Senior Handbag Specialist – Luxury Auctions & Private Sales

Sotheby's International; Abu Dhabi, Dubai; On-site; AED 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotheby’s in the United Arab Emirates seeks experienced professionals to lead client outreach and drive auction and private sale activity across the Middle East. You will inspect items, authenticate properties, and collaborate with marketing teams to promote auctions and marketplace initiatives.

The role emphasizes relationship-building with bidders and buyers, accurate pricing, and coordination with internal teams to ensure exceptional client experiences across regional and European markets.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing client portfolios and driving sales.
• Experience as a handbag authenticator and valuer.
• Experience in auction house, ecommerce or second-hand luxury shop.
• Minimum five years of professional experience within 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 across the region and contributing to selling European locations and Buy-Now Marketplace.
• Drive Private Sale activity within region including organizing Private Sale exhibitions in the Middle East.
• Inspect and authenticate properties in the Middle East.
• Collaborate with Head of Department and Marketing teams to promote Auctions and Marketplace initiatives.
• Outreach to auction bidders and buyers to build relationships.
• Provide pricing, terms of consignments, and other deal-specific information to consignors.

Skills

Client relationship management

Art & luxury goods knowledge

English (fluency)

Arabic language

Negotiation skills

Market analysis

Ethical compliance

Team collaboration

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Google Suite

Job description

Sotheby’s in the United Arab Emirates seeks experienced professionals to lead client outreach and drive auction and private sale activity across the Middle East. You will inspect items, authenticate properties, and collaborate with marketing teams to promote auctions and marketplace initiatives.

The role emphasizes relationship-building with bidders and buyers, accurate pricing, and coordination with internal teams to ensure exceptional client experiences across regional and European markets.