ABOUT SOTHEBY'S
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Synonymous with innovation, Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions, private sales and retail locations. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.
THE ROLE
In this role, you will provide overall support to the Department including but not limited to sales, customer relations, catalogue production and administration while improving technical expertise in the field of Watches. You will also develop skills that will enable you to undertake new business generation and for the sourcing, authentication, evaluation and sale of property over time.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- To build on your training within the Watches Department in HK on cataloguing and researching items for sales:
- Learning, under the guidance of senior members of the department, and assisting in cataloguing of Watches to the highest standard according and scheduled deadlines
- Improving technical expertise in Watches (aiming to display appraisal ability for pieces and to participate in business getting)
- Expert familiarization on all procedures and corporate compliance
- Corresponding with external experts
- All aspects of catalogue production including:
- Preparing worksheets for cataloguing
- Ensuring that all photography for catalogues are completed in a timely manner
- Dealing with paste-ups and layouts
- Responsible for colour corrections of photo proofs and liaising with vendor(s)
- Liaising with support departments for catalogue production as necessary
- Providing a comprehensive level of services to Sotheby’s clients both remote and face-to-face e.g. providing exemplary levels of service both verbal and in written communication, responding swiftly and accurately to estimate enquiries, day-today client enquiries at the counter/email/phone, photo-forms and general correspondence etc.
- Assisting with the planning and organizing exhibition of pieces for auction
- Assisting in pre-sale and post-sale activities
- Assisting watch item viewings
- 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
- Operate at all times in line with corporate governance and compliance policies, practices and procedures
- Maintaining high level of compliance in accordance with all corporate requirements including but not limited to import and export laws, confidentiality of client information and social media use
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- Degree educated with previous exposure to/knowledge of luxury watches
- Proven experience with client relationship management and business getting
- Expert knowledge of specialty should include:
- Current market knowledge
- Archives and reference sources
- Understanding the appropriate craft and restoration techniques
- Network of contacts within the watches market
- Strong research skills, excellent attention to detail, thorough organizational ability and some artistic sense
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a commitment to an exemplary level of client service
- Professional and discreet
- Some understanding of Sotheby’s, its culture and services, systems and of the auction process and related procedures (e.g. shipping regulations, VAT, compliance) is desirable
- Self-motivated with enthusiasm to learn
- A team player with a co-operative attitude and a willingness to take on a wide variety of tasks
- Ability to work well under pressure and to multiple deadlines
- Flexible approach to a wide range of tasks and open to change
- Fluency in English, Cantonese and Mandarin (written and spoken) essential
- Excellent MS Office skills and SAP experience will be highly beneficial
- Flexible to travel at certain times of the year to support sales, traveling exhibitions and client visits
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The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.
