Senior Specialist, Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art, London

SOTHEBY'S; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading auction house in London is looking for a Specialist in Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art. This role involves sourcing, cataloguing, and selling art in live and online auctions. Ideal candidates should have over 8 years in the field, strong client relationships, and expertise in art history. Responsibilities include collaborating with teams internationally, client outreach, and maintaining high standards of scholarship in research and cataloguing. The position demands exceptional communication skills and a proactive approach to business development.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art.
• Proven ability to evaluate works and manage cataloguing assignments.
• Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Source, catalogue, and sell works for Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art sales.
• Cultivate relationships with collectors and institutions to ensure exceptional client service.
• Support the execution of sales including marketing and exhibition oversight.

Skills

Client relationship management

Business development

Art historical expertise

Strong communication

Project management

Education

Scholarly training in Art History or related field

Job description

The Specialist, Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art, plays an integral role in sourcing, cataloguing, and selling works across Sotheby's London and New York Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art sales, inclusive of live auctions, online auctions, and private sales. The role combines deep subject‑matter expertise, rigorous scholarship, and strong client‑facing skills with proactive business development and operational excellence. The Specialist will work closely with colleagues across EMEA, US and globally to cultivate consignments, steward clients, and contribute to the strategic growth and visibility of the Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art category, becoming an active member of Sotheby's global specialist community.,

• Proactively identify, source, and secure works forModern and Contemporary South Asian Art sales, developing coherent and dynamic business‑getting strategies in partnership with colleagues across London, EMEA, and global teams.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with collectors, advisors, institutions, fiduciaries, and key market stakeholders, ensuring exceptional client service and loyalty.
• Participate in valuation projects and proposal development, evaluating property at Sotheby's and at client locations, including international travel as appropriate.
• Help drive private‑sale opportunities alongside auction consignments, identifying key selling points and supporting targeted, proactive outreach.
• Meet individual consignment and revenue goals, contributing meaningfully to annual sales, private‑sale targets, and departmental strategic objectives.
• Provide high‑level expertise in Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art, ensuring the highest scholarly standards in cataloguing, research, and contextualization of works.
• Oversee or contribute to the cataloguing process, including research, catalogue entries, essays, provenance work, condition reporting, and catalog production and layout.
• Partner with internal and external scholars to strengthen expertise and accuracy; uphold rigorous research and editorial standards that align with Sotheby's global criteria.
• Support full sale execution, including exhibition oversight, pre‑sale client walkthroughs, client communication, and competitive bidding support during live auctions.
• Help track client interest, communicate activity to the wider specialist team, and actively "sell the sale" during exhibition and preview periods.
• Ensure proactive and accurate management of consignment‑related costs, including terms, deal margins, marketing, logistics, loans, and other financial elements.
• Liaise with Photography, Marketing, Press, Proposals, Registrations, and Operations to ensure seamless sale preparation from intake through settlement.
• Maintain departmental archives, research materials, and library resources, ensuring their continued accuracy, accessibility, and strategic use.
• Support the Heads of Department with coordination of departmental priorities, internal communication, and implementation of new initiatives.
• Coordinate information flow between the department, internal partners, and the Head of Department, ensuring clarity and smooth execution of daily operations.
• Prepare estimate requests, NSVs, and client correspondence at a professional standard
• Liaise with Marketing and Press teams to support social media, digital visibility, and audience engagement for the category.
• Assist with highlight exhibition organization, promotional activity, and the movement and tracking of property in collaboration with the Department Coordinator and Administrator.
• Serve as a collaborative partner to colleagues in adjacent departments, contributing to the broader regional and global ecosystem of specialists.
• Serve as a role model of scholarship, client service, and professional conduct within the Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art department.
• Support the development and mentorship of cataloguers, coordinators, and junior colleagues, offering guidance in research practices, cataloguing methods, and sale process management.
• Uphold the highest standards of Sotheby's corporate governance, compliance, ethics, and client confidentiality in every interaction.
  8+ years of experience in Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art through an auction house, gallery, museum, or private dealership.
• Scholarly training in Art History or a related field, with demonstrated expertise and a sustained engagement in Modern and Contemporary Indian & South Asian Art.
  Proven ability to evaluate works, produce polished research, and manage cataloguing assignments with precision and authority.
  Strong working knowledge of the full auction cycle, including valuations, consignments, catalogue production, sale execution, and private sales.
  Demonstrated success in building and servicing high‑level client relationships.
  Strong business acumen with a track record in business‑getting or a demonstrable aptitude for developing new business.
  Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey scholarly insight clearly and persuasively to clients and colleagues.
  Highly organized, deadline‑driven, and composed under pressure, with the ability to prioritize effectively across multiple workstreams.
  Collaborative, flexible, and team‑oriented, with a willingness to "pitch in" as needed.
  Fluent English required; additional European languages are beneficial.
  Unquestionable integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to high professional standards.
• Established in 1744, Sotheby's is the world's premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby's promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy‑now channels including private sales, e‑commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry‑leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby's believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.