Business Director, Pop Culture

Christie's•New York, NY

12d•$110,000 - $150,000

About The Position

The Business Director will be a senior strategic partner to the Global Head of Pop Culture, Heads of Department and Department Managing Directors, helping to shape and deliver the global Pop Culture strategy, commercial agenda and long-term growth plan. Operating at the intersection of strategy, commercial execution and organizational leadership, the role will provide senior-level oversight across the department’s auction pipeline, priority consignments, private sale opportunities, major proposals and cross-functional initiatives. This individual will act as a trusted advisor, senior influencer and strategic connector across the business, ensuring that priorities are clearly defined, resources are aligned, risks are anticipated, and opportunities are converted into strong commercial outcomes. The role requires a highly commercial, structured and confident operator who can translate strategic ambition into disciplined execution while supporting the continued growth, professionalization and global positioning of the Pop Culture department.

Requirements

Significant experience in a senior business management, strategy, operations or commercial leadership role, ideally within a high-value, client-focused or creative commercial environment 6 years of relevant experience.
Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to assess opportunities through the lens of growth, profitability, risk, client impact and competitive positioning.
Proven ability to operate as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing clear counsel, structured thinking and confident challenge where appropriate.
Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional programmes or strategic initiatives with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and high commercial expectations.
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the credibility to build alignment and drive outcomes across senior teams and regions.
High level of strategic and analytical capability, with confidence interpreting financial information, business cases, KPIs and market data.
Strong governance, planning and execution skills, with the ability to bring structure, pace and accountability to complex workstreams.
Confident communicator, able to produce clear executive-level materials and present recommendations persuasively to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Global Head of Pop Culture and senior leadership to shape, prioritise and deliver the department’s global commercial strategy, including the short-, long-term and masterpiece business pipeline.
Provide senior oversight of various owner auctions, private sales, high-value proposals and strategic initiatives, ensuring clear ownership, disciplined execution and measurable commercial impact.
Lead cross-functional governance across specialists, operations, legal, marketing, finance and regional leadership to ensure complex projects are delivered effectively, efficiently and to the highest standard.
Act as the senior point of escalation for global Pop Culture various owner auctions and priority projects, identifying risks early, unlocking decisions and maintaining momentum across teams and regions.
Drive organisational effectiveness by strengthening departmental operating models, decision-making processes, communication rhythms and accountability frameworks.
Influence senior stakeholders across reporting lines, building alignment around priorities, commercial ambition, resource needs and shared outcomes.
Provide clear, strategic reporting to senior leadership on pipeline, performance, risks, opportunities and resource requirements.
Serve as a senior commercial partner to business leadership, providing strategic input on significant deal structures, guarantees, advances, third-party backing and other commercial terms.
Partner with Commercial Finance, Legal and departmental leadership to review, structure and secure approval for complex, high-value or strategically important opportunities.
Lead the preparation of executive-level business cases, investment recommendations and decision papers for priority property, major consignments and strategic growth initiatives.
Bring commercial discipline to deal evaluation, ensuring opportunities are assessed against profitability, risk, client value, competitive positioning and long-term strategic importance.
In partnership with the business management team, help oversee forecasting, budgeting, reporting and performance analysis in partnership with Finance, ensuring leadership has a clear view of progress against plan.
Use data, KPIs and market insight to identify opportunities for growth, margin improvement, operational efficiency and stronger commercial decision-making.
Provide senior leadership to the Pop Culture sale coordination team and support the effective management, prioritisation and professional development of the wider global auctions team.
Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across departments and regions, fostering collaboration, alignment and accountability around the department’s strategic priorities.
Partner with Department Heads to lead organisational change, embed improved ways of working and ensure teams are equipped to deliver against evolving business priorities.
Advise leadership on resourcing, succession planning, capability gaps and long-term team structure to support the department’s global growth ambitions.

Benefits

Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision care plans for employees and dependents
401(k) Savings Plan
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
Generous time-off and leave policies
100% Paid Family Leave up to 16 weeks
Fitness Reimbursement Program
Annual Discretionary Performance Bonus Plan
Commuter Benefits
Back Up Child & Elder Care
CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Day
Perks and Discounts through Zo and Plum Benefits