Valuations Account Manager

ABOUT SOTHEBY'S

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

THE ROLE

As a key member of the Mid-West team, the Valuations Account Manager is responsible for working with clients and specialists across all categories to provide valuation services for our clients based in the region, building relationships with key clients and stakeholders and contributing to business driving opportunities. They demonstrate leadership and professionalism, acting as the primary liaison between clients and their teams, Sotheby’s specialists and Senior business-getters. They serve as the project manager for all types of valuations and lead the entire valuation process to ensure the client experience at Sotheby's is seamless and exceptional. This role has a very well-rounded knowledge of regional client’s collections and key stakeholders, contributing to the larger Mid-West client strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as valuation project manager for large, complex, long-term valuations frequently requiring organization of specialists and regional staff.
• Manage the entire valuation process including but not limited to: communicating and managing client expectations; preparing valuation proposals and agreements; carrying out pre-valuation walk-throughs or document review; calculating and communicating to the client associated fees, organizing, scheduling and accompanying specialist team on client visits; following up with specialists regarding values, comparables and/or comparable basis paragraphs; setting, communicating and monitoring deadlines to clients and specialists; managing the movement of documents through the production and proofing process and producing and reviewing final documents to ensure product meets Sotheby’s high appraisal standards and sending these to the client.
• Possess detailed knowledge of the types of valuations and requirements as well as IRS requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with Sotheby's colleagues across many departments, as well as external clients including bankers, lawyers, advisors, family offices and collection managers.
• Pro-actively build valuation opportunities through relationship development and maintenance of internal and external client relationships.
• Ability to identify and act on other business opportunities throughout the valuation process and engage the appropriate colleagues, creating proposals and acting as lead Collection Sale Manager when necessary.
• Work with Proposals, Collection Sale Management, Client Strategy and Fiduciary Client Group on sale and estate related projects as needed.
• Participate in internal and external meetings, serving as a representative of Valuations and of the Mid-West region.
• Deal with general enquiries to the Chicago office and respond accordingly.
• Attend on-site and off-site events, meetings and conferences as representative of Sotheby’s.
• Execute other strategic and ad hoc projects as assigned by Head of Department and/or Director of Account Management.
• Responsible for organization within the Chicago office including liaising with the landlord and suppliers, processing purchases and invoices.
• Frequent travel within the Mid-West region.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• BA and 4-6 plus years of auction or art market related experience
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Experience in a UHNWI client management role 
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills
• Strong team player, flexible, motivated, discreet, dependable, resourceful, a problem solder and able to multi-task gracefully
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Sotheby’s Valuation system experience a plus
• USPAP Certified a plus
• Knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and Teams, as well as Adobe

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