Client Services Administrator, NY

Bonhams & Butterfields Auctioneers Corporation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

PTO 20 days

Holidays 12 days

Parental leave 16 weeks

401(k)

Life insurance

Disability

Tuition reimbursement

Commuter benefits

EAP

Professional development

Job summary

Bonhams in New York seeks a proactive Client Services Administrator to deliver an exceptional client experience while supporting day-to-day operations of an international auction house. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of client-facing experience, outstanding attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Mandarin language skills are a plus; occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant client-facing work experience.
• Fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines.
• Great attention to detail.
• Excellent communication with clients and internal departments.
• Interest and knowledge of art history and art market.
• Fluency in Mandarin is preferred.
• Flexibility to cover evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for client inquiries via phone, email, and in person.
• Manage front-of-house operations and welcome visitors.
• Support auction administration, including bidder registration, bid entry, and account maintenance.
• Process payments and cashier transactions.
• Maintain client records and documentation with KYC compliance.
• Coordinate with Operations, Shipping, Finance and Specialists to resolve inquiries.
• Provide shipping and collection guidance and coordinate post-sale logistics.
• Handle client escalations and complex service issues.
• Monitor shared inboxes and call queues to maintain service levels.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new team members and maintain training materials.
• Maintain awareness of auction schedules and policies.
• Assist with previews, events, and offsite sales, including evenings and weekends.

Skills

Client facing

Communication

Attention to detail

Customer service

Multi-tasking

MS Office

Outlook

Database software

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Database software

Job description

About Bonhams

Bonhams is a global auction house with an 18th century heritage poised for transformative change. Our global operations are based in London, Paris, New York,Los Angeles and Hong Kong where we sell in over 60 categories, including motor cars, paintings, jewelry, and entertainment memorabilia.

Our employees are passionate about their work, and we pride ourselves on a bespoke approach that aims to make every client feel important. It is an exciting time for our business and our global leadership team of art world professionals are now ready to for a People focused team to help them develop their talent strategy, strengthen our people brand globally, build organizational capability and drive process improvement.

Bonhams is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Client Services Administrator to join our New York team on a full-time basis. This fast-paced, highly visible role is responsible for delivering an exceptional client experience while supporting the day-to-day operations of an international auction house.

The ideal candidate is a positive, solutions-oriented professional who thrives in a dynamic environment, manages competing priorities with confidence, and communicates effectively with both clients and colleagues. As a key member of the Client Services team, you will serve as a primary point of contact for client inquiries and auction administration, partnering with specialists and operational departments to ensure a seamless experience throughout buyer’s journey with Bonhams.

Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, sound judgment, and a commitment to delivering outstanding service. The successful candidate will enjoy working collaboratively, solving problems, and building trusted relationships with clients while contributing to the success of the wider team.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for client inquiries via phone, email, and in person, delivering professional andandtimely support

• Manage front-of-house operations, ensuring visitors are welcomed and directed appropriately

• Support auction administration, including bidder registration, bid entry, account maintenance, and sale-related inquiries

• Process payments andcashiering transactions accuratelyin accordance with company procedures

• Maintain client records and documentation, ensuring compliance with KYC and internal policies

• Coordinate with Operations, Shipping, Finance, and Specialist departments to resolve client inquiries andfacilitate successful post-sale outcomes

• Provide shipping and collection guidance to clients and coordinate post-sale logisticsas required

• Handle client escalations and complex service issues, ensuringtimely resolution and clear communication

• Monitor shared inboxes and call queues,maintainingservice standards and response times

• Support property drop-offs, collections, auction previews, andspecial events as required

• Assistwith onboarding and training of new team members, including the maintenance of training materials and process documentation
• Process incoming mail, deliveries, and general administrative tasks

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and support departmental projects asrequired

• Maintain awareness of auction schedules, company policies, and operational procedures to provideaccurate information to clients

• Assistwith auction previews, events, and offsite sales asrequired, including evening and weekend work and occasional travel to support business operations and deliver an exceptional client experience

In addition to the tasks and responsibilities listed, you may be required to perform other duties as assigned by your manager.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant client-facing work experience

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing deadlines

• Great attention to detail

• Consistent and proactive communication with clients and internal departments

• Excellent demonstration of first-class customer service skills and experience dealing with a diverse range of people

• Possess an interest and thorough knowledge of art history and art market

• Proficiencyin Microsoft and Outlook programs and database software

• Must be flexible to cover a fluid and growing sales schedule, inclusive of evenings and weekends

Addition Desired Qualities

• Possess a genuine interest and thorough knowledge of art history and art market

• Foreign language(s) a plus
• Fluency in Mandarin is preferred

What We Offer

In addition to an active and progressive work environment, Bonhams offers a competitive benefits package to encourage work/life balance, including:

• Excellent medical, dental and vision insurance – HMO, EPO, PPO with FSA and HSA

• 20 days paid time off (PTO)

• 12 paid holidays and holiday break from Christmas to New Years Day

• 16 weeks fully paid parental leave (after one year) and flexible work arrangements

• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution

• Life insurance with AD & D

• Short- and long-term disability

• Tuition reimbursement

• Commuter benefits (transit and parking)

• Employee assistance program (EAP)

• Professional development: free online training and expansive content library

• Employee resource groups: social club, diversity committee, mentorship program

• Sponsored socials: annual staff art exhibition, annual summer and holiday parties, monthly birthday treats, weekly breakfast

Bonhams participates in E-Verify.

Applicants who best match the position needs will be contacted.

$22.00 hourly