Head of Sale Management, Jewels and Watches

Head of Sale Management, Jewels and Watches

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 our more Operational focused teams we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 260 year old company, steeped in history, bringing constant innovation whilst not forgetting our age old values; Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgement & Innovation.   
 

Why This Role Matters

The Head of Sale Management is a key and central role to the department in overseeing and leading the sale coordination and cataloguing teams to execute against the sale curation and department strategy. The Head of Sale Management ensures the team is resourced effectively and that staff prioritize work related to the administration and cataloguing of consigned property.  They are also responsible for ensuring the sales are delivered in a consistent and efficient way.
 

How You Will Make An Impact

Team Management

• Lead, recruit and manage Sale Coordinators, and Department Assistants, including training and departmental problem-solving guidance

• Strategically assess the sale calendar and allocate resources to ensure sales can be delivered effectively and on time

• Conduct performance reviews for sale coordinators, manage performance and objective setting

• Partner with Business Director on business-related issues affecting timelines and/or budgets

• Lead the coordination of tours and exhibitions for sale highlights and liaise with centralized tour coordinators

• Oversee pre and post auction checks, in collaboration with Sale Coordinators, to ensure all AML compliance standards are met

• Act as point of escalation for Sale Coordinator to resolve client and partner department issues

• Representative of the team in discussion and co-ordination with other departments for cross category sales and consignments

• Maintain relationships with critical auction business partners to ensure all functions run smoothly

• Work with Specialists to ensure cataloguers are working effectively across the sales

• Lead, manage and communicate any department changes necessary

• Liaise with other departmental Heads of Sale Management to leverage pool of Sales Coordinator across departments when needed

• Approve all catalogue elements related to compliance and general sale information

• Oversee the Cataloguer’ and Sale Coordinators’ effective liaison with Marketing & Proposals to ensure all proposals align with the marketing strategy

Financial Management & Sale Related Activities

• Support Business Director in preparing documentation for deals requiring Commercial Office review

• Approve purchase orders, property movement, and Marketing costs

• Review on a weekly basis the client charges to ensure costs are correctly captured and entered, acting as a point of escalation for over budget spend

• Work with Business Director to ensure all private sale deals conform to outlined rules

• Provide insight and information to Finance Partner for any necessary reporting

• Inventory control: proactively work with Specialists, Sale Coordinators and Logistics to clear old inventory and action property in breach of Inventory Policy

• Shipping and Logistics Management: Oversee shipping operations for both departments, ensuring all shipments and reporting are handled efficiently and kept up to date. Partner with Christie’s Art Transport Director to align the team with regulatory and policy updates

• Ensure the whole team including self are trained in telephone bidding and are able to support sales as required

What You Will Bring To The Team

• Possess 3-5 years of progressively senior auction and/or arts administration experience, with an interest in the Luxury markets of Jewels and Watches

• Reliable and proactive, with thorough follow up skills

• Strong business judgement, with proven ab