Business Operations Manager, Sales Development

The posting, as Sotheby's wrote it

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 Devel
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sentations 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.

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