- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Director
- Compensation
- $150,000–170,000/year
- Department
- Wholesale, Commercial & B2B Sales
- Industry
- Wines, Spirits & Gastronomy
- Posted
- Nov 10, 2026
About Sotheby's
Sotheby’s is an auction house founded in London in 1744. Its specialists work across fine art and collecting categories including jewelry, watches, handbags, wine, design, and classic cars. The house connects collectors through live and online auctions, private sales, and fixed-price purchases. Its work spans specialist research and cataloging, client services, marketing, technology, finance, and operations, supporting the preparation, sale, and movement of objects across its international network.
Sotheby’s seeks an experienced, independent Head of Wine Auction Sales, Americas to grow the business through client development, profitable auction consignments, buyer advice, and sales leadership. The role includes event hosting, wine inspection and valuation, cataloguing, sale administration, cross-selling, and collaboration across the wine business. The proposed base salary is $150,000–$170,000, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus and competitive benefits.
Role & Responsibilities
- Cultivate new clients and maintain strong relationships with existing clients.
- Secure profitable auction consignments, meeting individual revenue targets and the department’s annual plan.
- Provide auction and retail buying advice, including guidance on wines for drinking and investment.
- Manage sales and sale administration.
- Develop clients through event management and participation, including entertaining.
- Inspect auction wine property at warehouses and client premises to support the wine property team.
- Deliver a high level of client service to promote sales.
- Host clients at wine auctions, tastings, dinners, and related events in collaboration with Marketing and Sales Management.
- Cross-sell the retail business to auction buyers.
- Lead and guide other auction wine specialists.
- Research and provide valuations to support the sales pipeline and insurance requirements.
- Catalogue and proof wines to the highest standard in support of the wine property team.
- Provide requested marketing content, including photographs, to support the wine property team.
- Liaise with Catalogue Production and Sale Creation teams to prepare sales.
- Participate in local, regional, and global Sotheby’s Wine projects as required.
- Support other areas of the Sotheby’s Wine business as required.
- Maintain a client-first approach through active, timely communication, centering client needs in decisions and actions while complying with Sotheby’s policies and code of conduct.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent business experience.
- Strong understanding of and experience with the auction process and business model.
- WSET Diploma preferred.
- Exceptional knowledge of fine and rare wines and vintages relevant to the auction market, with valuation experience.
- Excellent written and oral interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to exemplary client service.
- High attention to detail.
- Self-starter able to make commercial decisions independently.
- Strong networking ability and capacity to convert social connections into business opportunities.
- Experience networking and selling to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
- Professional, discreet, commercially minded client-service skills.
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and SAP preferred.
- Ability to undertake significant physical work moving cases of wine in warehouses and private cellars.
- Domestic and potentially international travel required.
- Team player with a cooperative attitude and willingness to take on a wide variety of tasks.
- Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Flexibility and receptiveness to change.
Skills
Education
Undergraduate degree in a relevant field or equivalent business experience; WSET Diploma preferred.
Workplace
The role is situated in New York, New York, USA.
Explore jobs in New York or in the USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 150,000 to USD 170,000 per annum.
Benefits
Eligible candidates may receive a discretionary bonus and a competitive benefits package.
Culture
Sotheby’s describes its culture in terms of client service, specialist knowledge, curiosity, collaboration, and ethical conduct. Its careers materials emphasize working across disciplines and encouraging employees to explore internal opportunities.
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.