Specialist, Chinese Works of Art

THE ROLE

Supporting both the main and mid-season CWOA sales, this role is responsible for new business generation and for the sourcing, authentication, evaluation and sale of property to meet sales and profit targets.

Active role in general day-to-day functioning of the department and promotion of the department within the worldwide corporation.

RESPONSBILITIES

• Business getting and negotiations, operating as part of a team to meet sales and net profit targets for main and mid-season sales. This will involve occasional sweeps across regional locations
• Help organise the preview exhibitions in China and Hong Kong travelling exhibitions
• Setting an example of scholarship providing - expertise, researching and cataloguing objects to the highest standard, according to client service and sale deadlines
• Involvement in all aspects of catalogue production including:
  • Research and cataloguing of items to the highest standard according to scheduled deadlines
  • Ensuring that all photography for catalogues are complete in a timely manner
  • Dealing with paste-ups and layouts
  • Liaising with Catalogue Production and other support departments
• Writing condition reports and responding to photo forms, estimate enquiries and general correspondence
• Dealing with day-to-day client enquiries at the counter, by email and on the telephone
• Ensure personal focus on continuous improvement of the overall quality of expertise and levels of client service offered and set an example of professionalism to more junior colleagues. Mentor and help train those less experienced colleagues
• Provide proactive input into improvement of departmental systems/practices
• Build strong relationships with international colleagues and work with clients to actively sell Sotheby’s international CWOA sales
• Assist in preparation of proposals and of valuations as directed
• Assist on site auctions as required, including but not limited to telephone bidding
• Maintain an exceptionally high level of client service, both internally and externally (colleagues and public)
• Maintain general knowledge of policies and procedures as related to compliance, property shipments, and post-sale services
• Participate in ad-hoc duties as requested, not limited to additional main and mid-season auction based duties which may include, but are not limited to, telephone bidding for multiple departments
• Operating at all times in accordance with the company’s rules on compliance and corporate governance.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Degree educated or equivalent
• 8+ years of proven experience with business getting and CWOA expertise
• Expert knowledge of specialty should include:
  • Current in-depth market knowledge and awareness
  • Archives and Reference sources
  • Understanding of the appropriate craft and restoration techniques
  • Network of contacts within the CWOA market
• Strong research skills and exceptional attention to detail
• Proven commitment to excellence in Client Service
• Able to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, confidentiality and discretion
• Functional working knowledge of the complete auction process and related procedures (e.g. shipping regulations, taxation, compliance)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese required (spoken and written)
• Self-motivated; able to work independently and as part of a busy team
• Able to work well under pressure, to multiple deadlines and be prepared to “pitch in” when required
• Flexible approach to a wide range of tasks
• Flexible to travel at certain times of the year to undertake sweeps, support sales, traveling exhibitions and client visits as and when required