Head of Career Services

United Kingdom — International Student Market

654K inbound students (2024) +0%

1. India 169K

2. China 152K

4. United States 36K

5. Pakistan 31K

14 international branch campuses in United Kingdom

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.

Courses at Sotheby’s Institute are structured with the guiding principle that education is gained in the classroom, but equally important is hands‑on experience and situational context. Institute faculty are experts and leaders in their fields, bringing a wealth of practical knowledge from their professional experiences as well as a solid academic grounding to all students.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art is owned by Edconic, an organisation that partners with prestigious companies to deliver relevant, experiential learning programmes taught by industry experts from the world’s best brands. As well as Sotheby’s Institute of Art, the Edconic portfolio currently includes Vogue College of Fashion, The School of The New York Times, Manchester City Sports Business School and WIRED Education. Edconic’s academic programmes range from pre-college to master’s degrees with campuses in New York, London, Madrid and Online, and partnerships in Seoul and Beijing.

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. Based in London, thisposition will lead a small team and report to the Director.

The Head of Careers will be committed to offering an outstanding service to our students and be passionately committed to student success. Student-focused and an excellent communicator, they will also be able todemonstrate knowledge of the workings of recruitment in the art and luxury sectors. They will also have a strong and current knowledge of these sectors as well as a related professional network which they will leverage for industry partnerships and employment opportunities. They will also support student recruitment and conversation through admissions engagement and institutional representation and communication.

Employability outcomes are at the centre of the Institute’s mission, and this exciting opportunity allows scope for shaping and enhancing a dynamic service at the heart of our community.

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, leveraging contacts where possible.




• 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, alongside Sotheby’s Institute of Art New York, 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 (participating in Open Days and various meetings).




• Work with marketing team on promotional content for Sotheby’s Institute highlighting careers opportunities and Careers Service.




• Support student recruitment and conversion.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an individual undertaking this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and skills, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the post.

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




• Second language skills

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




• 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. This includes virtual GP, nurse and physio appointments, confidential counselling, legal and financial advice, a digital gym, nutrition and wellbeing resources, meditation, and a benefits hub




• Access to courses within the Edconic online course portfolio free of charge




• Employee and family discounts on all Edconic courses




• Discount for gym membership




• Access to a comprehensive e-learning platform




• Enhanced maternity and sickness payment benefits (after qualifying period)