International Head of Department, Sculpture
Christie's · New York City · $140,000–$170,000 (stated in the posting)
International Head of Department, Sculpture
The Company
Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments, or in one of our more Operational teams, we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 250 year old company, steeped in history, bringing fresh ideas whilst not forgetting our shared values; Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility & Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is inspiring to work with industry leaders across our business.
Why This Role Matters
This is a high-profile, globally focused position responsible for leading the global Sculpture team, helping to drive business opportunities and shaping the sales strategy for the Sculpture department. Working in close partnership with the Global Managing Director, Regional Managing Directors, and the London, Paris and New York Specialists, you will help lead initiatives to secure consignments, stimulate buying activity, and cultivate relationships with top-tier clients—maximising revenue across both Auction and Private Sales worldwide.
In addition, the role will also spearhead global Private Sales efforts, overseeing sourcing, negotiation, and deal execution to ensure profitability and growth for the Sculpture department.
Success in this role requires exceptional subject matter expertise, strategic vision, and the exceptional leadership, combining deep market knowledge with strong client relationship skills. They need to work collaboratively and effectively across teams to deliver outstanding results.
How You'll Make an Impact
- Strategic Leadership & Growth: Working with the Business Management team help devise and lead the global art department strategy, implement robust growth strategies, and ensure the department meets all sales, revenue, and profit targets, ensuring the teams in London, Paris and New York align globally.
- Expertise & Business Development: Act as a key business getter globally for Sculpture, proactively identifying and securing high-value works and masterpieces for both auction and Private Sales globally. Participate in hilling sessions and pricing meetings, led by the Head of Sales.
- Private Sales: Spearhead the departments global Private Sales efforts, overseeing strategy, sourcing, negotiation and deal execution (as required) to ensure profitability and growth for the Sculpture department.
- Profitability, Deal Structuring & Negotiation: Proactively win business for sale, drive deals, and participate in structuring and negotiating commercially viable deals that increase profitability.
- Client Relationship Management: Develop and nurture strong relationships with top-tier clients, dealers, and collectors globally. Lead client relationships and collaborate with Client Strategy to build dedicated teams around key clients. Ensure balanced allocation of client relationships across the department to maintain manageable workloads while creating meaningful development opportunities for junior team members.
- Team Leadership & Development: Partnering with the RMDs, lead, mentor, and develop the global department’s team of specialists and support staff, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all departmental activities strictly adhere to legal, ethical, and regulatory standards, with particular attention to cultural property and international trade. Uphold rigorous provenance research practices, applying sound business and market judgment to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks to the company’s reputation and operations.
- Market Expansion: Introduce new opportunities and clients to the department. Collaborate with other business getters and groups to expand client relationships for revenue growth.
- Appraisals & Valuations: Liaise with the Estates, Appraisals & Valuations department, utilizing appraisals to generate new long-term business opportunities and re-engage inactive clients and secure major private collections.
- Networking: Proactively identify key external and internal stakeholders, dealers, academics and other contacts, creating and cultivating productive networks.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Head of Sales in New York/London/Paris, Business Management, the Commercial Office, other Specialists, and the Proposals department on pitches and business-getting initiatives. As required, lead discussions in the Significant Business Forum to approve terms.
- Thought Leadership: Represent the department externally through lectures, publications, and participation in academic or cultural forums, reinforcing the company’s reputation as a leader in the Sculpture field.
- Digital Engagement: Collaborate with Marketing and Digital teams to enhance the department’s online presence, develop innovative sales strategies, and engage new audiences through digital channels.
- Travel: Undertake international travel for business development, department management, client visits, events, exhibitions, and art fairs.
What you’ll bring to the team
- Academic Background: Advanced degree (MA or higher) in Art History or a closely related field, with a recognized specialism in Sculpture (including Medieval, Renaissance, Early Modern and/or Modern Sculpture), strongly preferred.
- Sculpture Market Expertise: Extensive and demonstrable experience within the international sculpture market, with authoritative knowledge of major artists, periods, materials, and scholarship, as well as deep familiarity with key collectors, institutions, and advisors.
- Leadership & Team Development: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven culture.
- Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Strong track record of delivering exceptional sales results and driving market leadership. Skilled in developing and executing strategic initiatives, with sound financial and commercial judgment.
- Deal-Making & Negotiation: Exceptional negotiation skills, with a history of structuring and closing complex, high-value deals.
- Client-Focused Mindset: Adept at building and maintaining trusted relationships with collectors, institutions, and stakeholders at all levels.
- Collaborative Spirit: Highly motivated team player with a proactive and adaptable approach to cross-functional collaboration.
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage effectively across diverse audiences.
- Travel: Willingness and ability to travel internationally for business development, client engagement, and industry events.
- Languages: Proficiency in additional languages is highly desirable.
What’s great about working for us
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision care plans for employees and dependents (On average, Christie’s pays 80% of total premiums)
- 401(k) Savings Plan – Christie’s provides a matching contribution up to 5% (subject to IRS limits)
- Life Insurance - 3x base salary up to $400k (100% paid by Christie’s)
- Disability Insurance (100% paid by Christie’s)
- Generous time-off and leave policies; including 100% Paid Family Leave up to 16 weeks.
- Fitness Reimbursement Program: reimbursement of eligible fitness fees and memberships up to $600 per year
- Annual Discretionary Performance Bonus Plan
- Commuter Benefits - Pre-tax money towards your daily commute with a Christie’s contribution of $21 per month
- Back Up Child & Elder Care – up to 10 days of back-up Child or Elder Care through Bright Horizons
- CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Day- Each employee receives one paid day per year to dedicate their time to a charity of their choice.
- Perks and Discounts through Zo and Plum Benefits
Christie’s, Inc. is committed to principles of equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, Christie’s Inc. ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status or liability status for service in the United States Armed Forces.
*Posted salary range does not include discretionary bonus compensation and overtime pay.
Closing date: Sunday 1st November 2026