Christie's Finance and Operations Manager

About Christie's

Founded in London in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s is a leading international auction house whose heritage spans fine art, decorative arts, jewellery and exceptional collectibles. Through auctions, private sales and digital platforms, it connects collectors with remarkable objects and the expertise that brings their histories to life. As an employer, Christie’s offers career paths across specialist departments, client services, marketing, technology and operations within a global, culturally rich environment. Its work calls for intellectual curiosity, discretion and meticulous attention to detail, appealing to professionals who value scholarship, commercial acumen and the exacting standards of the international art and luxury markets.

Gooding Christie’s seeks a Finance and Operations Manager for a parental leave contract to oversee day-to-day financial management, post-auction processes, regulatory coordination, auction operations, and business infrastructure. The role supports integration with Christie’s and partners with senior management and cross-functional teams to maintain financial and operational standards.

Role & Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day Finance and Operations, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and cash forecasting, financial controls, purchasing, expense reporting, corporate card administration, travel systems, and major company expenditures.
• Oversee post-auction financial and client-service processes, including invoicing, buyer documentation, sale-proceeds accounting, consignor settlements and disbursements, transaction completion, and coordination of complex or sensitive post-sale matters.
• Coordinate regulatory, tax, licensing, and compliance activities across multiple jurisdictions, including required reporting and filings with motor vehicle agencies, taxation and finance authorities, and other governmental bodies in the United States and internationally.
• Support planning and execution of domestic and international auction events, including event budgets, vendor and contract management, operational logistics, financial controls, and coordination with internal teams and outside service providers.
• Oversee operational infrastructure, including facilities, warehouses, business applications, technology systems, and domestic and international movement of high-value collector vehicles, including customs, tariffs, import duties, and related logistics.
• Work with senior management and Sales, Marketing, Legal, Accounting, Client Services, and Operations teams to establish effective processes, resolve financial and operational issues, support organizational planning, and maintain appropriate business standards.
• Support integration initiatives with Christie’s by aligning business applications, financial practices, employee workflows, reporting processes, and other operational procedures, and identifying and escalating financial, operational, contractual, regulatory, or client-related risks as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Significant experience in finance, accounting, operations, or a comparable management role, with demonstrated responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, cash management, financial controls, and day-to-day business operations.
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including the ability to understand financial statements, manage budgets and cash forecasts, identify variances, and exercise sound judgment regarding expenditures and financial priorities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively across departments, with strong organizational, problem-solving, and project-management skills.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, including experience managing employees, setting expectations, improving processes, and collaborating with senior management and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the maturity and discretion to manage confidential financial information, sensitive client matters, and complex business issues.
• High attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to establish and maintain effective financial controls, operational procedures, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and ability to learn and work effectively with Salesforce, financial systems, Christie’s applications, and other business technology platforms.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with changing priorities, particularly around auction events, and willingness to travel or work extended hours when business needs require.

Skills

Experience

Significant experience in finance, accounting, operations, or a comparable management role.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 115,000 to USD 125,000 per annum.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plans for employees and dependents, with Christie’s paying an average of 80% of total premiums; 401(k) matching contributions up to 5%, subject to IRS limits; life insurance of three times base salary up to $400,000, fully paid by Christie’s; disability insurance, fully paid by Christie’s; time-off and leave policies, including 100% paid family leave for up to 16 weeks; fitness-fee and membership reimbursement up to $600 per year; annual discretionary performance bonus plan; pre-tax commuter benefits and a $21 monthly Christie’s contribution; up to 10 days of backup child or elder care through Bright Horizons; one paid CSR day per year; perks and discounts through Zo and Plum Benefit.

Culture

Christie’s workplace culture centres on specialist expertise, intellectual curiosity and a shared appreciation for art and exceptional objects, with discretion and attentive client service shaping its professional environment. Its international auction business brings together specialists and colleagues across disciplines, combining a distinguished heritage with an evolving approach to digital engagement and the global art market.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.