Department Assistant, Design (Temporary)

00170 Christie's Inc Company; New York (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Christie’s, the world’s largest art business, seeks a Department Assistant, Design (Temporary) in New York. You will support the Specialist team with research on artists and artworks for upcoming auctions, perform cataloging input, and assist with image editing and caption development.

The role involves handling items with care for client deliveries and coordinating schedules. The ideal candidate is an undergraduate or within a year of graduation, excels in Excel, and can work in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Hard-working, energetic, and intellectually curious self-starter who can thrive in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Multitasks and manages several projects at a given time.
• Prioritizes and meets all deadlines.
• Proficiency in Excel, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, MATCH formulas, and macros is a plus.
• Additional language skills desirable but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Research works for upcoming sales using Christie’s onsite libraries and NY public libraries.
• Assist cataloguers at Rockefeller Center and Red Hook warehouses; input information into Christie’s databases.
• Support the proposal preparation process and assist with image editing and caption documents for designers.
• Assist with arranging collection items for delivery to clients and support auction previews.

Skills

Excel

Communication skills

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Tools

Pivot Tables

VLOOKUP

MATCH formulas

Macros

Job description

Department Assistant, Design (Temporary) 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 our more Operational focused teams we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this over 250 year old company, steeped in history, bringing constant innovation whilst not forgetting our age old values; Respect, Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgement & Innovation. Colleagues across all departments are passionate about what they do and it is constantly inspiring to work with industry leaders across all segments of the business.

Why this role matters

The primary function of this role is to support the Specialist team with researching the artists and the artworks that will be sold at auctions. Responsibilities vary and follow the sale calendar. We are looking for an enthusiastic, ambitious person who has an appetite to learn in a fast paced, arts focused environment.

How you will make an impact

• Research works for upcoming sales – including both traditional research, using Christie’s onsite libraries, as well as venturing to public libraries in New York City.
• Forms of online research using auction databases and other internet resources relevant as well.
• Assist with provenance, exhibition history and literary research.
• Assist cataloguers at our Rockefeller Center warehouse and Red Hook Brooklyn warehouse.
• Responsible for copyright clearance of images as they relate to sales and catlog production.
• Input information and edits to Christie's databases.
• Support the proposal preparation process.
• Assit with collection and delivery of bespoke items to clients homes – this requires ability to handle items with care and discretion of Christie's top patrons.
• Assist with installing for auction previews.
• Maintain the department library and consignor files.
• Respond to inquiries from clients for condition reports, images and fact sheets.
• Assist with the general auction production process by editing images, writing short texts as needed, formatting detailed caption documents for designers.
• Manage scheduling including meetings and offsite travel on behalf of specialists.
• Reconcile and submit corporate card expenses for approval using internal systems.
• Compose and edit client communications as required.
• Assist specialists with managinging client relationships including meeting arrangements, mailing, correspondence and action point for follow-up visits.
• Answer and screen incoming telephone calls.
• Greet clients on behalf of business getter.
• General administrative tasks as assigned by line manager.

What you'll bring to the team

• Hard-working, energetic, and intellectually curious self-starter who can thrive in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Multi-tasks and manages several projects at a given time.
• Priotizes and meets all deadlines.
• Works collaboratively across multiple groups and sites.
• Remains calm in stressful situations and creatively problem solves.
• Strong follow-up and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Excel, including familiarity with Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, match formulas, and macros are a plus.
• Additional language skills are desirable, however not mandatory.

Candidates must be undergraduate students, master’s students, or within one year of graduation from University; either undergraduate or masters

Christie’s, Inc. is committed to principles of equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

To this end, Christie’s Inc. ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status or liability status for service in the United States Armed Forces.

*Posted salary range does not include discretionary overtime pay.

Closing Date: November 18th, 2026

Compensation Range Hourly: $22.00 - $24.00

Christie’s is the world’s leading art business. Since 1766, we are known for our extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Every year, we offer around 350 live and online auctions in over 80 specialist categories – including all areas of fine and decorative arts, Asian art and luxury collectables – as well as a long and successful history of private sales.

Contact us in 46 countries, or visit one of our 10 international salerooms in London, New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich and Shanghai.

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