Business Development Assistant

Heritage Auctions; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental & Vision

Paid time off

401k plan

Job summary

Heritage Auctions is seeking a Business Development Assistant in Chicago to support gallery events, auction previews, external events, sponsorships, and marketing initiatives. This role emphasizes data management, event coordination, and presentation production, reporting to the EVP Business Development Chicago.

Based in Chicago, you will liaise with corporate HQ to ensure lists and schedules are aligned. The position requires organizational excellence, strong communication, and proficiency with

Qualifications

• High-level organization and multi-tasking skills to balance immediate and long-term projects.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills to engage a diverse team and auction categories.
• Willingness to learn, adapt, and follow standards; able to draft reports and presentations.
• Proficiency with Excel and Microsoft Office; create spreadsheets and data reports.
• Experience with gallery operations, admin support, and coordinating events.

Responsibilities

• Collect and manage data including guest attendance and new customer accounts; liaise with databases and groups at HQ.
• Provide administrative support to maintain client accounts and up-to-date information.
• Coordinate gallery logistics for events and auction previews: signage, A/V, case orders, invitations, catering.
• Communicate with Operations and Consignment Directors to align calendars and roles.
• Assist in planning and overseeing special events and post-event lead tracking and ROI.
• Represent Heritage Auctions at Chicago previews and industry meetings.

Skills

Organization

Communication

Detail-oriented

Adaptability

Team collaboration

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

Adobe Pro

PowerPoint

Canva

Job description

Build your career with Heritage Auctions, the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, Heritage Auctions has spent five decades connecting collectors with extraordinary objects and the stories behind them. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices across the United States and around the world, Heritage serves more than 50 auction categories, including Coins, Sports, Comics, Entertainment, Historical, Jewelry, Fine and Decorative Art, Luxury Accessories, Wine, and many more. Join a collaborative, fast-paced company where curiosity is valued, expertise is celebrated, and every day offers an opportunity to work with remarkable pieces of history and culture.

Job Description:

The Business Development Assistant for Heritage Auctions, supports all gallery events and auction previews, as well as external events, sponsorships and marketing initiatives. Organization, proactive attention to detail, and creativity play equal parts in this role, which includes administrative duties and coordination responsibilities for list and database management, event logistics, and presentation production. This role will be based in Chicago, but responsibilities will include national support, and will report to the EVP Business Development and Director Business Development Chicago.

Location:

222 West Hubbard Street Chicago, IL 60654

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision coverage
• Paid time off
• 401k savings plans

Compensation

$23-25/hr commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities

• Collect and manage data, including guest attendance, new customer accounts and updates, liaising with multiple databases and groups at corporate headquarters to ensure lists are correct and leveraged for future use
• Provide administrative support to maintain client accounts and up-to-date information and data.
• Coordinate gallery logistics for events and auction previews including window signage, A/V support, case orders and delivery, lot card production, invitations and catering
• Communicate with Operations Team and Consignment Directors to ensure calendars are aligned, roles are clear, and gallery logistics for previews and events are smooth
• Assist in the planning and overseeing of special events and outreach campaigns and provide administrative support for post-event lead tracking and ROI on conferences and sponsorships.
• Represent Heritage Auctions in the Chicago gallery by greeting guests at auction previews and special events, as well as at some industry meetings, including but not limited to Trusts & Estates regional conferences or appraisal visits.
• Manage quarterly Business Development reports summarizing activity across the country for executive team distribution
• Work closely with Marketing for mailings and proposals
• Develop presentations with leadership and consignment directors to present at events and conferences

Requirements

Qualifications

• High-level organization skills with ability to calmly prioritize and multi-task while balancing immediate and long-term projects
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills to engage and support a diverse team and auction categories
• Desire to implement hands-on tactical details while also engaging in strategic planning
• Willingness to learn and adapt
• Ability to follow standards, take direction, and propose thoughtful solutions
• Ability to draft reports, presentations, business correspondence, and create Excel spreadsheets.
• Commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality work
• Proficiency in Adobe and Microsoft Suites, with high-level knowledge of Excel, Adobe Pro, PowerPoint and Canva required
• Experience in gallery operations, administrative support, and relationship building
• Bachelor’s degree required

Heritage Auctions welcomes and encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, mature workers, and persons with disabilities. EOE