OPT Dealer Relations Manager Jobs
Dealer Relations Manager jobs on OPT sit at the intersection of relationship management, wholesale operations, and sales strategy. Your 12-month OPT window (or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies) gives you time to prove value and pursue H-1B visa sponsorship from automotive, fintech, or distribution employers.
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Overview:
Responsible for ensuring completion and delivery of the Bank’s full Dealer Commercial Services closing capabilities for all assigned loans. Position serves as the first line of defense (1LoD), adhering to the necessary controls, to mitigate unnecessary exposure to risk. Works as part of the account relationship team/deal team with the specific responsibility to arrange for each loan to be documented and closed with the correct borrowing parties and per the agreed upon collateral and deal terms approved in an accurate and timely manner.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Validates that Loan Closing Documentation and all pre-closing Due Diligence Requirements have been met for each loan and align with approved credit terms and regulatory requirements and are properly reflected in the commercial loan system.
- Reviews, interprets, and validates the loan documentation for each unique loan, assuring key provisions are documented as per M&T Legal guidance and as advised in the Outside Counsel Manual.
- Completes the Dealer Commercial Services Closing Checklist, ensuring all required documents are complete and necessary data to close, fund and book have been captured correctly within established deadlines. Submits competed Dealer Commercial Services Closing Checklist to Senior Closing Officer for review and to obtain ‘Clear to Close’.
- Follows up with approved Bank counsel (as appropriate), as well as other Bank partners, to finalize the documenting, funding, and booking of the loan in accordance with Bank policies and procedures.
- Partners with designated team and other internal and external stakeholders to address discrepancies/issues found during due diligence, loan documentation, loan closing and review processes. Escalates issues as appropriate. Coordinates with co-workers and Team Leader to troubleshoot and resolve escalated problem situations, exception requests, and deviations from day-to-day business processes. Communicates and partners effectively with co-workers, working as a team player, and helping to create a positive team environment.
- Obtains confirmation of loan closing, and of the satisfactory review of executed loan documents and arranges and confirms loan funding and booking.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of processes, procedures and escalation guidance related to deliver accurate, timely and complete closing capabilities.
- Manages time to be able to meet deadlines while potentially working with multiple partners on multiple and/or concurrent closing requests, including being able to work with partners on ‘last minute’ modifications. Notifies Team Leader when support and escalation is needed.
- Assists and provides back up to other closing team members when necessary to fulfill incoming or in process requests.
- Attends regularly scheduled departmental training calls to maintain current knowledge of procedures, regulatory updates, and commercial products.
- Reports customer complaints to the Office of Customer Advocacy as appropriate.
- Understand and adhere to the Company’s risk and regulatory standards, policies, and controls in accordance with the Company’s Risk Appetite. Identify risk-related issues needing escalation to management.
- Maintain M&T internal control standards, including timely implementation of internal and external audit points together with any issues raised by external regulators as applicable.
- Promotes an environment that supports a culture of belonging and reflects the M&T Bank brand.
- Completes other related duties as assigned.
Scope of Responsibilities:
The Dealer Commercial Services Closing capabilities include the following five functions: 1) validation of pre-close due diligence items, 2) arranging for and reviewing commercial loan documentation, 3) confirming alignment of the credit approval, loan documents and the loan system, along with finalizing the settlement sheet, the loan closing, and review of executed documents, 4) arranging and confirming loan funding, and 5) completion and submission of required data for loan booking followed by conducting and documenting a post-closing review.
Incumbent works as part of the account relationship team/deal team to build strong customer relationships while preserving the Bank’s strong credit culture, with the specific responsibility of this role being to close each loan to the correct borrowing parties and per the agreed upon collateral and deal terms approved, in an accurate and timely manner, and while assuring and working with approved Bank counsel (as appropriate), and documenting the loan in accordance with Bank policies and procedures, enabling and confirming funding and booking as well as validating key information both pre and post-closing.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:
None
Education and Experience Required:
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three (3) years related commercial loan closing, commercial loan documentation, commercial loan operations, or commercial loan administration experience or in lieu of a degree, a combined seven (7) years’ higher education and/or work experience, with a minimum of three (3) years related commercial loan closing, commercial loan documentation, commercial loan operations, or commercial loan administration experience.
- Previous experience with the bank’s full closing capabilities.
- Knowledge of the commercial closing process and procedures, loan documentation, loan policy, applicable regulations, and affiliated technology.
- Strong detail orientation for use examining information and identifying and resolving or escalating issues.
- Strong interpersonal skills necessary for business partner relationships within and outside the organization.
- Ability to work individually as well as a member of a team.
- Self-motivated, well-organized individual.
- Ability to work under time constraints and handle multiple tasks in support of various assignments.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
Education and Experience Preferred:
- Familiarity with Loan Approvals and Escalation/Exception Requirements, and potentially other approvals needed for closing.
- Knowledge of unit/department policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of applicable products, systems, and workflows.
- Paralegal experience helpful as well as experience in lending operations, underwriting and customer service.
M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $32.89 - $54.81 Hourly (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.
Location:
Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States of America
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Dealer Relations Manager
Target employers with active dealer networks
Automotive manufacturers, fintech platforms, and wholesale distributors maintain large dealer networks that require dedicated relationship managers. These organizations hire repeatedly for this role and are more likely to have established visa sponsorship infrastructure in place.
Emphasize your cross-cultural communication skills
Many dealer networks span diverse regional markets. If you've managed relationships across languages or cultural contexts, make that explicit in your resume. Employers building out national dealer programs often value this background when evaluating OPT candidates for client-facing roles.
Get your STEM OPT extension timeline right
If your degree is in business analytics, information systems, or a related STEM field, apply for the 24-month extension at least 90 days before your standard OPT expires. Losing work authorization mid-relationship with a dealer account creates real disruption for employers.
Frame sponsorship as a long-term investment for the employer
Dealer relationships take months to build. When raising H-1B visa sponsorship, point out that replacing you mid-cycle costs more than sponsoring you. Employers in account management roles often respond well to retention-framed arguments because dealer continuity directly affects revenue.
Prioritize companies with H-1B filing history in this function
Not all employers who hire Dealer Relations Managers have sponsored visas for the role before. Research Department of Labor LCA disclosure data to verify whether a company has previously filed for business development or account management positions before investing in the application process.
Build measurable results into your OPT period from day one
Track dealer retention rates, onboarding timelines, and revenue influenced by your accounts. Concrete numbers make the sponsorship conversation easier. An employer weighing H-1B costs against your value needs specific performance data, not a general description of your responsibilities.
Dealer Relations Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Dealer Relations Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but the framing matters. A purely sales-oriented dealer role may not qualify, while a position requiring a specific bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or finance to perform core analytical and strategic functions typically does. The job description must tie the degree requirement to daily responsibilities, not just list it as a preference.
Can I work as a Dealer Relations Manager on OPT with a business or finance degree?
Yes. Business administration, marketing, finance, and international business degrees all support OPT authorization for this role, provided the position is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in information systems or supply chain management, you may also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension depending on your school's designated CIP code.
Which industries hire Dealer Relations Managers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Automotive OEMs and their financial services arms, software platforms serving dealership networks, insurance carriers with agent or dealer distribution models, and consumer goods distributors are the most consistent sponsors. These companies have recurring headcount needs for the role and the legal infrastructure to support visa sponsorship. Browse current openings on Migrate Mate to identify which employers are actively hiring OPT candidates.
How should I handle the gap between my OPT expiration and H-1B approval as a Dealer Relations Manager?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires, the cap-gap provision extends your work authorization automatically through September 30 of that year. If the H-1B is selected in the lottery and approved, your status transitions on October 1. Planning your job search timeline so that offers come in before the March registration window is the most reliable way to avoid an authorization gap.
Is a STEM degree required to work in Dealer Relations on OPT?
No. Most Dealer Relations Manager positions are supported by business, marketing, or communications degrees, which authorize standard 12-month OPT. A STEM degree unlocks the 24-month extension and gives you more runway to secure sponsorship, but it is not a prerequisite for the role itself or for initial OPT eligibility.