Head of Auction Sales, Continental Europe, Sotheby’s Wine

<p><strong>ABOUT SOTHEBY'S</strong></p> <p>Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Synonymous with innovation, Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions, private sales and retail locations. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.</p> <p> </p><p><strong>THE ROLE</strong></p> <p>The Head of Auction Sales is part of the global wine &amp; spirits leadership team and will focus on maximizing the growth of Sotheby’s Wine business in Continental Europe, with an emphasis on driving sales from the region to auction (and retail), both locally and internationally. You will have specialist knowledge and experience, be a highly-motivated independent self-starter, tasked with sourcing high value collections, negotiating profitable sales, meeting P&amp;L plan and margin targets across the business. He or she will have and develop a significant private client and trade network, as well as targeted producer relationships. You will negotiate deals, inspect and catalogue wines, provide advice to buyers both for drinking and investment, create and attend Wine events, and provide general organization and administration as the business requires. As part of the global wine &amp; spirits leadership team, you will be expected to contribute to and implement the growth strategy focusing on Continental Europe.</p> <p><strong>RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p> <p><strong>Leadership</strong></p> <ul> <li>Enhance the visibility of Sotheby’s Wine as part of the Sotheby’s brands, and drive profitable growth of Sotheby’s Wine to secure its short- and long-term success</li> <li>Apply your innate understanding of the wine trade to further create a Sotheby’s Wine brand in Continental Europe that is commercially appealing, consistent with the brand and priced sensibly</li> <li>Contribute to the success of the business plan by meeting and exceeding assigned sales goals</li> <li>Develop and implement the agreed auction, retail (including e-Commerce) and storage (including virtual storage) vision for Sotheby’s Wine in Europe, collaborating equally with the UK </li> <li>Wine and global Wine management teams</li> <li>Collaborate with internal stakeholders across the wider business as well as the global Sotheby’s Wine team to compose, produce and execute interesting, innovative and profitable sale formats and concepts across the Sotheby’s sales channels</li> <li>Develop strong and collaborative relationships both within Sotheby’s Wine and within the auction house generally</li> <li>Develop, train, manage, incentivise and retain the Continental Europe Wine team in all locations</li> <li>Foster, develop and enhance critical supplier relationships with the top wine producers in Continental Europe </li> </ul> <p><strong>Expertise</strong></p> <ul> <li>Sourcing and securing profitable consignments for auction and direct selling opportunities through retail, meeting individual revenue targets and helping the team meet annual budget targets</li> <li>Secure profitable consignments for auction and wholesaler and/or private purchases for retail, meeting individual revenue targets and help the local and global teams meet annual plan</li> <li>Cultivate and execute producer partnership strategies to obtain auction consignments and retail purchases where permitted.</li> <li>Setting an example of scholarship providing expertise, researching and cataloguing wines to the highest standard</li> <li>Perform property inspection for wine at Sotheby’s Wine warehouses and on-site at client’s premises</li> <li>Proofing digital catalogues and listings</li> <li>Valuing property to provide auction/retail/fair market/insurance estimates as required by the client</li> <li>Assisting with inspection and research/cataloguing of wines for sale in New York and Hong Kong when required</li> </ul> <p><strong>Client Relationship Management</strong></p> <ul> <li>Grow Sotheby’s Wine private client and trade network in Continental Drive a long-term client development strategy across private, trade and winery clients</li> <li>Using Specialist knowledge and expertise on strategic long-term business getting focused on high level opportunities and their requirements.  </li> <li>Act as a client contact for this client base and develop strong relationships with revenue opportunities</li> <li>Act as an ambassador for the Wine business within Sotheby’s, promoting its services, products and expertise to internal stakeholders, cross selling the Sotheby’s Wine business to all Sotheby’s clients</li> <li>Provide advice to buyers across both auction &amp; retail</li> <li>Responsible for selling wine to clients via telephone, email, in-person and at events</li> <li>Ev