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
Responsible for new and current business generation with a geographical coverage focusing primarily German-speaking countries and a secondary focus on Northern Europe (Netherlands, Scandinavia region, etc…) and for the sourcing, solicitation, authentication, evaluation, and sale for Continental Europe based property to meet sales and profit targets across a range of channels and formats as directed by the Worldwide Head of Sotheby’s Wine. You will play an active part in day-to-day business getting for the department’s sales and will work closely with the global Specialist team to support the growth and success of the global Sotheby’s Wine business.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Source and secure profitable consignments for auction and fixed price opportunities, managing sale production, deadlines, and targets
- Use personal relationships, tastings, dinners, and all types of events (private & trade) to build an impressive and important network of private and trade clients who trust your knowledge and expertise and will do business with you on both the buy & sell sides
- Negotiate and secure wines and spirits for auction and fixed price selling opportunities, meeting individual and team margin and revenue targets together with local and global annual budget
- Use Specialist knowledge and expertise on strategic long-term business getting focused on high level clients and their requirements. Act as a client contact for this client base and nurture relationships.
- Be a respected and trusted authority on the fine wine market and use that experience with clients, press and on social media
- Set an example of scholarship providing expertise, researching and cataloguing wines to the highest standard and in accordance with sale deadlines
- Value property to provide auction/retail/fair market/insurance estimates
- Perform property inspection for wine at Sotheby’s Wine warehouses and on-site at client’s premises when required
- Assist with inspection and research/cataloguing of wines for sale in New York and Hong Kong when required
Sales and Production
- Meet sale production and deadlines
- Ensure that all photography is completed in a timely manner
- Researching writing and proof-reading catalogue entries
- Liaising with Catalogue Production and Sale Creation teams as appropriate
- Produce and manage appraisal and proposal coordination
- Keep business getting spreadsheet updated to current status
- Proactively sell all Sotheby’s Wine sales (both auction and fixed price offerings) to Sotheby’s global database of clients and actively engage in the growth of the global Sotheby’s Wine audience
- Build a private client base that actively buys in our global wine business
- Act as an ambassador for the Wine business within Sotheby’s, promoting its services, products and expertise to internal stakeholders, cross selling the Sotheby’s Wine business to all Sotheby’s clients
- Provide advice to buyers across Sotheby’s Wine global auction and fixed price opportunities
- Responsible for selling wine to clients via telephone, email, in-person and at events
- Events composition/participation to include client development and entertaining
- Participate in local, regional and global Sotheby’s Wine projects as required
- Provide support to other parts of the Sotheby’s Wine business as and when required
- Consistently seek opportunities to promote and sell other Sotheby’s categories to own client base
- Demonstrate a consistently client first approach to business, ensuring active and timely communication with clients and ensuring that their needs are at the centre of our decisions and actions while remaining compliant with Sotheby’s policies and code of conduct
- Demonstrate a “One Sotheby’s” approach to the business, working to build the most effective worldwide business
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- Extensive client base primarily located in Germany, Austria, Switzerland.
- Outgoing, social and personable character with a strong ability to network and convert social connections into business opportunities
- Experience networking and selling to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals
- Exceptional knowledge of fine and rare wine relevant to the auction & retail market
- Understand and demonstrate a “no compromise” attitude towards luxury: protecting the Sotheby’s Wine vision and brand equity while achieving short term sales goals
- Experience in developing clientele over time and nurturing relationships
- High level of attention to detail is a must
- Self-starter with an ability to make commercial decisions independently professional, discreet and commercial client service skills
- Proficient in MS Word, Excel and SAP preferred
- Domestic and international travel will be required
- Fluency in English and German needed
- Proficiency in French is highly regarded
To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please click here.
To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please click here.
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.
