Director of Auction Sales

Revelation Machinery; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Revelation Auctions is seeking a senior, hands‑on business development professional to generate and close auction opportunities. You will work with leadership and operations/marketing to turn qualified opportunities into signed engagements, while leveraging company leads and your network.

Success requires proven ability to source and close deals in the industrial equipment or auction markets, strong relationship skills, and willingness to travel for client meetings, facility visits, and industry

Qualifications

• 3+ years in industrial auctions, machinery sales, asset disposition, or equipment liquidation.
• Proven ability to source and close business independently.
• Strong knowledge of industrial machinery and auction dynamics.
• Experience with CRM for pipeline management.
• Willingness to travel for meetings and events.

Responsibilities

• Generate auction opportunities: Proactively identify and pursue business through direct outreach, publicly available opportunities, market research, and industry relationships.
• Develop lasting relationships: Build and maintain relationships with equipment owners, decision-makers, and strategic industry contacts to generate repeat business and referrals.
• Own the sales process: Manage opportunities from initial contact and qualification through site visits, proposals, negotiations, and signed agreements.
• Evaluate potential engagements: Understand equipment, seller objectives, timing, and site conditions, working with internal teams to assess auction suitability.
• Convert company-generated leads: Respond promptly, maintain consistent follow-up, and develop a clear plan to move qualified full-facility opportunities forward.
• Structure competitive proposals: Work with leadership to recommend sale strategies and terms that meet seller needs while supporting company profitability.
• Coordinate successful execution: Provide auction operations and marketing teams with accurate information, clear seller expectations, and a thorough handoff while remaining engaged in the client relationship.
• Maintain pipeline accountability: Keep CRM records current, communicate next steps, and provide realistic forecasts for upcoming business.
• Represent Revelation Auctions: Attend relevant industry events, client meetings, and facility visits to expand relationships and develop opportunities.

Skills

Business development

Sales

Negotiation

Relationship building

CRM experience

Tools

CRM software

Job description

The Opportunity

This is a senior, hands‑on business development role with direct responsibility for generating and closing auction business. You will work closely with company leadership and our auction operations and marketing teams to turn qualified opportunities into successful sales.

In addition to developing your own business, you will receive company-generated full‑facility leads, with allocation based on demonstrated performance, follow‑through, and results.

Key Responsibilities

• Generate auction opportunities: Proactively identify and pursue business through direct outreach, publicly available opportunities, market research, and industry relationships.
• Develop lasting relationships: Build and maintain relationships with equipment owners, decision‑makers, and strategic industry contacts to generate repeat business and referrals.
• Own the sales process: Manage opportunities from initial contact and qualification through site visits, proposals, negotiations, and signed agreements.
• Evaluate potential engagements: Understand the equipment, seller objectives, timing, and site conditions, working with internal teams to assess auction suitability and commercial potential.
• Convert company‑generated leads: Respond promptly, maintain consistent follow‑up, and develop a clear plan to move qualified full‑facility opportunities forward.
• Structure competitive proposals: Work with leadership to recommend sale strategies and terms that meet seller needs while supporting company profitability.
• Coordinate successful execution: Provide auction operations and marketing teams with accurate information, clear seller expectations, and a thorough handoff while remaining engaged in the client relationship.
• Maintain pipeline accountability: Keep CRM records current, communicate next steps, and provide realistic forecasts for upcoming business.
• Represent Revelation Auctions: Attend relevant industry events, client meetings, and facility visits to expand relationships and develop opportunities.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience in industrial auctions, machinery sales, asset disposition, or equipment liquidation.
• Demonstrated success independently sourcing and closing business within the industrial equipment or auction market.
• Strong understanding of industrial machinery, equipment values, and the factors that influence auction outcomes.
• Ability to communicate confidently with business owners, executives, and other senior decision‑makers.
• Strong negotiation, relationship‑building, and follow‑through skills.
• Ability to manage complex opportunities and multiple active deals with limited oversight.
• Experience using a CRM to manage pipeline activity and sales forecasts.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, facility inspections, and industry events.

Direct experience securing full‑facility auctions or liquidation engagements is strongly preferred.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means building a consistent pipeline of qualified auction opportunities, converting both self‑generated and company‑provided leads into signed engagements, developing repeat seller relationships, and generating profitable auction business.