Our client, a Blue Chip Contemporary Art Gallery in New York, are looking for a skilled candidate with previous sales experience in a commercial gallery. The role involves supporting the Sales team in the fulfilment of sales; ensuring excellent post-sale client service; updating Salesforce with meaningful business intelligence about our clientele; and, updating the entire team on recent efforts by the Sales team and artist management.
Job Responsibilities:
The Sales Assistant understands the goals that are specific to marketing and sales. He/she executes the plan by working closely with members of the Sales team and liaising with other departments. The Sales Assistant is responsible for:
Sales Strategy:
- Understand the digital marketing and ecommerce strategy for the year;
- Identify works that should be marketed and sold online;
- Fully understand the costs, discount policies and target margins for works;
- Balance outstanding client service with the needs of the gallery;
- Implement consistent engagement strategies with walk-in visitors, phone and email inquiries;
- Generate sales invoices and facilitate post-sale service to clients (i.e. deliveries, storage and/or installation);
- Update Salesforce with works on reserve, NFS and sales;
- Provide remote support to sales staff who are traveling;
- Provide client service on-site when sales staff are traveling or out of the gallery;
- Reconcile expense reports for sales staff;
- Develop richer client profiles including interests, engagement and sales;
- Mine business intelligence in Salesforce to focus client outreach and improve the results of every campaign;
- Review auctions to determine comparable values and selling opportunities;
- Work with Head of Client Development to segment prospects and clients and undertake research to offer relevant works and tailored content to prospects and clients;
- Cultivate new types of collectors who haven’t thought of the gallery as a “go-to place” for them;
- Manage a pipeline of prospects and clients and input conversion efforts and sales in SF;
- Serve as a brand ambassador at galas, industry events, art fairs, gallery and museum exhibition.
Artist Management:
- Work with Director(s) on the market development strategy for designated artists;
- Manage artist relationships pro-actively to seize on media, museum, promotional and sales opportunities;
- Maintain up-to-date and accurate artist biographies and related content for the website;
- Facilitate commissions and the fabrication of works with the Operations team;
- Collaborate with artists on the concept, design and installation of gallery exhibitions;
- Update the team regularly on the status of inventory, exhibitions, special projects and other issues related to the artists with whom they work.
General:
- Attend all sales meetings and compile weekly re-caps;
- Staff gallery events as needed;
- Assist with gallery maintenance to ensure an exceptional client and visitor experience;
- Orient and train new hires as needed;
- Ensure effective internal communication so that colleagues have sufficient and timely information to achieve their goals;
- Use information systems to improve efficiency.
Requirements:
- BA and/or MA in Art History. 3+ years as a specialist or a salesperson in the commercial art world.
- Computer skills: MS Office Suite and Salesforce
- Team player
- Eager to learn about the art world and gallery operations
- Detail-oriented; capable of prioritizing and executing multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Clear oral and written communication
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Creative problem solving
- Consistency and reliability
- Models a professional way of working
- Able to manage a sometimes busy workload and stay calm under pressure
Reporting to: Associate Sales Director
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: $45k – $55k DOE
Location: New York