At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead editorial content for Sotheby’s, crafting engaging stories about art and luxury.
- Company: Join Sotheby’s, the world’s leading auction house for art and luxury since 1744.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, discretionary bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative team that values storytelling and cultural impact in the art world.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in writing/editing, with a strong grasp of art and luxury markets required.
- Other info: Work onsite in New York, collaborating with top talent from renowned media brands.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 97200 £ per year.
Head of Editorial, North America & Europe
New York, United States
ABOUT SOTHEBY\’S
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
THE ROLE
At Sotheby’s, we proudly present for sale the most beautiful objects in the history of humankind. Now we need a world-class editor to help us tell their stories. Through the power of essays, interviews, collecting guides, and trend stories, you will bring to life the entire Sotheby’s ecosystem – from Monets and Picassos to fine wine, vintage cars, royal jewels, and grail-tier sneakers. As the Head of Editorial for North America & Europe, you will join a Content team loaded with alumni from blue-chip media and culture brands: Vogue, Apple, GQ, Turner Broadcasting, the Royal Academy of Art. We aspire to tell our stories at a comparable scale. And with a surpassing level of quality. The Head of Editorial reports to the Global Head of Content and is based in our New York office.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assign, edit, and publish articles appearing on Sothebys.com. Our goal is to help a qualified audience understand and appreciate the art and luxury space, and make purchasing decisions accordingly. Story types include:
- Articles highlighting forthcoming auctions and buy-now marketplace opportunities
- Articles highlighting evergreen topics of interest in the worlds of art and luxury (e.g. How to Collect Rolex)
- Articles highlighting cultural trends that somehow have a Sotheby’s angle (e.g. Saltburn , quiet luxury)
- Articles reporting auction results and analyzing market trends
- Manage the editorial calendar for the New York, London, and Paris offices, which comprise hundreds of auctions and selling exhibitions per year.
- Orchestrate the weekly Sotheby’s Selects email newsletter. Report on performance and – in partnership with our Growth team –optimize future newsletters accordingly.
- Build, line-edit and proofread these articles in our Content Management System (CMS).
- Implement our SEO strategy, which may include managing junior writers focused on search.
- Distill departmental goals into Editorial strategies with measurable performance results. Achieve monthly, quarterly, and annual performance metrics based on those strategies – reporting on your progress along the way.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships, based on trust and mutual respect, with fine art and luxury specialists.
- Assist with copywriting across organization as needed, including print collateral, in-gallery material, and auction scripts.
- Partner with the Head of Editorial, Asia to ensure a unified editorial strategy.
- Partner with Video, Social, Photography and other departments to ensure a unified content strategy.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- 8+ years of experience demonstrating superb writing and editing skills. While this is primarily an editing role, you should be able and willing (and excited!) to write when needed.
- Deep knowledge of the fine-art and/or luxury worlds. At least one is mandatory. Both are preferred.
- Experience commissioning, budgeting and managing an extensive network of freelance writers, curators, and other art/luxury experts who can contribute to our website.
- Confident pitch and presentation skills.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical and quantitative skills. Ability to synthesize findings into tangible actions that help drive business outcomes.
- Strong organizational skills. A demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and lead complex projects with a high degree of ambiguity.
- Eagerness to experiment with emerging technologies.
- Fundamental visual layout skills –understanding where photos should go and how captions should read
- Mastery of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
- Fluency with:
- Content Management Systems (CMS)
- Analytics tools (e.g. Adobe Analytics, Google Analytics)
- Google Suite (e.g. Docs, Sheets)
- Ability to work onsite Monday through Thursday.
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in art history, journalism, English, communications, or related field.
- A quick wit, a sense of humor, a boundless creativity, and a strong point of view.
The proposed base salary for this position ranges from $100,000-$135,000. In addition to base salary successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, as well as a competitive benefits package. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered.
To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please click here .
To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please click here .
The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.
Apply for this job
*
indicates a required field
First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Phone *
Resume/CV *
Enter manually
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf
Education
School * Select…
Degree * Select…
Select…
End date month Select…
End date year
Current company *
Have you previously worked/do you currently work for Sotheby\’s? *
I am a current Sotheby’s employee
I am currently in Sotheby\’s Associates Program
I am a former Sotheby’s employee
I have never been employed by Sotheby\’s
If yes, please provide estimated dates you were employed
LinkedIn Profile
Website
How did you hear about this opportunity? *
If you heard about this opportunity from a Sotheby\’s employee, who referred you?
Are you authorized to work in the country in which this job is offered? * Select…
Will you now or in the future require Sotheby\’s sponsorship to continue or extend your current work authorization status? * Select…
Select…
Are you Latinx or Hispanic? * Select…
Please identify your race * Select…
If two or more races, please check those that apply
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Editorial, North America & Europe New York, United States employer: Sotheby’s group
Contact Detail:
Sotheby’s group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Editorial, North America & Europe New York, United States
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the art and luxury sectors. Attend industry events, exhibitions, and auctions to meet potential colleagues and mentors who can provide insights into Sotheby’s culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Sotheby’s editorial style and content. Read their articles and newsletters to understand the tone and topics they cover, which will help you align your ideas with their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your knowledge of SEO and analytics tools. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully implemented these strategies in previous roles, as this is crucial for optimising content performance at Sotheby’s.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've managed teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to coordinate with various departments, as collaboration is key in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Editorial, North America & Europe New York, United States
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in editorial roles, particularly in art and luxury sectors. Emphasise your writing and editing skills, as well as any experience with SEO and content management systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for art and luxury. Discuss your understanding of Sotheby’s mission and how your background aligns with the role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage editorial teams and projects.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Include samples of your writing or links to published articles that showcase your style and expertise in the art and luxury fields. This is crucial for demonstrating your capability as both a writer and an editor.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role involves working with various departments, emphasise any past experiences where you successfully collaborated with teams such as marketing, social media, or photography. This will show your ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sotheby’s group
✨Showcase Your Writing Skills
As the Head of Editorial, your writing and editing skills are paramount. Prepare samples of your best work that demonstrate your ability to craft engaging narratives about art and luxury. Be ready to discuss your writing process and how you approach different types of content.
✨Demonstrate Industry Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with current trends in the art and luxury markets. Be prepared to discuss recent auction results, notable artists, and emerging trends. This will show your passion for the industry and your ability to connect Sotheby’s offerings with broader cultural conversations.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Discussions
This role requires strong collaboration with various departments. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully worked with teams, especially in editorial or content creation. Highlight your experience in managing relationships with writers and specialists in the field.
✨Understand SEO and Analytics
Since the role involves implementing SEO strategies, brush up on your knowledge of SEO best practices and analytics tools. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used data to inform content decisions in the past and how you plan to optimise content for Sotheby’s audience.