Associate Specialist, Handbags & Accessories

Paris office

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 our more Operational focused 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 constant innovation whilst not forgetting our age old values; Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgement & Innovation. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is constantly inspiring to work with industry leaders across all segments of the business.     
 

The Role

The Associate Specialist is responsible for bringing in business, cataloguing and coordinating the sale and property, requiring in-depth knowledge of client relationship management and the handbags market, working in close collaboration with a global team of specialists.
 

Specific duties & responsibilities will include but are not limited to

• Develop business contacts and strategic opportunities, including auction and private sales, with Head of Department.

• Brings in consignment and drives own deal-making

• Identify and maintain relationships with all client categories (collectors, dealers, corporations, institutions).

• Working on appraisals as a means of generating new long-term business opportunities and reconnecting with inactive clients.

• Review incoming photo inquires to determine property sale potential and value (pricing sessions).

• Catalogue property including condition reports

• Write and prepare catalogue essays. Research property including authenticity, provenance and exhibition history.

• Work on catalogue production and layout.

• Prepare condition reports of consigned property prior to the auction.

• Participate in Telephone Bidding with clients during the auction.

• Participate in pre-sale exhibition set-up.

• Work with buyers during sale week to market and pre-sell the sale.

• Participate in pre-selling upcoming auctions through touring, events and other targeted marketing efforts.

• Maintain up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of handbag auction market, including recent sales and trends

• Actively participate in events, art fairs, and other functions to represent Christie’s.

The Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledges

• Previous experience in relevant department, luxury brands or auction setting or having functional experience relevant to the role. Minimum of 4-5 years’ experience in Handbags.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Strong organisational skills

• Ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with diplomacy

• Research skills including analysis and interpretation of data

• Be attentive to detail and capable of working with a dynamic international team

• Knowledge of E-mail, Spreadsheet, Word Processing and Presentation software (Microsoft Office)

• Ability to learn Christie’s systems  including COS, JDE System, intranet and website

• Fluent French and English required

• An appreciation of and understanding of relevant Business Group and/or region including appreciation / understanding of the Department an advantage

• Commercial and business awareness and ability to market sophisticated audience

• Demonstrative sale expertise, transactional capability, keen negotiator

• Geographical mobility for business getting

• Basic knowledge of sales structures and/or general office environment/duties

• Ability to work collaboratively, team player