Business Director/Regional Managing Director, Luxury

Christie's•New York, NY

1d•$120,000 - $190,000

About The Position

Business Director/Regional Managing Director, Luxury 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 & Luxury Departments or in our more Operational focused 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 constant innovation whilst not forgetting our age old values; Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgement & Innovation. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is constantly inspiring to work with industry leaders across all segments of the business. Why This Role Matters The Regional Managing Director is responsible for the execution of the departmental strategy, which includes pipeline management across all channels, commercial terms negotiation, P&L management, and overall department operations for the US Luxury division. This Regional Managing Director will partner with with the regional and international Heads of Department for Jewellery, Watches, Handbags, and Wine & Spirits categories to ensure successful execution of business objectives. How You'll Make an Impact Regional Strategy of the Luxury Group Work with Global Managing Director (GMD), Senior Specialists, and wider corporate management to define and execute business strategy for Luxury Americas, including sale formats, sale calendars, sale channels, resourcing and new initiatives for divisional growth In partnership with the Luxury Heads of Department, lead and manage the teams to deliver successful live and online auctions aligned with broader corporate objectives. Work with Specialists to drive pipeline business to meet strategic and sale curation objectives Collaborate with internal support partners, such as Marketing, Client Strategy, Press, Operations, and Events to ensure innovative and strategic client engagement opportunities within UHNW collecting segments. Liaise with regional representatives and international colleagues to set international touring and exhibition schedule, identifying opportunities for cross-category collaboration Liaise with internal stakeholder groups, such as Legal, Credit, Bids, Compliance, Post Sale Service Center and Operations to problem solve and identify improved process efficiencies. Work with Global Managing Director on leading, managing and communicating procedural or management changes. Maintain relationships with business partners, such as security, operations, and legal, to ensure the safe and compliant movement of high-value property Financial Planning & Cost Management Manage operations to meet financial targets by executing on department strategic plan, and managing operating costs within budget Cost and P&L management Partner with Finance Business Partner to prepare budgets and forecasts for US Luxury group and ensure delivery of accurate information to support financial reporting Prepare documentation and information for financial deal reviews, including but not limited to financial scenarios, cost estimation packs, and risk analysis Work with Specialists and business getters to structure and negotiate profitable deals within approved authority matrix and commercial parameters. Propose and/or approve auction, private sale, and Christie’s Art Finance deals to ensure alignment with broader corporate financial plan People Management Visible leader and role model for departments and cross-business collaboration, leading by example, with coaching and mentoring tasks Manage divisional talent, ensuring the teams are supported and productive, with succession plans in place; identify areas for further development Collaborate with HODs to set objective setting and performance evaluations. Direct oversight of divisional business management team, including coordinators and head of sale management, including training, task delegation, compliance and professional development

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) preferred, with a minimum of 12 years work experience in the auction world or luxury sector
Demonstrated enthusiasm for and understanding of the primary and secondary luxury sectors, with emphasis on market trends in Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Handbags.
Demonstrated experience with cost management, budgeting, forecasting, and P&L oversight
Results driven, with commercial / strategic mindset, and proven ability to deliver on financial targets and structure competitive and compelling deals.
Inspirational, collaborative, solution-oriented leader with experience working in a global, matrixed organization
Strong business judgement when balancing refined levels of client service with the health of the bottom line
Experience with coaching, mentoring, and managing conflict
Record of successfully driving and implementing change
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication
Ability to be decisive and remain calm in stressful situations
Ability to work independently and as part of a global team
Ability to learn Christie’s systems including COS, JDE, Property System, intranet and website.

Responsibilities

Regional Strategy of the Luxury Group Work with Global Managing Director (GMD), Senior Specialists, and wider corporate management to define and execute business strategy for Luxury Americas, including sale formats, sale calendars, sale channels, resourcing and new initiatives for divisional growth
In partnership with the Luxury Heads of Department, lead and manage the teams to deliver successful live and online auctions aligned with broader corporate objectives.
Work with Specialists to drive pipeline business to meet strategic and sale curation objectives
Collaborate with internal support partners, such as Marketing, Client Strategy, Press, Operations, and Events to ensure innovative and strategic client engagement opportunities within UHNW collecting segments.
Liaise with regional representatives and international colleagues to set international touring and exhibition schedule, identifying opportunities for cross-category collaboration
Liaise with internal stakeholder groups, such as Legal, Credit, Bids, Compliance, Post Sale Service Center and Operations to problem solve and identify improved process efficiencies.
Work with Global Managing Director on leading, managing and communicating procedural or management changes.
Maintain relationships with business partners, such as security, operations, and legal, to ensure the safe and compliant movement of high-value property
Manage operations to meet financial targets by executing on department strategic plan, and managing operating costs within budget
Cost and P&L management
Partner with Finance Business Partner to prepare budgets and forecasts for US Luxury group and ensure delivery of accurate information to support financial reporting
Prepare documentation and information for financial deal reviews, including but not limited to financial scenarios, cost estimation packs, and risk analysis
Work with Specialists and business getters to structure and negotiate profitable deals within approved authority matrix and commercial parameters.
Propose and/or approve auction, private sale, and Christie’s Art Finance deals to ensure alignment with broader corporate financial plan
Visible leader and role model for departments and cross-business collaboration, leading by example, with coaching and mentoring tasks
Manage divisional talent, ensuring the teams are supported and productive, with succession plans in place; identify areas for further development
Collaborate with HODs to set objective setting and performance evaluations.
Direct oversight of divisional business management team, including coordinators and head of sale management, including training, task delegation, compliance and professional development

Benefits

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 (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