Whisky & Spirits Specialist

**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** Sotheby's is seeking Whisky & Spirits Specialist for an exciting new opportunity based at our London offices. You will be responsible for new and current business generation in UK and for the sourcing, solicitation, authentication, evaluation and sale of UK based property to meet sales and profit targets across a range of channels and formats as directed by the Head of Spirits Business, North America and Europe. You will pay an active part in the 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 Whisky & Spirits business. **RESPONSIBILITIES** **Sourcing and Expertise** Sourcing and securing 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 whisky 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 whisky and spirits market and use that experience with clients, press and on social media - Set an example of scholarship providing expertise, researching and cataloguing whisky and spirits to the highest standard and in accordance with sale deadlines - Value property to provide auction/retail/fair market/insurance estimates - Perform property inspection for whisky and spirits at Sotheby's warehouses and on-site at client's premises when required - Lead on inspections and research/cataloguing of whisky and spirits for sale in the UK and Europe, and assist in the Americas and Hong Kong when required **Sale Production** - Manage sale production and deadlines: - Inspecting and authenticating property - Ensure that all photography is completed in a timely manner - Researching and writing catalogue entries - Proof reading - 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 **Selling** Proactively sell all Sotheby's Whisky and Spirits 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 Whisky and Spirits audience - Build a private client base that actively buys in our global Whisky and Spirits business - Act as an ambassador for the Whisky and Spirits business within Sotheby's, promoting its services, products and expertise to internal stakeholders, cross selling the Sotheby's Whisky and Spirits business to all Sotheby's clients - Provide advice to buyers across Sotheby's Whisky and Spirits global auction and fixed price opportunities - Events composition/participation to include client development and entertaining **Other** - Participate in local, regional and global Sotheby's Whisky and Spirits projects as required - Provide support to other parts of the Sotheby's Whisky and Spirits 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 center 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 - Look for innovative solutions to make our business better **IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES** - 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 whisky and spirits relevant to the auction & retail market - Und