Department Assistant - Wine, Handbags & Accessories (Temp)

Christie's; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Christie’s in New York is seeking a Department Assistant for the Wine, Handbags & Accessories departments. You will support Specialists and Business Management with consignments, auction prep and exhibitions, while maintaining high professional standards.

The role requires a dynamic problem solver, organizational calm under pressure, and excellent written and spoken communication to vendors, clients, and colleagues across departments. Weekend exhibition work is expected.

Qualifications

• Outstanding client service and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Perform general department administrative tasks.
• Keep data up to date in Christie’s internal systems.
• Research lots for authenticity, bibliography, provenance and exhibition history.
• Respond to client inquiries for condition reports, images and fact sheets.
• Assist Cataloguers with cataloguing and images.
• Assist Sale Coordinators with managing sale logistics and department inventory.
• Support Sale Coordinators and Specialists on exhibitions tasks, including setup and breakdowns.
• Work closely with other specialist departments as needed.
• This role includes working all exhibition dates during Luxury Week, including weekends.

Skills

Client service

Communication

Microsoft Office

Organization

Detail orientation

Teamwork

Long hours

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 Departments or in our Operational focused 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 constant innovation whilst not forgetting our age old values; Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgement & Innovation. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is constantly inspiring to work with industry leaders across all segments of the business.

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 Departments or in our Operational focused 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 constant innovation whilst not forgetting our age old values; Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgement & Innovation. Colleagues across all departments are truly 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 Department Assistant will be based in the New York Wine, Handbags & Accessories departments and offers exposure to the auction industry and the world of rare and exciting luxury pieces. This role provides support to Specialists and Business Management, assisting with consignment, auction preparation, and exhibition. The successful candidate must be a dynamic problem solver, organized, calm under pressure and be able to communicate with professionalism and clarity to key stakeholders across the departments.

How You Will Make An Impact

• General department administrative tasks as assigned by line manager
• Keeping all data up to date in Christie’s internal systems
• Research lots including authenticity, bibliography, provenance and exhibition history using publications, libraries and online resources
• Respond to inquiries from clients for condition reports, images and fact sheets
• Assist Cataloguers with cataloguing, condition checks and images as needed
• Assist Sale Coordinators with managing sale logistics and department inventory
• Support Sale Coordinators and Specialists on exhibitions tasks throughout the building, including set up and breakdowns
• Work closely, efficiently, and effectively with other specialist departments as needed
• This role will require working all dates of the exhibition during Luxury Week, including the weekend

What You Will Bring To The Team

• Passionate commitment to client service and the ability to manage the details of a service level with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication
• Capacity to be proactive, self-start and organize multiple projects at all times while remaining calm under pressure
• Superior client service skills. Candidate must be able to engage with a range of clients from external vendors to top clients, senior management as well as peers with consistency and grace
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Strong follow-up skills with attention to detailWillingness to work long hours and to go above and beyond to work in and support a team environment
• Interest in the luxury market, with focus on handbags or wine preferred

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.

Closing Date: October 19th, 2026

• Posted salary range does not include discretionary overtime pay.