Head of Proposals, EMEA

Christie's; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading art business in Greater London seeks a Senior Manager for the EMEA Proposals team. The role involves managing a team, driving strategic vision, and overseeing complex proposals to enhance competitive edge. Ideal candidates will have extensive managerial experience within the arts, strong financial acumen, and proven communication skills. This position offers opportunities to work with a passionate team and access to world-renowned art, alongside comprehensive benefits including generous leave and medical insurance.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave

Discretionary Bonus

Private Health Insurance

Qualifications

• Demonstrable managerial experience within the arts and culture industry preferably at an Auction House.
• Financial management & budgeting experience.
• Experience in delivering and managing high value client pitches.

Responsibilities

• Manage the London team and hold regular departmental meetings.
• Write and manage complex proposals and presentations.
• Ensure that evolving corporate messaging and branding is incorporated into proposals.

Skills

Managerial experience in arts and culture

Financial management

High value client pitches

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

5-10 years of senior management experience

Tools

FileMaker

InDesign (Adobe Creative Suite)

Job description

The Company

Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments, or in one of our more Operational teams, we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 250 year old company, steeped in history, bringing fresh ideas whilst not forgetting our shared values; Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility & Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is inspiring to work with industry leaders across our business.

Why This Role Matters

This role is pivotal to Christie's success because it is instrumental in bringing high profile sales and new business to the brand.The position drives the strategic vision and operational excellence of the EMEA Proposals team.By aligning with corporate objectives, the position ensures that every proposal is designed to communicate to the client, reflecting Christie's brand, specialist expertise business acumen and creative marketing ideas Leading a multidisciplinary team of writers, designers, and administrators, this role guarantees that high-value pitches and projects are delivered on time, to the highest standard, and with creative impact. Ultimately, it strengthens Christie's competitive edge in securing business opportunities and reinforces our reputation for quality and innovation across the global art market.

How You'll Make an Impact

Team Management

• Manage the team in London, holding regular departmental and direct report meetings; managing mid-year and full-year performance reviews

• Co-ordinate a high volume work flow for the London team and ensuring all deadlines are met.

• Manage Proposals EMEA budget

• Recruit, train and coach team as necessary

Leadership and Strategy

• Set departmental strategy (in co-ordination with Head of Marketing, EMEA) and ensure objectives are met

• Support European offices in business-getting using judgment to allocate resources appropriately

• Manage the smooth running of the department, dealing with any issues that arise and ensuring standards of excellence are maintained

• Write and manage major, complex proposals and presentations to tight deadlines to win business, working closely with specialists, senior management and marketing/financial representatives throughout the process

• Build internal relationships are strong with colleagues across the business (including wider Marketing, Specialist teams, Press, Client Strategy and Business Intelligence)

• Work closely and align with Regional Proposal Heads

• Support and Develop a team of proposal writers in both the structuring and project management of proposals.

• Ensure that evolving corporate messaging and branding is incorporated into proposals

• Supervise development of proposal content including statistical information, marketing and market information each season

• Instigate Seasonal Reviews with specialist departments

• Working with graphic design and writing teams to continuously innovate proposals format and content; be proactive in conceiving and pushing forward these plans

Financial management and reporting

• Ensure that the London team is cost-aware when discussing the proposal design and production with specialists and that the amount spent on a project is based on its potential value to Christie’s

• Review budgets with Business Manager/Finance Business Partner regularly

• Review weekly activity reports using FileMaker software.
  Prepare half year and full year reports for senior management.

What you’ll bring to the team

• Demonstrable managerial experience within the arts and culture industry preferably at an Auction House

• Financial management & budgeting experience

• Experience in delivering and managing high value client pitches

• 5-10 years’ experience in a Senior management position.

• Proven management of a highly thriving team

• Ability to work well under pressure

• Proven track record of working closely with C Suite Executives.

• Experience delivering pitches and desirable experience of using Figma slides.

• Strong management and communication skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and influence colleagues at senior level

• Clear sense of personal accountability

• Good team player but with ability to work well independently

• Highly organised, with ability to prioritise and delegate when necessary

• Excellent attention to detail

• Commitment to producing work of an excellent standard to tight deadlines

• Excellent, proven writing skills

• Keen analytical and numeracy skills

• Strong strategic thinker

• Strong creative. Ability to work with a tight graphic design team and produce beautiful concepts

• Energy and commitment to work the hours necessary to meet deadlines

• Interest in Art History and the art market

• Good knowledge of Macs and publishing software including InDesign. (Adobe Creative Suite)

What’s great about working for us

• 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave

• Christie’s Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 1st Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family

• Additional 1 week’s annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on

• Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that’s important to you

• Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about

• Flexible Fitness Fund - £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable)

• Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues

• Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year)

• Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie’s)

• Private Health Insurance: no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members (taxable)

• Dental Insurance: (may be extended at personal cost)

• Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months of employment

• Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day

• Employee Assistance Programme: access to personal advice and support services including counselling

• Eyecare vouchers (once a year)

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Christie’s Extras: discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops

• Seniorcare by Lottie: a comprehensive eldercare solution

• Robust family first policy:

• 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave

• Family-friendly return to work: 80% work at full-pay for eight weeks post-Maternity leave to ease you back into work

• Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year

• Christie’s Family Network: Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…

*Christie’s reserves the right to change company benefits at any time

Closing Date: 4th January

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