Cox Automotive announced Tuesday the appointment of Eric Jacobs as the company’s new senior vice president of corporate development.

Most recently working for Dealertrack Technologies, Jacobs is now responsible for leading strategic business development for Cox, including mergers and acquisitions, while also continuing to create partnerships for the company’s client portfolio.

Jacobs now reports directly to Neil Johnston, Cox Automotive’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Eric’s leadership and commitment to bringing the best solutions to the table for our customers made him the ideal choice to lead our business development efforts,” Johnston said. “As we look into the future and expand our footprint both domestically and internationally, he will help us to continue to create partnerships that will further the success of our clients.”

Jacobs worked most recently as the executive vice president, chief financial and administrative officer for  Dealertrack. He has been in the automotive industry for 15 years of his career and has previously served as the senior vice president and general counsel for Dealertrack as well as the president of Dealertrack Canada.

Jacobs worked as an attorney prior to joining Dealertrack, focusing on corporate mergers and acquisitions and securities law at O’Melveny & Meyers as well as filling the role of audit manager at KPMG.

He received his J.D. with honors from the Rutgers School of Law-Newark after receiving his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Rider University.

He is also a former certified public accountant.