Specialist, British Drawings, Watercolours and Old Master Drawings

Christie's; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading auction house in Greater London is seeking an experienced specialist to source British Drawings and Watercolours for global auctions and private sales. This role demands a minimum of 10 years' experience alongside a Bachelor's degree in Art History or Decorative Arts. Key responsibilities include building relationships with consignors, overseeing cataloguing, and contributing to auction strategies. Competitive benefits offered, including a generous annual leave package, private health insurance, and retirement contributions.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave

Christmas office closure

Flexible Fitness Fund

Private Health Insurance

Generous retirement plan

Discretionary Bonus

Volunteering day

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in field of expertise.
• Demonstrated ability in appraising property and business-getting with high-level clients.
• Exceptional client service skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop business contacts and strategic opportunities globally.
• Identify and maintain relationships with collectors, dealers, and institutions.
• Oversee cataloguing and catalogue lots when required.

Skills

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Negotiation skills

Research skills

Project management

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Art History or Decorative Arts equivalent

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

Use specialist expertise to source British Drawings & Watercolours consignments for the global auctions and private sales. Responsible for maintaining consignment and buying activity and ensuring a healthy pipeline of new business for the British. Drawings & Watercolours department. When required support the Old Master Drawings department with UK business. Build and maintain relationships with consignors and buyers.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Develop business contacts and strategic opportunities, including developing auction and private sale strategies globally

• Identify and maintain relationships with collectors, dealers and institutions

• Participate in deal making and ensure the right people are involved and fully briefed

• Oversee the junior members of the department and partner with the Business Manager to ensure their development is managed

• Participate in departmental hilling sessions

• Oversee cataloguing and catalogue lots when required for the global sales and produce condition reports

• Write and prepare catalogue essays

• Contribute to the curation of sale catalogues e.g. production and layout

• Participate in pre‑selling upcoming auctions

• Be a key leader in activities that support the smooth running of sales e.g. interest meetings, supporting the view, any exhibition requirements and post‑sale debriefs

• Provide subject matter expertise on pricing, valuations, cataloguing, researching etc.

• Share own expertise for development of junior colleagues

• Use own specialist expertise (writing articles, lecturing etc.) to maintain and grow Christie’s presence in the market, grow its market awareness and create competitive advantage

• Function as liaison with Estates, Appraisals & Valuations and Heritage & Taxation

• Act as client liaison and provide reactive support for London valuations and proposals for Old Master Drawings

• Other duties as assigned by Manager

What you’ll bring to the team

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History or Decorative Arts equivalent

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in field of expertise

• Be attentive to detail and capable of working with a dynamic international team

• Commercial and business awareness and ability to market to a sophisticated audience

• Demonstrated ability in appraising property and business‑getting with high level clients

• Demonstrative sale expertise, transactional capability, keen negotiator

• Excellent communications skills and interpersonal skills

• Exceptional client service skills

• Strong organisational skills with an ability to work to tight deadlines

• Research skills including analysis and interpretation of data

• Project management skills

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

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

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

• 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:

Ø 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave

Ø Eligible to return to work for 80% of your agreed normal weekly working pattern while being paid as though you were working 100%, post a minimum of 16 weeks of leave

Ø Dependent back‑up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year

Ø 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: Sunday 8th February

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