Cataloguer/Junior Specialist

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 one of our more Operational teams, we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 250 year old company, steeped in history, bringing fresh ideas whilst not forgetting our shared values; Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility & Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is inspiring to work with industry leaders across our business.

Why This Role Matters
The Cataloguer / Junior Specialist position for Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds and Oriental Rugs and Carpets assists the department with research, cataloguing, expertise, valuations and proposals.

How You'll Make An Impact

• Research property for auction related to valuation coordination and pricing.
• Research property for auction pricing.
• Research property provenance to ensure Christie's compliance with International guidelines
• Research and coordinate auction proposals.
• Research bibliography and exhibition history using libraries, on-line databases, the internet, and outside experts (such as curators, scholars, etc.).
• Complete condition reports pre-sale
• Ensure inventory and stock are correctly located and logged
• Proof and complete all research for cataloguing using auction standards and review with Head of Sale.
• Prepare property for hilling sessions (department meetings to determine value, condition and marketability of property) and update cataloguing accordingly after such sessions.
• Price works for sale, attending pricing, condition reporting, and hilling sessions.
• Flag any authenticity concerns and condition issues in timely manner to a Head of Sale.
• Maintain running list of researched property for sale with notes about status of condition reports, hilling, colour checking and authentication.
• Coordinate photography between warehouse, studio and department.
• Maintain comparative images in media library (monitor progress; liaise with registrar on missing images, deadline constraints); coordinate copyright permission.
• Assist Head of Sale with preview preparations, set up and assist clients in galleries during preview weekends and sale weeks.
• Business-getting, in particular for "core value" lots, encompassing all of the following; researching the works, providing background on the client, the condition and provenance of the work to the Head of Sale, co-ordinating pricing, discussing terms of sale with Business Director, writing proposal documents, liaising with Proposals team, and leading client presentations.
• Build client portfolio and generation of short and long term pipeline business.
• Attend client engagement events and acting as a brand ambassador for Christie's.
• Execute appraisals – liaising with Estates, Appraisals & Valuations and other specialists.
• Work with and build relationships with the wider Asian and World Art cluster and Christie's representatives in other locations.
• Write and prepare essays as and when needed.
• Other duties as assigned by Manager.
• Coordination of auction appraisals – liaison between Estates & Appraisals and department
• Coordination of auction pricing – pulling auction comparable objects for specialists

What You'll Bring To The Team

• Bachelor's degree in fine art, or equivalent work experience, preferably with a focus on Islamic and/or Indian Art or carpets or equivalent work experience. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 12 months paid experience in the Arts.
• Fluency in English and either Arabic, Persian or Turkish; further languages viewed as an advantage.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Superior client service skills.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and proven ability to work to deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Strong follow-up skills with attention to detail.
• Must be a strong team player with proven ability to work in an international team.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.
• Knowledge of Christie's systems including Siebel and JDE preferred.

What's Great About Working For Us

• 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave
• Christie's Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 2nd Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family
• Additional 1 week's annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on
• Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that's important to you
• Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about
• Flexible Fitness Fund - £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable)
• Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues
• Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year)
• Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie's)
• Private Health Insurance – no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members
• Dental Insurance – (may be extended at personal cost)
• Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months
• Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to personal advice and support services including counselling
• Eyecare vouchers (once a year)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Christie's Extras – discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops
• Seniorcare by Lottie, a comprehensive eldercare solution
• Robust family first policy:
• 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave
• Four-day week, for eight weeks, at full pay on return from Maternity Leave
• Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year
• The Stork Club: Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…
• Christie's reserves the right to change company benefits at any time

Salary: £31,000 - £34,000 per annum
Closing Date: Sunday 2nd November