Director of Digital Marketing at Freeman's Auction House – Chicago, Illinois

Company Culture

At Freeman’s we believe that people are enriched and energized when they are surrounded with objects of significance and meaning. Freeman’s is one of the leading and fastest growing fine art auction houses in the U.S. Our values are evident in how we approach the marketplace, providing unmatched service, a focus on excellence, and holding the utmost respect for our clients and the items we steward. As a globally recognized brand, we conduct over 100 auctions each year for everything from contemporary paintings and fine jewelry to French furniture and rare books. With six salerooms in Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, New York, Palm Beach, and Philadelphia, we stay locally relevant while passionately catering to our global sellers and buyers.

Position Summary

The Director of Digital Marketing is responsible for leading Freeman’s end-to-end digital marketing ecosystem in service of three core objectives: strengthening Freeman’s brand, driving auction participation and sales, and generating high-quality consignments. This role serves as the strategic owner of all digital channels and platforms, ensuring they work together cohesively to deliver measurable growth, increased personalization, and strong return on investment.

Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer, the Director of Digital Marketing will oversee the content, performance, and ongoing evolution of the Freeman’s website in partnership with external design and development agencies and the Technology Department. They will lead digital planning and execution across email, paid and organic social media, search, and other digital advertising channels, using data and first-party customer insights to optimize performance and client experience.

This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on accountability for digital investment, analytics, and reporting. The Director will manage and develop a small, high-impact team, including a Digital Marketing Manager and a Junior Social Media Creator.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead Freeman’s digital marketing strategy across all channels, ensuring alignment with brand positioning, auction priorities, and business goals.
• Serve as primary owner of the Freeman’s website, including content strategy, user experience, performance optimization, and long-term platform evolution in collaboration with external design and development partners.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and optimization of digital campaigns across email, paid and organic social media, search, and other digital advertising channels. Coordinate and give direction to media agency.
• Manage the HubSpot marketing platform, leveraging first-party customer data to drive segmentation, personalization, and lifecycle marketing initiatives.
• Establish clear ROI frameworks for all digital investments and deliver monthly KPI reporting and performance insights to marketing leadership.
• Lead SEO strategy, including technical SEO, content optimization, and adaptation to evolving consumer search behavior and the growing influence of AI-driven search experiences (GEO).
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders (Marketing, Specialists, Business Development, Technology, Client Services) to ensure digital efforts support auction sales and consignment development.
• Manage, mentor, and develop the Digital Marketing Manager and Junior Social Media Creator, setting clear priorities, performance expectations, and professional growth plans.
• Stay current on digital marketing trends, emerging platforms, and best practices, translating insights into actionable recommendations for the business.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
• 5–8+ years of progressive digital marketing experience, with demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience owning and optimizing complex websites in partnership with external agencies. Working knowledge of marketing-tech stacks.
• Deep expertise in SEO, digital advertising, email marketing, and social media performance management.
• Hands-on experience managing marketing automation and CRM platforms, preferably HubSpot.
• Strong track record of managing digital budgets, measuring ROI, and delivering data-driven insights.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing digital marketing teams.
• Experience in art auction house or luxury industry digital marketing a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to balance brand stewardship with performance-driven marketing objectives.

Skills

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong client service orientation with professionalism and discretion.
• Detail-oriented with excellent follow-up, multitasking, and time management abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word and Excel).
• Able to thrive in fast-paced environments, work under pressure, and meet strict deadlines.
• Highly motivated and eager to contribute to a dynamic team.

Values

• Excellence: Setting the standard in auction and appraisal services through expertise and meticulous attention to detail.
• Integrity: Upholding honesty and transparency in all interactions with clients, partners, and colleagues.
• Judgment: Incorporating experience, empathy, and integrity to always deliver client centric decisions and actions that uphold our brand.
• Collaboration: Working together with our team and clients to achieve shared goals and exceed expectations.
• Responsiveness: Delivering timely and tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of every client.

What We Offer

• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Choose from Medical, Prescription Drug, Vision & Dental Plans (PPO & HDHP options available).
• Generous Paid Time Off.
• 11 Paid Holidays – Enjoy 11 company-paid holidays throughout the year.
• Extended Holiday Office Closure.
• Up to 12 Weeks of Fully Paid Parental Leave.
• Company-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Company-Paid Group Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Physical Needs

• Perform light physical tasks, including lifting and moving items such as boxes, files, and other materials up to 20 pounds, unless otherwise specified.
• Operate standard office equipment proficiently, including phones, computers, copiers, and other commonly used devices or software applications.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal teams and external contacts; sufficient hearing is required for routine interactions.
• Understand and accurately process written materials and documentation.
• Work efficiently in a traditional office environment, including extended periods of sitting, with the flexibility to adapt to various work settings as needed.

Freeman’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Duties listed are a guide and may evolve as the role grows.