Business Director at Sotheby’s

New York, New York, United States

Apply Now

Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Art, Luxury, AuctionsIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
5+ years of professional experience in a business management, banking, financial or consulting role
Strong communication and relationship-building skills; ability to succinctly present to stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds
Prior deal or contract negotiation experience preferred
Advanced Excel skills
Highly organized, detail oriented, multi-tasker
Creative problem solver, energetic and persistent
Confident team player, capable of working well independently in ambiguous situations
Prior art experience is not required, but an interest or curiosity in art or other luxury objects is encouraged

Responsibilities

Support the pipeline of business opportunities and deals to drive sales and accountability, in active collaboration with internal stakeholders
Lead, manage, and track all New York auction consignments; with oversight from senior Business Management where appropriate
Support the development of financial models (revenue and expense) for auction consignments; approve/escalate where appropriate
Prepare client facing deal communication and take a client facing role for commercial terms, when required
Serve as the first business point of contact for negotiations for consignments, vendors, consultants, or other third parties, including corresponding legal agreements with Legal team; with oversight from senior Business Management where appropriate
Support annual budget planning and regular forecasting in partnership with senior Business Management
Translate financial results and KPIs into operational recommendations to optimize the business
Manage all sale and department expenses; with oversight from senior Business Management where appropriate
Regularly review and develop plans for Sotheby’s inventory, in partnership with Operations and Finance teams
Act in a client-facing capacity and as an internal conduit to troubleshoot escalated pre- and post- sale issues
Work with Pre and Post sale on Sale settlement to maintain a high-level oversight, Extended Payments approval and accountability and billing for non-standard transactions
Act as a strategic partner for senior management by reviewing competitive analysis, maintaining market share reporting, and analyzing trends in deal making
Research potential additional revenue streams and partner with key internal stakeholders to develop business plans
Work collaboratively to propose, manage, and implement efficiencies, integration, and adoption for new IT and digital improvements aligned to overall responsibilities

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

P&L ManagementFinancial ModelingPipeline ManagementDeal NegotiationAuction ConsignmentsClient CommunicationBusiness DevelopmentAnalytical ThinkingProblem SolvingRevenue Forecasting

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary or compensation for the Business Director role at Sotheby’s?

This information is not specified in the job description.

Is the Business Director position remote or based in a specific location?

The role is based in New York as a core member of Sotheby’s New York specialist departments.

What key skills are required for the Business Director position?

The role requires analytical thinking to synthesize quantitative and qualitative information, proactive problem solving, P&L management, financial modeling, pipeline management, deal making, and client-facing communication skills.

What is the company culture like at Sotheby’s?

Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making industries more inclusive, sustainable, and collaborative.

What makes a strong candidate for the Business Director role?

Strong candidates can think analytically, synthesize quantitative and qualitative information, excel at proactive problem solving, and have experience driving financial results, growth, profitability, P&L management, deal making, and client-facing roles.

Sotheby’s

Auction house for fine art

About Sotheby’s

Sotheby's is a global auction house that specializes in selling fine art, luxury items, and collectibles through live and online auctions, as well as private sales. The company provides online estimates to help sellers determine the value of their items, which is a key differentiator from competitors. Sotheby's holds auctions in major cities worldwide, attracting a diverse audience and ensuring a competitive market for high-end items. The goal is to connect buyers and sellers in the luxury market while offering a personalized and discreet experience.

New York City, New YorkHeadquarters

1744Year Founded

$4MTotal Funding

POST_IPO_EQUITYCompany Stage

Real Estate, Consumer GoodsIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

401(k) Company Match

Professional Development Budget

Risks

NFT market volatility poses financial risks for Sotheby's digital collectibles sales.

Recent staff layoffs indicate potential financial instability or auction performance downturn.

The $100 million Breuer building acquisition could strain financial resources if unprofitable.

Differentiation

Sotheby's offers both live and online auctions, catering to diverse client preferences.

The company provides private sales for clients seeking privacy and exclusivity in transactions.

Sotheby's expertise in valuing rare items attracts high-end collectors and investors.

Upsides

Sotheby's collaboration with The Luxury Group offers unique luxury auction experiences.

The acquisition of the Breuer building enhances Sotheby's brand and auction venue prestige.

Sotheby's acceptance of cryptocurrency payments attracts crypto-wealthy buyers.

Land your dream remote job 3x faster with AI

Try Jobo Free