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 Departments, or in one of our more Operational 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 fresh ideas whilst not forgetting our shared values; Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility & Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is inspiring to work with industry leaders across our business.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Business Development, EMEA, the Business Director will partner with the Heads of Valuations, London and Paris, and the Specialist Head, Private & Iconic Collections and Head of Heritage and Taxation, to drive and realise the department's objectives, pipeline and profitability. The Business Director is responsible for the financial management, strategic and operational integrity of EMEA Valuations and Private & Iconic Collections, as well as overseeing the management of the team. The Business Director will proactively evaluate, identify and propose development opportunities to align with the department's objectives as well as leading on key initiatives and projects.
Specific duties & responsibilities will include but are not limited to:-
Strategy Setting and Business Planning
* Lead weekly team meeting, effectively and regularly communicating organizational clarity around key dates, strategic direction, deadlines, deliverables, roles and responsibilities, and department culture/behaviour.
* Maintain an overview of Valuations, Heritage & Taxation and Private & Iconic Collections business pipeline and identify opportunities for growth and improvement.
* Provide and communicate competitive analysis and insight on market segments, including departmental KPIs and market share, and suggestions for development.
* Pro-actively identify and implement improvements to operational systems for the department, including meeting structure, process, confidential data, archives, reporting and the development of CAMS.
* Partner with support teams and articulate and implement department needs – Client & Object strategy, Proposals, Marketing, Press & Coms, Legal, ICO, Bids, HR & Operations.
* Utilise Valuation and Sale Coordination support on operational aspects, business & department coordination tasks.
* Liaise with counterparts in New York and Hong Kong to ensure best practice across roles and process.
Management Responsibilities
* Work with Heads of Valuations, London and Paris, and Specialist Head, Private & Iconic Collections to identify staffing needs, long term development plans and succession planning across all areas of the team, including consultants.
* Oversee consultants and ensure agreements and invoices are communicated in a timely manner, identifying opportunities for team development and staffing.
* Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, objective setting; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
* Review and approve travel and expenses in alignment with corporate policies.
* Conduct performance reviews and set objectives and development plans in line with overall department and corporate objectives.
* Lead Engagement Survey Feedback and Action Plan and develop and coordinate Department Offsites.
Financial Responsibilities
* Track revenue for Valuations and Heritage & Taxation and explore initiatives to maximise profitability.
* Prepare financial deals for Collection Sales, liaising with Business Directors of the respective departments.
* Be lead partner with ICO for all guarantee, third party guarantee and advances for presentation at SBF.
* Oversee creation of sale contracts and any corresponding charitable paperwork.
* Maintain profitability through monitoring deal and sale related costs, from consultants to catalogues, and identify possible areas for increased margin.
* Ensure auction consignments conform to the agreed terms and conditions of sale and policies of 'what we sell'.
* Monitor sale interest and oversee Auctioneer/Finance Meetings to mitigate any risk.
* Oversee post-sale process including extended payment terms process to ensure calibrated buyer payment and seller payout with ICO, client account and sale coordinators.
* Provide insight and information to Finance Partner to enable weekly pipeline updates, annual budgeting, forecasting, sale P&L and other reporting.
* Develop and action annual budgeting and calendar planning for Valuations, Heritage & Taxation and Private & Iconic Collections.
The Candidate
* Master's degree in Business Management or equivalent field preferred; or an undergraduate degree with at least 6 years of related work experience.
* Demonstrated ability to lead and influence, effectively present information and respond to questions from colleagues and clients.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
* Demonstrated financial acumen.
* Demonstrated proactive, collaborative approach.
* Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
* Expert knowledge of Outlook, Excel, Word Processing, and Presentation software.
* Ability to create and analyse Excel spreadsheets, bar graphs, reports and business correspondence.
* European languages beneficial (but not essential).
What's Great About Working For Us
* 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave + Christie's Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 2nd Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family
* Additional 1 week's annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on
* Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that's important to you
* Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about
* Flexible Fitness Fund - £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable)
* Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues
* Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year)
* Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie's)
* Private Health Insurance – no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members
* Dental Insurance – (may be extended at personal cost)
* Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months
* Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day
* Employee Assistance Programme – access to personal advice and support services including counselling
* Eyecare vouchers (once a year)
* Cycle to Work scheme
* Christie's Extras – discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops
* Seniorcare by Lottie, a comprehensive eldercare solution
* Robust family first policy:
Ø 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave
Ø Four-day week, for eight weeks, at full pay on return from Maternity Leave
Ø Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year
Ø The Stork Club: Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…
* Christie's reserves the right to change company benefits at any time
Closing Date: 19th October