Event Planning and Communications Manager, Community Dealer Development

Description
Hybrid : This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the successful candidate is expected to report to Warren - GM Global Technical Center three times per week, at minimum or other frequency dictated by the business. This role may be eligible for relocation benefits .
Role Overview
The Community Dealer Development (GMCDD) team is focused on protecting and optimizing GM's dealer network to drive increased sales and market share. We are deeply committed to supporting individuals historically excluded from the dealer ecosystem by providing targeted opportunities, formal mentorship, and structured training. Our ultimate goal is to increase dealer throughput and profitability across our network.
Role
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Event Planning and Communications Assistant Manager to join our team during an exciting time of innovation and growth. This role will lead high-impact initiatives in event planning, strategic communications, and budget management-directly supporting key dealer engagement efforts.
The ideal candidate has a strong background in business operations and a proven track record of delivering exceptional events, managing cross-functional communications, and executing with precision under tight timelines. Success in this role requires outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment.
If you are a motivated, detail-oriented professional with a passion for event planning, strategic communications, and building meaningful partnerships, we invite you to bring your expertise to a team that is making a lasting impact across the company. Join us as we drive innovation, excellence, and dealer success at scale.
Role Responsibilities

• Plan, manage, and execute all communications-including internal, external, dealer, and customer-facing content-to ensure consistent, impactful messaging across all channels
• Oversee digital communication platforms such as SharePoint, social media accounts, and newsletters to ensure timely and relevant content distribution
• Lead the planning, management, and execution of major dealer-facing conferences and high-profile events:
  • Own end-to-end event logistics and content development
  • Manage internal vendor selection and bidding processes (RFP)
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with regional teams, field zones, and Motors Holding
  • Present event programming, outcomes, and strategic recommendations to GM senior leadership
• Coordinate logistics and create materials for Dealer Council meetings and senior leadership sessions
• Drive innovation through creative engagement strategies that increase dealer interaction and involvement
• Own and manage the department's full budget cycle, including forecasting, accrual tracking, contract negotiations, bid processing, and vendor payments
• Manage financial operations through tools such as eSAP and Ariba, including purchase orders, releases, invoices, and check requests
• Collaborate with stakeholders to support and execute national dealer-facing initiatives, incorporating feedback from dealers and field teams to enhance program effectiveness
• Maintain agility and efficiency in a fast-paced environment, ensuring all team objectives and deadlines are met with timely updates to leadership on project status, key milestones, risks, and critical decisions
• Must be willing to work a minimum of four (4) days per week onsite at GM's Warren, MI campus, with flexibility to increase to five (5) days based on business needs

Role Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field or 10+ years of relevant work experience
• 5-7+ years of experience in event planning, marketing, hospitality, project management, or a related field
• Proven track record of success in high-impact event planning environments, including some experience with vendor management
• Strong business and financial (budgeting) acumen
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and financial processes with accuracy and accountability
• Highly organized, with exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to quality execution
• Proficient in cross-functional project management, with a working knowledge of field operations and dealer relationship dynamics
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust-based relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Move with Urgency and Own the Outcome type of self-starter with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects independently in a fast-paced environment
• Strategic thinker with a creative, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 35% to support dealer conferences and related events

Preferred Role Qualifications

• Automotive or dealership experience
• Project Management experience or certification

GM DOES NOT PROVIDE IMMIGRATION-RELATED SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE. DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU WILL NEED GM IMMIGRATION SPONSORSHIP NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THIS INCLUDES DIRECT COMPANY SPONSORSHIP, ENTRY OF GM AS THE IMMIGRATION EMPLOYER OF RECORD ON A GOVERNMENT FORM, AND ANY WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIRING A WRITTEN SUBMISSION OR OTHER IMMIGRATION SUPPORT FROM THE COMPANY (e.g., H-1B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)
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