Head of Private Sales, Handbags

Sotheby's, a historic house founded in 1744, connects collectors with outstanding works of art and luxury items through auctions, private transactions and retail channels. Within its Luxury Division, the Handbags segment is looking for a Head of Private Sales who will steer the creation, sourcing, development and completion of discreet sales of high‑value handbags. In this senior commercial position the incumbent will be tasked with expanding the flow of private deals by identifying and courting ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals, dealers, advisors and other market players. Daily duties include generating a steady pipeline of opportunities, negotiating terms, and closing transactions while leveraging Sotheby's worldwide network and proprietary technology. The role also requires close cooperation with Private‑Sales Strategy, Client Development and specialist teams to align client priorities, devise action plans and uncover cross‑selling possibilities. Responsibilities extend to pricing and valuation discussions, accurate documentation of client interactions in internal systems, and the strategic shifting of assets between auction and private channels to optimise outcomes for both clients and the firm. The posting does not specify any mandatory qualifications, years of experience, language levels, certifications or licences. No explicit educational background or prior job titles are required according to the information provided. Beyond the core duties, the position offers the chance to influence Sotheby's market footprint in the handbag arena and to help shape growth initiatives for the luxury sector. The role is based at the newly opened global headquarters in the iconic Breuer building on Madison Avenue, New York, and operates within a collaborative environment that spans 40 countries. The successful leader will act as a brand ambassador, representing Sotheby's at fairs, exhibitions and industry gatherings, while also contributing to content, social media and thought‑leadership projects that raise the profile of the Handbags division. This setting provides exposure to a broad network of collectors and the ability to drive both personal and organisational advancement.