retail finance transactions for vehicle sales, including loan and lease applications, approvals, funding, and documentation. • Serve as a subject matter expert on retail finance programs, rates, incentives, and financing options available to customers. • Partner with the delivery team to resolve financing-related issues and ensure timely transaction completion. • Review finance documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements. • Coordinate with external lenders, banks, and finance partners to obtain approvals and funding. • Monitor deal status and follow up on outstanding stipulations, missing documents, and funding conditions. • Help identify process improvement opportunities to streamline the customer financing journey. • Maintain knowledge of federal, state, and local retail finance regulations, including consumer lending and disclosure requirements. • Assist with reporting, reconciliation, and analysis of retail finance performance metrics. • Support audit requests and ensure proper recordkeeping for finance transactions. • Own the operational design, implementation, and continuous improvement of retail finance programs supporting Scout's direct-to-consumer business model. • Define and maintain retail finance operational standards, controls, and governance processes to support compliance, scalability, and customer satisfaction. • Lead cross-functional initiatives across Sales, Delivery, Product, Technology, Legal, Compliance, and Finance to improve retail finance performance and customer outcomes. • Monitor and analyze financing conversion, funding performance, customer adoption, and operational metrics while recommending and implementing improvements. Location & Travel Expectations: • This role may be based out of the Scout Motors corporate headquarters in Charlotte, NC. • This role requires 4-5 days per week in the office, with regular in-person meetings and events. • Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time. • Travel: Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to interact with Scout colleagues in-person and travel to retail finance partner site(s), vendor site(s) and participate in domestic and international events on behalf of the company / the retail finance team from time to time (about 10% of work time). Valid driver's license required. What you’ll bring We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring: • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, or related field preferred. • 8+ years of experience in automotive finance, retail finance operations, consumer lending, or a related field. • Strong understanding of vehicle loan and lease processes. • Familiarity with direct-to-consumer is a plus. • Knowledge of consumer finance regulations and compliance requirements. • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. • Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities. • Ability to manage multiple transactions and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. • Data-driven mindset with exceptional analytical and strategic thinking and the ability to analyze and interpret operational and performance data and translate it into actionable insights. • Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities. • Team player with strong personal management and organizational skills. • Minimum of High School Diploma, GED or equivalent required for all roles at Scout Motors, Inc. • Ability and willingne