Head of Career Services in London

Location: Sotheby’s Institute of Art - London, 30 Bedford Square, WC1B 3EE, with hybrid working. Occasional UK and international travel may be required.

Reports to: Director of Sotheby’s Institute of Art - London

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Salary range: £70,000 - £79,000 per annum

About Us

Established in 1969, Sotheby's Institute of Art is now among the world's leading specialist higher education institutions, offering programmes for professionals, pre-college audiences and postgraduate students seeking careers in art business and an understanding of the global art economy. Our offerings cover everything from art history to key business skills from our campuses located in the world’s art capitals of London and New York, as well as online.

Role Summary

The Head of Career Services will direct the career services strategy, enhance the employability of Sotheby’s Institute of Art students and build global relationships with employers and art market and luxury professionals to foster career, placement and internship opportunities for students. They will manage all aspects of career services and programming for current students and alumni and support them with their careers planning and successful transition to employment in the art and luxury worlds.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the lead professional expert on careers and employability matters.
• Manage a team spanning global careers and related alumni services.
• Budget holder for the Careers Service.
• Lead provision for one-on-one career advising sessions, plan and implement career development programmes and events, including skills-building activities, as well as review CV’s / cover letters etc.
• Lead on research, development and delivery of professional development workshops and seminars.
• Feed our internal job / internship portal and careers database.
• Develop new employment, placement and internship opportunities within the art and luxury worlds by cultivating contacts and fostering relationships with auction houses, galleries, museums, art fairs, galleries and other art and luxury organisations.
• Enhance the employability of alumni and activate alumni to support employability offer to current students.
• Run careers fairs, hosting opportunities for prospective employers to present their companies and for our students to network and to learn more about various careers.
• Develop and manage new and existing work placement opportunities for students, collaborating with academic staff to ensure learning outcomes are achieved and employability is enhanced.
• Work closely with Sotheby’s Institute of Art New York to develop and support careers activities and share resources and strategies.
• Continue to develop and administer the graduate outcomes survey.
• Liaise with Sotheby’s Auction House and Human Resources Department.
• Serve as an ambassador for Sotheby’s Institute of Art, promote professional development in the art market, and proactively advance the careers of our students and alumni.
• Advise the Institute on changing trends in relevant employment fields.
• Speak at admissions events, alumni events, and participate on career panels where appropriate.
• Collaborate on special projects and Institute-wide initiatives as needed.
• Work with marketing team on promotional content for Sotheby’s Institute highlighting careers opportunities and Careers Service.
• Support student recruitment and conversion.

Person Specification

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and experience of the art world.
• Educated to at least degree level.
• Experience of managing a team.
• High level organizational skills, ability to work under pressure and deal with conflicting priorities.
• Passion for supporting next gen of art and luxury professionals and understand the challenges of breaking into the sector.
• Excellent verbal, including public speaking skills, and written communication skills.
• High level interpersonal skills.
• Strong IT skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Desirable Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the luxury industry.
• Experience of working in a careers advisory / related role.
• Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject.
• Second language skills.

Application Process

Please complete an online application form. You will be required to upload your CV and cover letter to your application, demonstrating your interest in this position and how you meet the person specification. CVs without a covering letter will not be considered. The closing date for applications is midnight on Wednesday 2nd December 2026. Early applications are encouraged, as applications will be reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis.

Benefits of working for Sotheby’s Institute of Art include:

• 25 days annual leave plus up to 4 days additional discretionary leave during the Christmas period.
• Hybrid working.
• 2 discretionary Company Global Celebration Days.
• Option to purchase an additional 5 days annual leave on a salary sacrifice basis.
• Life insurance.
• 24/7 access to Spectrum.Life, a comprehensive health and wellbeing platform.
• Access to courses within the Edconic online course portfolio free of charge.
• Employee and family discounts on all Edconic courses.
• Volunteering days.
• Discount for gym membership.
• Access to a comprehensive e-learning platform.
• Enhanced maternity and sickness payment benefits (after qualifying period).