Paris-Based Business Manager: Art & Luxury Deals

Sotheby's; Paris; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotheby’s in Paris seeks a Business Management professional to drive P&L focused decisions across Global Fine Arts and Luxury divisions. You will partner with specialists on live auctions, private sales, and client negotiations.

The role requires a strong Excel background, 4+ years in business management or related field, and fluency in French and English. You will support forecasting, budgeting, and strategic initiatives in a dynamic, art-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 4+ years of professional experience in business management, banking, financial or consulting role.
• Written and spoken French and English.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills; ability to succinctly present to stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds.
• Prior deal or contract negotiation experience preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Highly organized, detail oriented, multi-tasker.
• Creative problem solver, energetic and persistent.
• Confident team player, capable of working well independently in ambiguous situations.
• Prior art experience is not required, but an interest or curiosity in art or other luxury objects is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Support the pipeline of all deals to drive sales and accountability, in active collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Support, manage, and track all auction consignments, including corresponding legal agreements with Legal team; with oversight from senior Business Management where appropriate.
• Support annual budget planning and regular forecasting in partnership with Paris Business Management.
• Develop financial models (revenue and expense) to support consignments for all revenue streams; approve/escalate where appropriate.
• Prepare client facing deal communication and take a client facing role for commercial terms, when required.
• Serve as the first business point of contact for negotiations for consignments, vendors, consultants, or other third parties, including corresponding legal agreements with Legal team; with oversight from senior Business Management where appropriate.
• Translate financial results and KPIs into operational recommendations to optimize the business.
• Manage all sale and department expenses; with oversight from senior Business Management where appropriate.
• Regularly review and develop plans for Sotheby’s inventory, in partnership with Operations and Finance teams.
• Act in a client-facing capacity and as an internal conduit to troubleshoot pre- and post- sale issues.
• Act as a strategic partner for senior management by reviewing competitive analysis, maintaining market share reporting, and analyzing trends in deal making.
• Research potential additional revenue streams and partner with key internal stakeholders to develop business plans.
• Work collaboratively to propose, manage, and implement efficiencies, integration, and adoption for new IT and digital improvements aligned to overall responsibilities.

Skills

P&L management

Deal negotiation

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder communication

Multi-tasking

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Sotheby’s in Paris seeks a Business Management professional to drive P&L focused decisions across Global Fine Arts and Luxury divisions. You will partner with specialists on live auctions, private sales, and client negotiations.

The role requires a strong Excel background, 4+ years in business management or related field, and fluency in French and English. You will support forecasting, budgeting, and strategic initiatives in a dynamic, art-focused environment.