Program Director, MA in Art Business

About the role

The Program Director of the MA in Art Business (MAAB) will lead SIA’s graduate program in Art Business, offered both in-person and online. As the MA program’s academic and strategic leader, the Program Director will promote excellence, expand the program’s reach, and guide an innovative curriculum that reflects the evolving global art market.

The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise and recognized authority in the field of art business, demonstrated through a distinguished academic and/or industry record and significant higher-education experience. They will be an enthusiastic and engaged educator with exceptional administrative skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a robust network of professional connections to support the program’s success.

The Program Director will report to the Director of the Institute, and will be a key member of the Institute’s academic leadership, responsible for overseeing a graduate-level program while contributing to the broader academic and professional life of the Institute.

Responsibilities

• serving as academic leader of the MA in Art Business for in-person and online programs
• strengthening the program’s academic profile and reinforcing its reputation as a leader in the field
• teaching on the MA in Art Business and other programs at the Institute, as needed
• establishing strong external relationships with partners and stakeholders whose participation may enhance the program, including guest lecturers
• working closely with the Institute Director and other faculty and staff on Institute-wide curricular review and academic policy and procedure
• reviewing, assessing, overseeing, and making recommendations for ongoing changes and improvements in the curriculum, in coordination with the Institute’s academic goals, and in collaboration with other members of its leadership
• identifying and recruiting potential new faculty members; orienting, mentoring, engaging, and evaluating new and returning faculty; determining, in consultation with the Director, the workload assignment for each faculty member; making assignments for student advisement
• overseeing the assessment (grading and evaluation) processes in accordance with the standards of accreditation entities and the Institute
• overseeing the efficient operation of the Program, and coordinating its operation with that of the other Programs, including, but not limited to: planning the academic calendar and class schedule, developing and managing the Program budget, working closely with and participating in the supervision and evaluation of relevant Program Coordinators
• actively engaging in the recruitment, conversion, and enrollment of applicants, in cooperation with the department of Global Enrollment and Marketing, including participation in events, interviewing potential students, and preparing marketing materials
• contributing to the formulation of institute-wide academic strategy, policy, and procedure
• serving as a member of or to chair Institute committees as requested
• preparing reports, documents, and other materials required as part of the Institute’s obligations to its accreditation entities
• participating in professional organizations and activities as a representative of the Institute, and maintaining strong links with industry professionals on behalf of the Institute
• participating in orientation, graduation, and other Institute events, as needed and identified by the Director
• providing lectures, classes, seminars, and visits as appropriate, and participating in the assessment of student work related to those activities
• serving as dissertation supervisor to an appropriate number of students
• managing the planning of and participating in academic field study trips
• positioning Sotheby’s Institute of Art as a thought leader in the field of art business by organizing events such as seminars, conferences, and panels on relevant subjects
• maintaining a broad knowledge of scholarly research, professional activity, and trends and developments in the field, and actively engaging with the dissemination of this knowledge throughout the wider Institute
• conducting academic research and/or professional activity that is commensurate with both standing as Program Director and as a faculty member of a teaching-intensive institution
• presenting research findings at appropriate venues and contributing fully to the research culture of the Institute, both in teaching methodology and subject specialization

Qualifications

• Terminal degree (PhD or professional equivalent) in a relevant field
• Deep expertise in the art business sector, supported by significant academic and professional experience
• Proven experience in higher-education teaching and curriculum development, ideally with graduate and international students, and a demonstrated commitment to mentorship and collaboration
• Strong record of scholarship, research, and/or thought leadership in art business or a related discipline (such as art market studies, sociology of art, cultural economics, history of collecting, etc.)
• Superior interpersonal and organizational skills with high emotional intelligence. Demonstrates diplomacy, discretion, and tact; communicates clearly and effectively. Exercises sound judgment in managing sensitive and/or complex situations
• Prioritizes and manages competing demands under pressure with efficiency and accuracy. Anticipates challenges and takes proactive action to resolve issues
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence, lead, and engage effectively with stakeholders across and beyond the Institute
• Must be able to report to the 570 Lexington Avenue campus in New York for teaching and program-related activities, with flexibility to work extended hours when necessary to meet institutional priorities and deadlines