Business Director at Sotheby’s

New York, New York, United States

Sotheby’s Logo
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

P&L Management
Financial Modeling
Pipeline Management
Deal Negotiation
Auction Consignments
Client Communication
Business Development
Analytical Thinking
Problem Solving
Revenue Forecasting

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.

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