AVP, Global Program Manager

Sotheby's France; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotheby’s in London is seeking an AVP, Senior Program Manager to lead cross-functional initiatives across Global Real Estate, Security and Facilities. You will translate priorities into clear workplans, drive program momentum, and keep stakeholders aligned across a global network of teams.

The role emphasizes disciplined execution, governance, and collaboration, contributing to strategic planning and ongoing operational success in a dynamic, luxury-art environment.

Responsibilities

• Program and Project Execution: Manage and execute key initiatives across the global real estate portfolio, from initial planning through operational readiness and ongoing use.
• Cross-functional Coordination: Coordinate closely with Facilities, Security, Logistics, IT, Client Experience, Marketing, Events, Programming, Global Fine Arts, Luxury, Finance, Legal, Procurement, and other teams as required.
• Communication and Stakeholder Management: Establish clear and consistent communication so relevant stakeholders remain informed of project progress, decisions, risks, changes, and upcoming milestones.
• Governance, Tracking and Reporting: Establish and maintain practical governance structures, project trackers, action logs, decision records, and reporting tools.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve coordination, communication, documentation, and accountability across the function.

Job description

ABOUT SOTHEBY'S

Established in 1744, Sotheby's promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories 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 through RM Sotheby's and Concierge. Sotheby's Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby's new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.

THE ROLE

The AVP, Senior Program Manager is responsible for managing and executing key initiatives across Global Real Estate, Security and Facilities. Working closely with the SVP, Global Head of Real Estate, Security & Facilities, this role translates priorities and decisions into clear workplans, drives projects forward, and ensures stakeholders remain informed and aligned.

Acting as a connective layer across teams, the AVP brings structure and accountability to complex cross-functional initiatives. The role coordinates stakeholders, tracks actions and dependencies, identifies and resolves execution challenges, and maintains clear communication throughout the lifecycle of each initiative.

The AVP will contribute to strategic planning and decision-making while primarily focusing on disciplined execution, cross-functional coordination, and operational follow-through.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program and Project Execution

• Manage and execute key initiatives across the global real estate portfolio, from initial planning through operational readiness and ongoing use.
• Translate priorities and strategic decisions into actionable project plans with clear milestones, responsibilities, timelines, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate activity across site acquisition, design, construction, occupancy planning, operational transition, and post-opening integration, as applicable.
• Maintain momentum across concurrent initiatives by tracking progress, identifying risks and dependencies, resolving roadblocks, and escalating issues when necessary.

Cross-functional Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Facilities, Security, Logistics, IT, Client Experience, Marketing, Events, Programming, Global Fine Arts, Luxury, Finance, Legal, Procurement, and other teams as required.
• Serve as a central point of coordination, ensuring stakeholders understand project objectives, responsibilities, deadlines, and decisions.
• Facilitate productive working sessions and maintain alignment among stakeholders with different priorities and areas of expertise.
• Follow up consistently with project owners and contributors to ensure commitments are met, issues are addressed, and decisions are made in a timely manner.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

• Establish clear and consistent communication so relevant stakeholders remain informed of project progress, decisions, risks, changes, and upcoming milestones.
• Prepare concise project updates, presentations, briefing materials, and decision documents for senior leadership and working teams.
• Synthesize complex or fragmented information into clear summaries, recommendations, decisions, and next steps.
• Structure meeting agendas, document decisions, assign actions, ensure timely follow-through, and surface issues requiring leadership input with sufficient context.

Governance, Tracking and Reporting

• Establish and maintain practical governance structures, project trackers, action logs, decision records, and reporting tools.
• Monitor progress against milestones, budgets, dependencies, and operational-readiness requirements while maintaining clear accountability for owners, deadlines, and next actions.
• Support a consistent operating cadence, including monthly management meetings, quarterly business reviews, budget planning sessions, and project-specific working groups.
• Develop and track key performance indicators, identify gaps or recurring execution challenges, and recommend improvements to project processes and ways of working.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve coordination, communication, documentation, and accountability across the function.
• Develop repeatable tools, templates, and processes that strengthen project delivery and operational consistency.
• Apply lessons learned from completed initiatives to improve future planning and execution.
• Encourage collaborative problem-solving, practical innovation, and continuous improvement across project teams.

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.