Cruise Ship Art Sales Associate-Auctioneer Apprenticeship | ZA

Park West Gallery; Remote; ZAR 847 000 - 1 356 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading art dealer is offering a unique opportunity to start your sales career at sea, progressing from Art Sales Associate to Shipboard Gallery Director and Auctioneer. This role involves engaging guests in the art-buying process, supporting live art auctions, and working in multicultural settings while traveling internationally. The position is as an Independent Contractor with significant earning potential, providing training and mentoring throughout your journey.

Benefits

Paid training and mentorship

Onboard accommodations and meals provided

Uncapped performance pay

Qualifications

• No art degree required, but passion for art is essential.
• Ability to lift and move framed artwork up to 50 lbs.
• Multi-month shipboard rotations with international travel.

Responsibilities

• Engage guests and guide them through the art-buying experience.
• Support live art auctions and host gallery events.
• Set up exhibitions and collaborate with a high-energy team.
• Deliver polished guest service in a fast-paced, multicultural setting.

Skills

Strong English communication

Customer engagement

Event hosting

Team collaboration

Job description

Overview

Launch your sales career at sea with Park West Gallery, the world’s largest art dealer. Step into a paid, apprenticeship-style career track that grows your career from Art Sales Associate → Shipboard Gallery Director → Art Auctioneer. You’ll learn live-event selling, build stage presence, and lead gallery operations—while traveling the world. No art degree required. Training & mentorship provided.

What you’ll do

• Engage guests and guide them through the art-buying experience
• Support live art auctions and host vibrant gallery events onboard
• Set up beautiful exhibitions and collaborate with a high-energy team
• Deliver polished guest service in a fast-paced, multicultural setting

Your growth path

Associate → Gallery Director → Auctioneer (our highest-earning role), with coaching, real stage time, and clear performance milestones.

Compensation (Independent Contractor)

• Contract minimum guarantee: $1,400 USD per onboard month (during initial active shipboard assignment). Each month you earn whichever is higher: your performance pay or the $1,400 USD/month contract minimum (amounts aren’t combined).
• Uncapped performance pay (commissions + bonuses after 30 days)
• Initial earning potential: $50,000–$80,000 USD; earning potential with experience: $100,000–$300,000+ USD
• Engagement is Independent Contractor (through third-party staffing agency); contractors manage their own taxes/insurance. Full terms provided upon selection. No candidate fees.

Work conditions & disclosures (at a glance)

• Multi-month (3 to 6 months) shipboard rotations with international travel.
• Ability to lift and move framed artwork up to 50 lbs (≈23 kg) and stand/walk for extended periods with or without reasonable accommodation. A valid seafarer’s medical, post-offer, approved by our cruise line partners in conjunction with MLC regulations, is required.
• Travel documents: passport (or ability to obtain) and visas as needed for embarkation.
• Post-offer screenings: with your consent and in accordance with POPIA and applicable law, we may conduct a background check via an approved vendor; for shipboard roles, a post-offer maritime medical fitness assessment is required through approved providers.
• During assignments: onboard accommodations and meals are provided through the cruise program. This is an independent-contractor engagement; no traditional employee benefits are provided.
• Must meet cruise-line embarkation policies by start date (details provided during hiring).
• Strong English communication — shipboard operations are conducted in English.
• All roles are engaged as Independent Contractors through Caribbean Staffing Solutions.

Apply now

Apply now to reserve your seat and start your path to Auctioneer. Bring your energy, professionalism, and passion for art to the world stage.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language, or birth, and we provide reasonable accommodations for candidates during the recruitment and selection process upon request.

Privacy (POPIA)

We process candidate information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and our Applicant Privacy Notice. Your information may be transferred internationally for recruiting and shipboard assignment purposes with appropriate safeguards.