The Role
This position is responsible for leading the Old Master Paintings private sales channel for Christie’s with a specialist’s perspective. In conjunction with the Private Sales Business Director, this role will formulate and sustain a long- term global Private Sale strategy for Old Master Paintings, ensuring that it is effectively delivered across all regions.
The role will work closely with all members of the global Old Masters department to encourage business getting, selling and to make maximum use of art expertise and client relationships. They will be ultimately responsible for supporting specialists on all the works that come in through Private Sales including sourcing, growing, closing and maintaining profitability on behalf of the Old Master’s Department. They will spearhead and proactively collaborate with the Private sales researcher, Client Strategy and Object Intelligence team to match objects to clients and close Private Sale transactions.
Specific duties & responsibilities will include but are not limited to
Drive sales, both individually and as a key facilitator amongst the global Christie’s team, identifying and connecting opportunities across the organisation to increase transactions
Focus on continuing private sales growth within the cluster by developing a robust pipeline and managing inventory and opportunities; drive and organise private sale hilling sessions and pricing meetings internationally with the relevant teams
Maintain margins on private sale deals to ensure profitability targets are met and in line with the overall budget
Engage as an active leader, working with the GMD, Global Head and Business Director in setting and implementing the global Private Sales strategy
Partner effectively with EMEA, Americas and APAC colleagues to develop a global approach to the Old Masters Private Sales business and leverage opportunities across regions
Increase collaboration between departments, chairman’s office and regions to optimize private sales (both for consignments and sales), working to review key clients and regions for activation of private sale opportunities
Oversee the cataloguing, research and note-writing for private sale works, ensuring that all due diligence checks are carried out relating to attribution, provenance, exhibition history and literature. To include contacting experts directly and writing on works.
Liaise with the Restitution team to verify war-time provenance.
Review condition reports prepared by external restorers for private sale works.
Regularly review top clients with colleagues ensuring appropriate Private Sales strategies are in place, particularly during post-auction reviews
Participate in forums such as masterpiece reviews, regional client reviews to drive private sales
Assist and advise on business getting proposals as well as taking part in client discussions and presentations to win business
Provide oversight of the strategy, sourcing and selling of private sales exhibitions
Project manage key private sales projects and initiatives
Work with the Business Director and Private Sales team to identify and address process improvements, resource needs and business efficiencies to eliminate roadblocks and catalyse growth
Work with the Marketing, PR and private sales teams on related PR & marketing initiatives
In conjunction with the Business Director, oversee the monitoring and measuring of sales and profitability targets
Provide support for the departments Auctions, working collaboratively with the Head of Departments and Head of Sales. This role will report to the Global Business Director for Private Sales and to the regional Head of Department.
Other duties as assigned by manager
The Candidate
Minimum of 10 years of art market experience, preferably in the secondary market with significant client management and sales experience.
An educational background in Art History and professional experience in Old Masters
Strong understanding of our business; Auction and Private…