Program Director – MA in Art Business
The Program Director of the MA in Art Business (MAAB) will lead Sotheby’s Institute of Art’s graduate program in Art Business, offered both in‑person and online. The role requires a deep expertise in the art business sector, significant academic and industry experience, and strong administrative skills. The Director will promote excellence, expand the program’s reach, and guide an innovative curriculum that reflects the evolving global art market.
Responsibilities
* Serve as the academic leader of the MA in Art Business for both in‑person and online programs.
* Strengthen the program’s academic profile and reinforce its reputation as a leader in the field.
* Teach courses on the MA in Art Business and other programs at the Institute, as needed.
* Establish and maintain strong external relationships with partners and stakeholders, including guest lecturers.
* Work closely with the Institute Director and other faculty and staff on Institute‑wide curricular review and academic policy and procedure.
* Review, assess, oversee, and make recommendations for ongoing changes and improvements in the curriculum, in coordination with the Institute’s academic goals.
* Identify and recruit potential new faculty members; orient, mentor, engage, and evaluate new and returning faculty; determine workload assignments for each faculty member; oversee student advisement assignments.
* Oversee assessment (grading and evaluation) processes in accordance with accreditation standards and the Institute’s procedures.
* Oversee the efficient operation of the program and coordinate its operation with other programs, including planning the academic calendar and class schedule, developing and managing the program budget, and supervising and evaluating Program Coordinators.
* Actively engage in recruitment, conversion, and enrollment of applicants, in cooperation with the Department of Global Enrollment and Marketing, including participation in events, interviewing potential students, and preparing marketing materials.
* Contribute to the formulation of institute‑wide academic strategy, policy, and procedure.
* Serve as a member of or chair Institute committees as requested.
* Prepare reports, documents, and other materials required for the Institute’s accreditation obligations.
* Participate in professional organizations and activities as a representative of the Institute and maintain strong links with industry professionals.
* Participate in orientation, graduation, and other Institute events as needed and identified by the Director.
* Provide lectures, classes, seminars, and visits; assess student work related to those activities.
* Serve as dissertation supervisor to an appropriate number of students.
* Manage the planning of and participate in academic field‑study trips.
* Position the Institute as a thought leader in the field of art business by organizing events such as seminars, conferences, and panels on relevant subjects.
* Maintain a broad knowledge of scholarly research, professional activity, and trends and developments in the field, and actively disseminate this knowledge throughout the Institute.
* Conduct academic research and/or professional activity that is commensurate with the standing of Program Director and a faculty member of a teaching‑intensive institution.
Qualifications
* Terminal degree (PhD or professional equivalent) in a relevant field.
* Deep expertise in the art business sector supported by significant academic and professional experience.
* Proven experience in higher‑education teaching and curriculum development, ideally with graduate and international students, and a demonstrated commitment to mentorship and collaboration.
* Strong record of scholarship, research, and/or thought leadership in art business or a related discipline (e.g., art market studies, sociology of art, cultural economics, history of collecting).
* Superior interpersonal and organizational skills with high emotional intelligence.
* Demonstrates diplomacy, discretion, and tact; communicates clearly and effectively; exercises sound judgment in managing sensitive and complex situations; prioritizes and manages competing demands under pressure with efficiency and accuracy; anticipates challenges and takes proactive action to resolve issues.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, lead, and engage stakeholders across and beyond the Institute.
* Must be able to report to the 570 Lexington Avenue campus in New York for teaching and program‑related activities, with flexibility to work extended hours when necessary.
* Strong record of scholarly publication in art business or related disciplines.
* Broad expertise in the contemporary art market.
* Familiarity with U.S. higher education accreditation and compliance.
* Experience supervising faculty and mentoring emerging educators or practitioners.
* Adeptness at teaching both in‑person and online, with digital fluency in learning platforms.
* Demonstrated success in student recruitment and enrollment growth.
* Experience with field‑based learning (global study trips, industry site visits) and experiential pedagogy.
* Budget and finance management experience and data‑informed decision‑making capabilities.
* Proficiency in CANVAS, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Google Applications.
Physical Demands
* Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
* Ability to hear, understand, and distinguish speech and other sounds.
Salary and Benefits
$100,000 – $130,000 annual, plus full benefits. Salary commensurate with expertise, experience, and education.
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