Business Manager, American Art and Design

Christie's•New York, NY

5d•$80,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Business Manager provides financial, operational, and executional management for the Post-War to Present, American Art, Design, Photographs, Prints, and Outsider Art departments. Reporting to the Business Director, the role partners with sale teams and key stakeholders throughout the sale season and, alongside the Heads of Department and Business Director, contributes to decisions across the departments’ operations. The position directly manages Sale Coordinators, Department Coordinators, and temporary staff, and oversees operational processes, sale execution, financial approvals, inventory control, client concerns, and strategic initiatives. It works closely with internal and external partners to meet deadlines, maintain compliance, improve processes, manage risk, and support departmental business plans.

Requirements

At least 5 years of work experience, preferably in auctions or an equivalent field.
Demonstrated proactive and collaborative approach.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to solve practical problems and address varied situations where standardization is limited.
Knowledge of Outlook, Excel, word-processing, and presentation software.
Ability to create and analyze Excel spreadsheets, bar graphs, and reports, and prepare business correspondence.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from colleagues and clients.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Directly manage Sale Coordinators, Department Coordinators, and temporary staff, including hiring, training, work assignment, performance appraisal, development planning, and problem resolution.
Partner with the Business Director and Department Heads on staffing needs, workload management, and succession planning.
Allocate coordinator and temporary resources across sales and projects, and support sale teams and coordinators on operational matters.
Communicate priorities, deliverables, deadlines, and departmental initiatives clearly and regularly.
Maintain relationships with operations, publishing, finance, marketing, legal, and other business partners to support sales.
Coordinate with external support teams, troubleshoot issues, and define and implement process improvements.
Work with sale coordinators to manage information flow, deadlines, deliverables, and the accuracy of sale-related information and commitments.
Resolve and escalate operational issues as needed, and oversee sale execution to ensure deadlines, compliance requirements, and operational milestones are met.
Work with sale teams, marketing, publishing, and others to meet key sale deadlines.
Oversee and approve consignment agreements within the role’s authority.
Assist the Regional Managing Director and Business Director in providing financial reporting information to the Finance Business Partner, including sale forecast updates, budgeting, and quarterly forecasts.
Support the Business Director in preparing documentation for deals requiring elevated approvals.
Review and approve lot withdrawals and associated fees, certain cancelled sales, post-sale settlement amendments, client settlements, and damage claim costs.
Manage catalogue costs within the budget provided by Content, approve purchase orders, and approve property movement and associated costs.
Approve catalogue elements related to compliance and general sale information.
Review client charges for accurate cost capture and entry, and escalate over-budget spending.
Work with specialists, sale coordinators, and logistics to clear old inventory and address property in breach of the Inventory Policy.
Manage and resolve client concerns in coordination with client contacts and internal departments.
Work with sale teams and credit to monitor payment terms and other sale financials.
Participate in, recommend, and lead strategic initiatives as directed by the Regional Managing Director or Business Director, including identifying opportunities for growth.
Work with senior leaders and Heads of Department to prepare and deliver internal and external communications for significant events and strategic changes.
Develop and implement improvements to departmental operational systems with support departments and international teams, promoting a consistent global approach.
Work with the Business Director to monitor and mitigate outstanding risk and identify areas for improvement.
Partner with external departments to support and implement the business plan, and provide competitive analysis and insight on market segments.
Perform other duties as defined by the manager.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and dependents; Christie’s pays an average of 80% of total premiums.
401(k) savings plan with matching contributions up to 5%, subject to IRS limits.
Life insurance of three times base salary, up to $400,000, paid by Christie’s.
Disability insurance paid by Christie’s.
Generous time-off and leave policies, including up to 16 weeks of fully paid family leave.
Fitness reimbursement of eligible fees and memberships up to $600 per year.
Annual discretionary performance bonus plan.
Pre-tax commuter benefits with a Christie’s contribution of $21 per month.
Up to 10 days of backup child or elder care through Bright Horizons.
One paid corporate social responsibility day per year for time dedicated to a charity of the employee’s choice.
Perks and discounts through Zo and Plum Benefits.