Business Operations Manager, Sales Development
Sotheby's · New York City · $68,000–$72,000 (stated in the posting)
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 Business Operations Manager serves as the department's operational lead for sourcing and valuation activity, overseeing valuation strategy, interest and sales development workflow management, reporting, and business development initiatives. Acting as a key partner to specialists and leadership, the Manager leverages opportunities to support sourcing efforts, private sales development, and collection acquisition strategies across Impressionist & Modern Art, American Art, Latin American Art, and Single Owner Collections. The role combines operational leadership, market-facing business development support, and strategic project management to drive departmental growth and efficiency.
Responsibilities
I. Impressionist and Modern Art: Valuations, Collections & Sales
Valuation Oversight & Workflow Management
- Serve as the primary business operations lead for all departmental valuation activity across Impressionist & Modern Art, including Fair Market Value, Estate, Insurance, Retail Replacement, and Sale & Financial Services valuations.
- Manage the intake, prioritization, tracking, and reporting of valuation requests, ensuring timely completion and exceptional client service.
- Partner closely with specialists, Valuations Services, and department leadership to oversee valuation workflows and resolve complex operational issues.
- Lead weekly valuation meetings, establish priorities, and drive accountability for deliverables and follow-up actions.
- Develop reporting and analytics on valuation volumes, turnaround times, conversion rates, and business development opportunities.
- Identify valuation-led opportunities for consignments, private sales, and broader client engagement.
- Establish best practices and process improvements to increase efficiency, consistency, and service quality across valuation activity.
- Partner with specialists to prepare materials for pricing discussions, collection reviews, and strategic client presentations.
- Serve as a central point of coordination for significant estate, fiduciary, philanthropic, and collection-related valuation projects.
Business Development Through Valuations
- Leverage valuation activity as a key source of business generation and client acquisition opportunities.
- Track and report on consignments, private sales opportunities, and collection introductions originating from valuation engagements.
- Work with specialists and Client Development teams to cultivate relationships stemming from valuation activity.
- Support leadership with strategic reporting on valuation-driven revenue opportunities and market engagement.
II. Sourcing, Collections & Business Development
Sourcing Strategy & Pipeline Management
- Lead sourcing pipeline management across Impressionist & Modern Art, American Art, Latin American Art, Private Sales, and Single Owner Collection opportunities.
- Maintain visibility into business-getting efforts, key consignments, and collection opportunities across specialist teams.
- Produce pipeline analysis and reporting for department leadership, identifying trends, risks, and priorities.
- Facilitate sourcing meetings and ensure follow-through on strategic opportunities.
- Partner with Client Development and Business Intelligence teams to identify prospective collectors and collection opportunities.
Single Owner Collections
- Support the development and execution of Single Owner Collection strategies across multiple collecting categories.
- Coordinate collection timelines, stakeholder communication, and cross-department workflows from initial opportunity through sale execution.
- Assist in developing collection proposals, business cases, and presentation materials for prospective consignors.
- Partner with specialists to drive collection-related business development initiatives.
Private Sales
- Support sourcing and inventory development for Private Sales initiatives.
- Track high-priority opportunities and assist specialists in advancing private sale transactions.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration between auction and private sale channels to maximize client outcomes.
III. Sale Strategy & Execution
- Partner with Sale Heads and specialists to support auction planning and execution.
- Coordinate lot targeting initiatives and selling strategies in partnership with Client Development and Business Intelligence teams.
- Oversee internal sales reporting, pipeline updates, and business development materials.
- Support sale week operations, interest tracking, bidder analysis, and post-sale reporting.
- Produce executive-level analyses highlighting market performance, sourcing outcomes, and business opportunities.
IV. Business Operations & Strategic Initiatives
- Serve as a strategic operational partner to department leadership. Lead cross-functional projects and process improvement initiatives across Fine Arts departments.Develop departmental reporting and dashboards to support decision-making and performance management.
- Coordinate initiatives involving specialists, Client Development, Marketing, Finance, Operations, and regional teams.
- Manage department communications, leadership presentations, and business reviews.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business operations, arts administration, or a related field.
- 2-3 years of experience in business operations, project management, client services, or business development, preferably within the art market, luxury, or cultural sectors.
- Strong interest in fine art and the auction market, with a desire to develop expertise across Impressionist & Modern Art and related collecting categories.
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing presentations and business reporting.
- Collaborative and proactive, with the ability to build effective relationships across specialist, client development, and cross-functional teams.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; experience with CRM and business intelligence tools is a plus.
- Adept at handling sensitive and confidential information in a professional manner, maintaining discretion at all times.
- Flexible to support major sale periods, including occasional evening and weekend work.
The proposed base salary for this position ranges from $68,000 - $72,000. In addition to base salary successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, as well as a competitive benefits package. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered.
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.