Description:
Our client is a privately owned, well-established London auction house which is
fast becoming a major player in the international art market. With 20 specialist departments, around 60 staff, regular dedicated and themed sales are held across a breadth of specialisms equating to a busy calendar of 100 auctions per year. Starting from the nineteenth century our client’s Camera department offers its clients a particular and focused database for collectable cameras and other rare optical items. The Specialist will play a vital role in the cataloguing and valuation process of the camera items and contribute towards fruitful business.
Purpose of job:
To contribute towards the consigning, valuing, and cataloguing of rare camera equipment, in line with the department and business year-on-year growth objectives
Main contacts:
Internal: Executive and Managing Directors, other specialist departments, client
liaison and other business functions especially marketing and photography
External: private clients, collectors, dealers, other auction houses
Areas of Responsibility:
– Coordinate with the team on the consignment of rare camera items.
– Respond to incoming walk-ins, written, phone and email enquiries to
determine sale potential, along with other members of the department.
– Work with colleagues to determine provenance, authenticity, value,
condition, and marketability.
– Work with the Department Coordinator with respect to the photography of
the items
– Catalogue consignments and work on the production and layout of the
online catalogue, and any associated e-catalogue with the Department Coordinator
– Work with the team on pre-sale exhibition set-up
– Alongside colleagues in the team, work with potential buyers to provide
condition reports, and attend weekend exhibitions, to market and sell the
sale.
– Participate in telephone bidding with clients during the auction, as
required.
– Participate in the full after-sales analysis and implement any agreed
changes.
General:
– Ensure compliance with all internal policies and procedures and any
relevant external bodies or processes.
– Participate in organisation-wide meetings, activities, and processes, and
develop internal contacts, networks, and interactions as appropriate.
– Actively participate in events, valuation days, and other functions to
represent auctions.
– Carry out other duties as required by the Executive Directors and Managing Director
Person Specification:
– Essential qualifications skills and experience
– A qualification relevant to the field
– A sound academic background is essential.
– Proven knowledge in the field of rare camera objects gained both through study and work experience.
– Experience in the field, preferably at an auction house.
– Proven ability to develop relationships with major collectors, dealers,
auction houses and galleries.
– Excellent writing skills in English, and ability to combine an understanding
of the material with a commercial sense of marketing and promoting
value.
– Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including first
class spoken English.
– Ability to work to tight auction deadlines, balancing photography,
cataloguing, sale organization, marketing, and promotional details.
– Experience working on projects of all sizes, long- and short-term;
demonstrated ability to prioritize a variety of concurrent projects.
– Excellent knowledge of the Microsoft 365 Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
SharePoint, Outlook etc.)
– Ability to learn systems, with excellent IT proficiency.
– Superior customer service skills
– Strong follow-up skills with attention to detail
– Ability to thrive within a fast-paced team environment.
– Desirable knowledge, skills, and experience.
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time