As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you’ll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.
A Career at HARMAN Automotive
We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team putting the innovative power of technology to work to transform the future of mobility. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career and shape the next generation of connected vehicles.
- Engineer world-class audio systems and integrated technology platforms that redefine the in-cabin experience.
- Combine ingenuity, deep industry research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence.
- Advance in-vehicle infotainment, autonomous safety, cloud efficiency, and mobility services.
About the Role
HARMAN Automotive Services is seeking a Sales Director (M4) to lead enterprise growth, expand our Automotive Engineering Services (AES) market footprint, and forge high-impact strategic partnerships. In this executive role, you will scout, scale, and monetize strategic alliances with technology vendors, cloud providers, hyperscalers, and ecosystem partners to drive co-selling execution and differentiated automotive offerings.
Sitting at the dynamic intersection of sales, strategic alliances, solution delivery, and commercial strategy, you will own relationship management across the enterprise lifecycle—from vision and pipeline origination to complex deal negotiation and strategic account expansion.
Strategic Sales & Enterprise Growth
- Drive Market Expansion: Spearhead enterprise client acquisition across OEMs and mobility leaders; map client pain points to HARMAN’s AES portfolio to secure long-term, high-value engagements.
- Executive Relationship Building: Cultivate trusted, multi-level relationship networks across client C-suites, engineering leads, and procurement teams.
Partner Ecosystem & Go-to-Market (GTM)
- Formulate and execute joint co-selling motions with hyperscalers, cloud providers, and silicon partners to accelerate deal velocity and widen market reach.
- Architect co-innovation strategy and joint account mapping to drive high-margin, scalable pipeline growth.
Commercial Leadership & Deal Structuring
- Design complex deal structures, revenue-share frameworks, and incentive strategies (e.g., MDF, rebates, co-investment models) that maximize profitability and win rates.
- Direct strategic negotiations for multi-year master service agreements (MSAs), alliance frameworks, and complex statements of work (SOWs).
Governance, Strategy & Execution
- Strategic Governance: Define executive KPIs to monitor partner ecosystem value, deal velocity, and portfolio performance; lead regular Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs).
- Cross-Functional Orchestration: Partner closely with global delivery teams and executive leadership to align customer demands with HARMAN’s engineering roadmap.
- 12+ years of progressive sales, alliances, or business development experience within automotive engineering services, software, or technology consulting.
- Proven track record of driving complex digital transformation, cloud integration, and managed services deals in the automotive sector.
- Demonstrated success building co-selling channels with major hyperscalers (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure, GCP) or Tier-1 automotive ecosystems.
- Strong commercial acumen with deep expertise structuring large-scale, multi-year commercial agreements.
- Exceptional executive presence and communication skills with a track record of influencing senior stakeholders internally and externally.
- Ability to work hybrid from the HARMAN Novi, MI location (3+ days/week).
- Willingness to travel 20–30% (primarily regional/domestic client and partner visits).
- Any offer of employment is conditioned upon successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.
- Direct Automotive/OEM Domain Knowledge: Strong existing network across major Automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.
- Leadership Experience: Prior experience building, mentoring, and leading high-performing sales or business development teams (3+ direct reports).
- Complex Services Expertise: In-depth understanding of embedded software, software-defined vehicle (SDV) architectures, or connected car platforms.
- Access to employee discounts on world-class products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more).
- Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University.
- Competitive wellness benefits.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program.
- An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
#LI-SB1
Salary Ranges:
HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
Skills Required
- 12+ years of progressive sales, strategic alliances, or business development experience in automotive engineering services, software, or technology consulting
- Proven track record of driving complex digital transformation, cloud integration, and managed services deals in the automotive sector
- Experience building co-selling channels with major hyperscalers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or GCP, or Tier-1 automotive ecosystems
- Strong commercial acumen and expertise structuring large-scale, multi-year commercial agreements
- Exceptional executive presence and communication skills with experience influencing senior internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to work hybrid from HARMAN's Novi, Michigan location at least three days per week
- Willingness to travel 20% to 30%, primarily for regional or domestic client and partner visits
- Successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen
- Strong existing network across major automotive OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers
- Prior experience building, mentoring, and leading high-performing sales or business development teams, including three or more direct reports
- In-depth understanding of embedded software, software-defined vehicle architectures, or connected car platforms
Harman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Harman and has not been reviewed or approved by Harman.
-
Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, often including medical, dental, and vision plans, with HSAs/FSAs and disability or life insurance also referenced. Wellbeing support such as EAP access and onsite occupational health services is also part of the package in some regions.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Lifestyle-oriented benefits include employee product discounts and region-specific perks like free fruit deliveries, Cycle to Work schemes, and meal coupons or allowances. Flexible schedules and work-from-home options are also part of the overall offering where roles and projects allow.
-
Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is repeatedly characterized as solid or market-aligned for many roles, with salary payments described as consistent and on time. Compensation is also tied to performance in some accounts, reinforcing a perception of basic fairness for a portion of employees.
Harman Insights
What We Do
Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. HARMAN is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. HARMAN offers a great work environment, challenging career opportunities, professional training and competitive compensation. Looking for a challenge where your experience is valued? Come see what you can achieve as a leader with HARMAN!
