Business Director

THE ROLE

You will be a core member of Sotheby’s London Global Fine Arts department, driving financial results, growth, and profitability for this key business area. You will act as a business partner to the department specialists focused on P&L management and reporting (live and online auction and private sales), pipeline management, deal making, and sale execution. You can think analytically, synthesize quantitative and qualitative information, and are excited by proactive problem solving.

RESPONSIBLITIES

● Own the pipeline of business opportunities and deals to drive sales and accountability, in active collaboration with internal

stakeholders

● Lead, manage, and track all auction and private sale (as required) consignments and annual goals. Responsible for Pipeline

presentation and discussion with CFO, Heads of Departments, Specialists, and RMs

● Develop financial models (revenue and expense) to support consignments for all revenue streams; 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.

● Serve as point person for the legal department on settlement of claims and goodwill gestures.

● Lead annual budget planning and regular forecasting in partnership with Head of Sale, Head of Department, Finance, and other members of management; with oversight from senior Business Management where appropriate.

● 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.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

● Bachelor’s degree required.

● 4+ 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.