VP Europe and Middle East Salon Operations

Sotheby's; London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the luxury sector seeks a VP of Europe and Middle East Retail Operations to enhance their omnichannel retail strategy. The role involves overseeing salon operations, driving client engagement, and ensuring a seamless luxury experience across digital and physical platforms. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in luxury retail, strong leadership skills, and a passion for innovation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in luxury and/or omnichannel retail.
• Experience in clienteling, digital engagement, and hospitality.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate retail salon teams.
• Define and improve retail operations across multiple locations.
• Use data to drive decisions and improve client experience.

Skills

Leadership

Client Engagement

Organizational Skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

MBA

Job description

ABOUT SOTHEBY'S

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 VP of Europe and Middle East Retail Operations is responsible for leading the development and execution of Sotheby’s omnichannel retail strategy, including oversight and coordination of salon experience, staff, and operations; pre- and post-sale logistics; sales reporting; and partnership across multiple corporate functions and categories to grow the omnichannel retail business and create a seamless and best-in-class luxury client journey. You will design, lead, and oversee initiatives to acquire new clients and increase retention and value of existing clients, grounded in data and enabled by a variety of client engagement tactics. You will oversee the delivery of services and experiences virtually and in person, and ensure visibility and traffic flow from our digital properties to our salons. You will work internally and externally to be the voice of retail and work to connect the dots between retail and the full Sotheby’s ecosystem, regionally and globally.

RESPONSIBLITIES

• Lead, develop, and motivate the teams in the retail salon, creating a culture of luxury, performance, and client-centricity
• Define, implement, and continually improve retail operations and technology across salons in London, Paris, Zurich, and any future salon locations within the region
• Collaborate with luxury marketplace teams globally to ensure visibility of salon merchandise across our digital platforms to drive traffic to salon locations
• Standardize operational processes and apply continuous improvement methodologies to grow and improve the business results and elevate the client experience
• Enable quick and seamless pre- and post-sale logistics processes
• Use data to make decisions and form business cases, centered around a strong understanding of unit economics, tying back to the balance sheet and overall P&L.
• Work with internal analytics and marketing functions to pursue performance marketing initiatives that drive traffic and sales to salon properties
• Alongside internal partners, develop community and vendor relationships that drive business growth

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA is desired
• 10+ years in luxury and/or omnichannel retail with experience in clienteling, digital engagement, hospitality and/or client experience a plus
• Proven track record in driving scalable change and business transformations
• Comfortable with ambiguity and change – retail is an emergent function within Sotheby’s and an entrepreneurial mindset is preferred
• Willingness to continuously improve, develop, and understand industry best practices and a desire to stay ahead of the curve and at the forefront of innovation
• Have experience managing teams; experience managing retail teams a plus
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team (local and global)
• Excellent organisational skills
• Be proactive/motivated/confident/forward thinking and efficient, with a good eye for detail and ability to prioritise tasks and to meet deadlines
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken
• Fluent in English essential, other languages beneficial

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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.