Head of Office, Brussels and Luxembourg Job at Sotheby's (New York)

Job Description

The Head of Office Belgium will work in close partnership with the Managing Director, France, and the local and WW Heads of Divisions to drive operational excellence and promote a collaborative and efficient cross working environment. The role will specifically lead the local team in Brussels, fostering collaboration and ensuring alignment with business objectives. This role is essential to build strong relationships with existing clients while proactively identifying and developing new business opportunities. It also involves close collaboration with the GFA & Luxury Divisions both within Belgium and internationally to support the local sourcing, manage exports for non-Belgium markets, and conclude private sales. The Head of Office will assume responsibility, as needed, for overseeing administrative processes to ensure full compliance with the Corporate Governance, Compliance Policy and Belgium regulations. This role requires a dynamic and results-oriented individual with a deep understanding of the auction house environment. It also requires outstanding business acumen, with a keen ability to identify growth opportunities and drive consignments in line with Sotheby's broader objectives.

Job Responsibility

Consignment Sourcing and Negotiations for Auction and Private sales: Negotiate and organize consignments, client contact and providing expert valuations. Responsible for meeting export requirements and net profit targets for auctions and private sales of the Belgium office as well as any individual business getting target set for the year
Report on country pipeline of business both in GFA and Luxury and participate to weekly business getting meeting with major Business getters of Europe
Collaborate with the Managing Director, France, and the Europe Heads of Divisions on strategic planning, ensuring business solutions align with company goals
Contribute to business development initiatives, including private sales to drive growth
Work with Relationship Managers (RM) and experts to develop plans for expanding the client base and identifying new business opportunities and initiatives
Promote sales and bring bidders
Maintain an active presence in the local art market to build and nurture relationships with collectors, galleries, and other key stakeholders. Promote Sotheby’s services across Belgium, driving brand visibility and sponsorship opportunities
Collaborate with Marketing and Press teams to expand Sotheby’s presence through sponsorship and strategic relationships
Programming of Brussels gallery in liaison with WW head of Programming and France management
Develop partnerships and non-auction revenue sources such as gallery rentals, sponsored vents with banks/institution/family offices
Foster strong client relationships, address concerns promptly, and maintain high levels of satisfaction
Ensure exceptional service standards are maintained both internally and externally
Organize events for the Brussels Gallery, handling invitations, catalogues, sales/exhibition setups, and attending viewings to ensure event success
Represent Sotheby’s Belgium at client events as one of the main public faces of the Sotheby’s in Belgium
Serve as a key internal stakeholder for business-related matters, addressing staff, client concerns, and events
Collaborate closely with the local team, identifying and addressing operational or employee issues while adhering to the matrix reporting structure
Coordinate local teams to resolve concerns and ensure alignment across business functions
Facilitate seamless communication and collaboration across departments to drive business goals and maintain a positive team dynamic
Oversee office administration, as needed, ensuring compliance with company policies and best practices
Manage the local team, look after career progression and motivation and moral of the team
Organise weekly meeting with the team on country activity
Manage export monitoring and ensure adherence to legal and operational procedures in Belgium
Ensure compliance with Belgium legal and business standards, maintaining proper governance
Lead legal activities and collaborate with legal teams in NYC, London, and Paris, the Managing Director for France, and local Heads of Divisions
Enforce health and safety protocols, ensuring the site complies with Belgium safety regulations
Assist in managing security operations for the building, ensuring a safe and secure environment
Conduct regular safety inspections and risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards
Manage emergency response plans, ensuring preparedness for incidents and maintaining safety standards
Ensure full compliance with local regulations, building codes, and environmental laws in Belgium
Maintain strong relationships with the landlord, overseeing relevant property matters

Requirements

8+ years of professional experience in a similar role within an art market industry is highly preferred, with a strong understanding of auction processes and business dynamics
In-depth knowledge of the art and luxury market, both locally and internationally, including trends, key players, and the nuances of the art world
Personal network of clients in Fine arts and Luxury
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build lasting client relationships and deliver an exemplary level of service, both verbally and in writing
Fluency in French, Flemish and English are essential, additional language skills are a strong asset
Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a cross-departmental team, contributing to a positive and efficient working environment
Strong capacity to perform under pressure while maintaining focus on achieving deadlines and delivering high-quality results
Excellent networking and influencing abilities, with a track record of successfully building relationships with clients, vendors, and key industry players to drive business growth

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Head of Office, Brussels and Luxembourg

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