Business Operations Manager, Luxury

Sotheby's•New York, NY

2d•$70,000 - $90,000

About The Position

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which 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. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative. THE ROLE The Business Operations Manager, Luxury, Americas is a key business partner responsible for driving operational excellence and sale execution across Sotheby’s Luxury categories in the Americas. Reporting to the Head of Business Management & Business Operations, the role partners closely with Specialist Departments, Business Directors, Operations, and Marketing to ensure auctions and exhibitions are delivered efficiently and to the highest standards. Central to the execution of Sotheby’s Luxury strategy in the Americas, this role supports strategic initiatives, improves processes, and strengthens cross-category collaboration—enabling teams to operate with clarity, discipline, and scalability while maintaining excellence. The ideal candidate brings strong judgment, the ability to manage complexity, and confidence working with senior stakeholders in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.

Requirements

2–5 years of relevant experience in business operations, strategy, or process management; experience in luxury, art, or an auction house strongly preferred.
Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to plan, prioritize, and deliver multiple complex, deadline-driven initiatives across cross-functional stakeholders.
Creative, solutions-oriented problem solver with the ability to navigate ambiguity, identify opportunities, and drive practical, high-quality outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-profile environments with competing priorities.
Proven ability to partner with senior leaders and influence without authority.
Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple high-impact projects simultaneously and drive execution end to end.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Comfortable working independently while collaborating across large, matrixed teams.
High attention to detail paired with sound commercial judgment.
Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; experience with CRM and enterprise systems a plus.

Responsibilities

Own operational execution across all Luxury auctions and exhibitions in the Americas, serving as the central partner for live and online sales, including scheduling, exhibition planning, gallery allocation and sale-day execution.
Manage the Luxury Americas sale calendar end-to-end, ensuring alignment with business strategy and operational capacity, and maintaining accurate data across SAP, CAT, and internal systems.
Oversee and serve as the primary point of contact for exhibition logistics, gallery readiness, and property movement, partnering closely with Auction Operations, Exhibition Design, Marketing, Client Services, and Department teams to align communications, manage timelines and ensure New York galleries are fully prepared for exhibition and auction execution from planning through installation.
Partner with Specialist Departments, Operations, Marketing, and other key cross-functional partners to ensure seamless execution across sale strategy, marketing, logistics, and post-sale processes.
Lead the planning and execution of local and traveling exhibitions and serve as the Luxury liaison for international teams bringing traveling exhibitions into the region.
Monitor and report on operational KPIs, identifying risks, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Support new sale formats, cross-category initiatives, and special projects in partnership with category leadership.
Liaise with Specialist Departments, Marketing, and Operations to ensure the feasibility, allocation, and timely execution of all sale materials and marketing initiatives—including digital campaigns, photography, editorial, website content, and print catalogues—while tracking short- and long-term marketing commitments through delivery.
Provide hands-on support for previews, exhibitions, client events, and private gatherings.
Partner with the Pre-Sale Coordinator, Marketing Manager and Sale Directors to review and approve legal marketing riders.
Contribute to proposals by advising on feasible marketing, exhibition, special project and traveling exhibition commitments.
Execute and support proposal development in Marq, as needed.
Identify, propose, and implement operational improvements, including digital tools, systems adoption, and workflow efficiencies.
Partner with Business Operations teams globally to share best practices and support alignment as capabilities scale across regions.
Maintain strong cross-divisional relationships, including with RM Sotheby’s and Sotheby’s Realty, to support joint initiatives and execution.