ABOUT SOTHEBY'S
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.
THE ROLE
The VP of Fixed Price Strategy & Business Operations for Global Luxury will serve as the strategic second-in-command to the Global Head of Fixed Price for Luxury, acting as a strategic, operational, and organizational leader to drive growth and scalability.
This role will oversee commercial and growth initiatives, business operations and cross-functional execution. The successful candidate will combine an entrepreneurial mindset with strong operational discipline, balancing innovation and growth with the complexities of a dynamic and evolving market landscape.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership & Business Operations
- Serve as the principal strategic and operational partner to the Global Head of Fixed Price for Luxury, supporting the strategic direction and execution of the global Private Sales and Salon business.
- Develop and maintain the operating rhythm of the Private Sales business, including executive reporting, performance reviews, pipeline discussions, and strategic planning sessions with global leadership.
- Act as the primary lead across specialist departments, relationship managers, operations and client-facing teams to ensure alignment against annual business objectives.
New Business Development
- Build and operationalize new revenue streams Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) watch initiatives in partnership with the Global Head of Fixed Price.
- Introduce and manage new contracts, inventory acquisition processes, and purchasing controls while maintaining agreed cash flow parameters.
- Support the development of additional Private Sales revenue streams, including financing solutions, storage services, and other value-added client offerings.
- Drive a "House of Brands" approach across categories, supporting consignments, cross-selling opportunities, brand partnerships, and salon-based event revenue.
- Conduct strategic analyses to identify new revenue streams, partnership opportunities, service offerings, and collecting categories that support long-term growth objectives.
- Lead business case development and post-performance analysis for major initiatives, sales campaigns, exhibitions, and strategic investments.
Growth & Transformation
- Support the creation and implementation of incremental revenue streams, from ideation to commercialization.
- Support the growth of the global salon footprint through the launch and integration of new locations, while establishing operating standards that deliver a consistent, scalable, and profitable experience across all salons.
- Partner with specialist departments to expand Private Sales opportunities across emerging categories.
- Support enhancements including multi-currency functionality, inventory visibility, and improved client engagement capabilities across global markets.
- Support the integration of RM Sotheby's offerings within the Salon ecosystem across key locations.
- Develop operational frameworks that enable new categories to participate effectively within the global salon architecture.
- Lead digital transformation, technology adoption, and process automation initiatives that enhance the client experience, improve commercial visibility and inventory management
- Partner with cross-functional teams on Private Sales exhibition and salon programming from a commercial and operational governance perspective, ensuring performance metrics are delivered across all locations.
- Partner with Operations to maintain effective inventory controls and visibility across all salon locations and Private Sales channels.
Commercial Infrastructure & Process Optimization
- Review and enhance Private Sales process to support seamless cross-channel sourcing and selling.
- Work alongside the Global Head of Private Sales to review and optimize incentive structures that support business growth.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- 10+ years of experience in operations, strategy, consulting, or commercial leadership roles, with a proven track record of driving business performance, operational transformation, and cross-functional initiatives.
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience managing P&Ls, budgeting, forecasting, business reporting, KPI tracking, and the development of new revenue streams from strategic ideation through execution.
- Demonstrated ability to build influential partnerships and lead across complex, matrixed organizations, working effectively with commercial, specialist, marketing, finance, legal, compliance, technology, and operations teams to drive strategic alignment and business results.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, presenting business performance, financial insights, forecasts, pipeline updates, and strategic recommendations, while aligning global and regional teams around shared objectives.
- Deep understanding of sales operations, inventory management, commercial processes, and high-value transactions, including consignments, client negotiations, and complex deal structures.
- Experience operating within a luxury, art, collectibles, auction, marketplace, or other client-centric environment, with a strong appreciation for premium client experience and commercial excellence.
- Strong knowledge of international tax, compliance, contracting, and regulatory requirements within a global commercial organization.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build and scale new business initiatives.
- Strong commercial acumen and financial analytical skills.
- Excellent organizational and project management capabilities.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Comfortable navigating complex organizations and driving change across multiple business units.
- Strong communication and leadership abilities with an international perspective.
- Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and business planning capabilities.
- Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to translate data into business decisions.
- Advanced Excel and business reporting skills.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple strategic priorities simultaneously.
- Experience operating successfully in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
- Knowledge of luxury markets, the art world, collectibles, or auction house operations strongly preferred.
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The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.
