Gallery Assistant

David Zwirner, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible workplace

Generous PTO

Health, dental, vision benefits

Museum memberships

401K

Job summary

David Zwirner, Inc. in New York seeks a Gallery Assistant responsible for greeting clients, coordinating front desk operations, and supporting the Sales team to ensure a positive client experience.

The role requires excellent people skills, poise under pressure, and a strong interest in art. Schedule varies; overtime may be required for openings and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History or related field.
• Previous gallery or sales experience is helpful but not required.
• Strong written and verbal communication and client-relations skills.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and visitors professionally and handle inquiries.
• Serve as front desk lead and coordinate materials for viewings and events.
• Maintain front desk appearance and organize exhibition materials.
• Support Sales Manager with offers and internal comps.
• Update client profiles and office records; manage calendars and travel docs.

Skills

Welcoming guests

Customer service

Teamwork

Communication skills

Poise under pressure

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Art History

Job description

At David Zwirner, we look to be an industry leader in our field, with our artists at the center of what we do. Our global exhibition program expands beyond our locations in New York, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Paris, representing seventy artists and estates. Home to innovative, singular, and pioneering exhibitions across a variety of media and genres. Active in both the primary and secondary market, David Zwirner has helped foster the careers of some of the most influential artists today.

Who will work well with us:

• The ideal candidate is someone who is passionate and interested in the arts/larger creative arena or is eager to learn. Previous experience and a background within the commercial art world is not required.
• We welcome all individuals entering the workforce, those moving into a new stage of their career or vocation, making a change, returning to work, those wanting to learn and grow within the industry, to apply.

About the Opportunity:

Gallery Assistant | $50k annual salary, paid hourly; overtime eligible

This role’s focus is on setting the tone for a positive client experience, and maintaining efficient and seamless guest services for David Zwirner. In addition, this role will work closely with the Executive Assistant and Sales Manager in the Principal’s office to provide extra support. As the first point of contact for clients and visitors, this role is the face of David Zwirner. The ideal candidate enjoys conversing about art and artists, remains poised and discreet under pressure, has the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, and is a proactive team player. This role reports into the Front Desk Manager and the Principal’s office, and works closely with the Sales team while serving as a key contributor to the day to day of gallery operations.

Schedule: T-S during the year, M-F during the summer schedule.

Hours: 9:45 AM-6:15 PM and the requirement to work additional hours for opening/events as needed.

What you’ll do:

• Greet clients and visitors with professionalism, while answering questions about art, artists, the gallery, and more.
• Represent the gallery as a first point-of-contact for clients, artists, and visitors. Create a pleasant and memorable experience for all who visit.
• Maintain the pristine appearance of the front desk area and the built-in book displays, while keeping exhibition materials (checklists, price lists, press releases) stocked and orderly.
• Prepare materials for client viewings and client book mailings.
• Prepare and update price lists for exhibitions and viewings.
• Field and direct incoming phone calls, and maintain voicemails.
• Manage the shipping and receiving of gallery mail and packages.
• Serve as Front Desk lead for the Principal’s client viewings: work closely with the Principal’s team to ensure timely viewings emails; print images/fact sheets/comps; prep materials; track viewing notes and follow-ups.
• Assist Sales Manager with drafting offers and preparing internal comps.
• Maintain and update office information systems: client profiles, database input, inventory/consignment lists, marketing emails etc.
• Coordinate meeting and presentation materials for the Principal: support Principal’s team and Photo/Research in building binders for artist/client meetings; archive materials/projects as needed.
• Work with the Principal’s Executive Assistant to manage calendars, internal resource documents, travel documents and itineraries.
• Work with the Principal’s Executive Assistant to provide hospitality logistics: assist with coffees/teas and lunches when needed.
• On rare occasions provide in-person real-time coverage support to the Principal.

What we would like you to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History or a related field.
• Previous experience as a Gallery Assistant or Sales Assistant in an art gallery.
• Experience with welcoming guests and clients with warmth and professionalism.
• Strong commitment to artists and the artistic program of the gallery.
• Outstanding collaboration, teamwork, and people skills.
• A detail-oriented eye for the aesthetic needs of an efficient, organized, elevated office space.
• A take-ownership approach, along with the ability to manage multiple tasks and concurrent projects.
• Ability to remain calm and poised in high-pressure situations.
• Willingness to assist in areas outside of job description.
• A genuine enthusiasm for the functions of a commercial art gallery and an interest in growing in a gallery environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A positive, helpful, team player attitude.
• Premier Access - to private on-site and off-site events, such as exhibition previews, book signings, talks, and walkthroughs with gallery artists and estate members, and external curators and scholars.
• Staff-driven projects and fundraising initiatives. This includes David Zwirner's commitment to Galleries Commit .
• Benefits! Flexible workplace and commuter benefits, corporate memberships to museums, including the Whitney, MOMA, and others. Summer Fridays, generous PTO and leave, and family medical, dental, and vision benefits. 401K savings plan with automatic employer contributions.

David Zwirner is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Gallery is firmly committed to equal employment opportunities in all facets of its operations. The Gallery makes decisions concerning hiring and terms and conditions of employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.