The Executive Administrator is a broad and demanding role. The candidate will oversee the administration and management of an Artist’s Estate, ensuring the preservation and promotion of the artist’s legacy.
The role
This role involves a combination of administrative, curatorial, and marketing responsibilities. The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented and discreet professional, providing a high degree of confidentiality, respect, and long-term commitment. Key qualifications include strong organizational skills, proficiency in managing financial documents, and excellent communication abilities, especially when interacting with galleries and institutions.
The Executive Administrator is responsible for managing the estate, including the organization, preservation, promotion, and monetization of works. This role requires a deep understanding of the art market, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate with galleries, museums, collectors, and legal professionals.
Key Responsibilities Overview:
Estate Administration
- Maintain detailed records of all artworks, including provenance, exhibition history, condition reports, sales records and financial reports.
- Manage the physical and digital archives of the artist’s works, personal papers, and related materials.
- Ensure proper storage, conservation, and restoration of artworks as needed.
- Coordinating and organizing events. Information for access support.
Legal and Financial Management
- Coordinate with legal advisors and accountants to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations concerning the artist’s estate.
- Support accountants/tax advisors with financial aspects, including budgeting, accounting, and tax compliance.
- Handle the negotiation and administration of licensing agreements, copyrights, and royalties.
Promotion and Marketing
- Develop and implement strategies to promote the artist’s legacy through exhibitions, publications, and digital platforms.
- Build and maintain relationships with galleries, museums, collectors, and auction houses.
- Manage the estate’s online presence, including website updates and social media activities.
Exhibition and Sales
- Organise and coordinate exhibitions and retrospectives in collaboration with institutions and galleries.
- Oversee the sale of artworks, ensuring they are placed in reputable collections and institutions.
- Manage the loaning of artworks to museums and other institutions for exhibitions.
Research and Scholarship
- Support and facilitate scholarly research on the artist’s life and work.
- Collaborate with art historians, researchers, and authors to produce catalogues raisonnés, monographs, and other publications.
- Maintain and update a comprehensive bibliography of the artist’s works and related literature.
Public and Community Engagement
- Develop educational programs and outreach initiatives to engage the public with the artist’s work.
- Organize events such as lectures, panel discussions, and workshops to promote the artist’s legacy.
- Work with schools, universities, and community organizations to foster an appreciation of the artist’s contributions.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Arts Administration, Business, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in art management, museum administration, or a related field.
- Strong knowledge of art history and the art market.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in digital tools and database management systems.
Desired Skills
- Experience with archival management and conservation practices.
- Knowledge of legal and financial aspects of estate management.
- Ability to develop and implement marketing and promotional strategies.
- Experience in organizing exhibitions and managing art sales.
- Strong research and writing skills.
Desired Attributes
- Strategic Vision: Proven ability to develop and implement plans to manage and promote an artist’s legacy.
- Asset Management: Skilled in cataloging, preserving, and ensuring accessibility of physical and digital assets.
- Legal and Financial Acumen: Expertise in intellectual property rights, copyright law, and financial oversight.
- Communication Skills Strong ability to manage relationships with stakeholders and lead successful PR campaigns.
- Technological Proficiency: Experienced in using digital tools for estate management and promotion.
- Project Management: Demonstrated success in organizing exhibitions and managing large-scale projects.
- Confident yet respectful, able to listen, patient, and adaptable to the estate’s evolving needs.
- Ethical Standards: High integrity in balancing commercial interests with the artist’s legacy. The ideal candidate is confident, experienced, and able to work collaboratively, ensuring the artist’s legacy is preserved and celebrated for future generations.
Salary: Flexible DOE
Location: Office-based in London – occasional international travel will be involved
Reports To: The family of the deceased artist
Start: by end of 2024