Senior Handbag Specialist - Auctions & Private Sales (MEA)

Sotheby's; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotheby’s in the United Arab Emirates seeks a seasoned luxury goods professional to drive client acquisition and sales across the Middle East. You will work with auctions, private sales, and marketplace initiatives, inspecting and authenticating handbags and related assets.

The role requires strong relationship building, regional travel, fluency in English, and knowledge of retail and resale markets for handbags; Arabic and French languages are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Must have proven experience managing client portfolios and driving sales in luxury/auction sectors.
• Experience authenticating handbags and valuing luxury items.
• Experience in auction house, ecommerce or second-hand luxury shop.
• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in GCC region.
• Knowledge of retail and resale markets for luxury handbags and accessories.
• Interest in luxury brands and ecommerce businesses.

Responsibilities

• Business-getting for Auctions in Dubai and region and contributing to major selling European locations and Buy-Now Marketplace.
• Drive Private Sale activity within region including organization of Private Sale exhibitions in Middle East.
• Inspect and authenticate properties in the Middle East.
• Work with Head of department and Marketing teams to promote Auctions and Marketplace initiatives.
• Outreach to auction bidders and buyers to build relationships.
• Outreach to Sotheby’s Relationship Managers to ensure internal awareness of all sales.
• Provide regular analysis of auction data to Head of Department.
• Advise on handbag and accessory product mix for Middle East clientele.
• Provide pricing, terms of consignment, and other deal-specific information to consignors.
• Ensure product photography is executed properly.
• Collaborate with team Administrators and Coordinators for smooth handoffs.
• Participate in regular pipeline meetings to keep Head of Department informed.
• Travel throughout the Middle East and Europe will be required.

Skills

Client portfolio management

Handbag authentication/valuation

Auction house / ecommerce experience

GCC regional experience (5+ years)

Luxury handbags knowledge (retail &Res

Interest in luxury brands & ecommerce

Excellent written and verbal English

Enthusiastic, proactive, flexible

Interpersonal skills, relationship建设

Problem-solving, deadline-driven

Independent & global team work

Confidentiality & discretion

Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and G

Arabic language valued

French language advantageous

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Google Suite

Job description

Sotheby’s in the United Arab Emirates seeks a seasoned luxury goods professional to drive client acquisition and sales across the Middle East. You will work with auctions, private sales, and marketplace initiatives, inspecting and authenticating handbags and related assets.

The role requires strong relationship building, regional travel, fluency in English, and knowledge of retail and resale markets for handbags; Arabic and French languages are highly valued.