The Company
Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments, or in one of our more Operational teams, we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 250 year old company, steeped in history, bringing fresh ideas whilst not forgetting our shared values; Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility & Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is inspiring to work with industry leaders across our business.
Why This Role Matters
The Head of Sale Management is a key role to the European 20/21 cluster to plan and manage the programming and operations for PWC,IMP, MTB, PRINTS, ME. The Head of Sale Management is responsible for coordination of Calendar, Catalogue production, Marketing, Events & Event committee submissions, Tours, Pre Sale set up and viewing. The Head of Sale Management is also responsible for the project management of Collections, Single Owner & Charity sales, and cluster collaborations and partnerships. In addition, the Head of Sale Management is the line manager of the Department and Sale Coordinators.
How You'll Make an Impact
Operational Responsibilities:
Lead the coordination of tours and exhibitions for sale highlights and liaise with centralized tour coordinator, including monitoring spend against budget and tour calendar planning. Support overseas Tours teams with incoming tours into London.
Responsible for communicating sale, tour, marketing and viewing deadlines within departments
Lead the relationship with marketing for lot specific marketing and general sale marketing
Oversee the sale calendar and viewing schedules for the departments, working closely with Operations, Heads of Department and Business Management
Liaise with client strategy and events to compile the Events calendar for the departments, including tracking the proposed spend against budget. Partner with the European offices to support engagement and projects.
Responsible for overseeing Catalogue production in collaboration with the publishing team manage catalogue elements to budget. Manage go live processes.
Approve all catalogue elements related to compliance and general sale information
Support the pre-sale view set up arrangements with Operations, including baize/painting/plinths needed for galleries as well as install of oversized and heavy sculptures, outdoor installations.
Inventory control: proactively work with Specialists, Sale Coordinators and Logistics to clear old inventory and action property in breach of Inventory Policy
Business Team Support:
Support BD and RMD during sale week, including preparing sale week communications and logistics, including supporting extended payment terms and market share statistics
Collaborate with Business Director and internal Subject Matter Experts (i.e. Art Transport, Business Support, Client Accounting, Client Team Leads and Legal) to resolve issues and define new process.
Support Charity Projects including cross collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders, overseeing the objectives, enhanced due diligence, and the impact of these projects. Monitor with the business team how we market charity consignments in line with the rules and regulations in the Middle East.
Implement best practice across sales and make recommendations to Business Manager and implement continuous improvement initiatives, including drafting and communicating process changes
Purchase orders approval process, property movement.
Support Department Coordination, including office management, preparation of cluster and department presentation materials and support sale week tasks where necessary.
Line Management:
Recruitment, management and ongoing training of the Department and Sale Coordinators. This includes carrying out performance reviews, setting objectives and dealing with any HR issues that arise.
Oversee the apprenticeship program and support sale teams with management of internship and work experience program and allocate resource to ensure sales can be delivered effectively and on time. Further development scope may include taking on further team management in the coordination group. Maintain relationships with critical auction business partners to ensure all functions run smoothly.
Support any other cluster or sale management tasks as designated by management.
What you’ll bring to the team
Relevant bachelor’s degree and three plus years industry experience.
Be a highly organized individual, who can think outside of the box and readily adapt to changes.
Be able to effectively lead and develop a team and build strong working relationships across departments
Exceptional client service skills including strong verbal and written communication skills
Strong Project management skills including ability to multi-task, prioritize and manage multiple processes
Strong ability to monitor task progress and ensure consistency in approach.
Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
Ability to work collaboratively across multiple groups and sites
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Ability to creatively problem solve
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Strong knowledge of JDE, COS, Canvas and Page-Proof software
What’s great about working for us
25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave
Christie’s Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 1st Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family
Additional 1 week’s annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on
Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that’s important to you
Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about
Flexible Fitness Fund - £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable)
Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues
Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year)
Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie’s)
Private Health Insurance – no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members
Dental Insurance – (may be extended at personal cost)
Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months
Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day
Employee Assistance Programme – access to personal advice and support services including counselling
Eyecare vouchers (once a year)
Cycle to Work scheme
Christie’s Extras – discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops
Seniorcare by Lottie, a comprehensive eldercare solution
Robust family first policy:
Ø 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave
Ø Eligible to return to work for 80% of your agreed normal weekly working pattern while being paid as though you were working 100%, post a minimum of 16 weeks of leave
Ø Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year
Ø Christies Family Network: Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…
*Christie’s reserves the right to change company benefits at any time
Closing Date: Sunday 8th March
Salary: £45,00 per annum
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