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Specialist – Popular Culture
| Company | Sotheby’s |
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| Location | New York, NY, USA |
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| Salary | $120000 – $160000 |
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| Type | Full-Time |
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| Degrees | Bachelor’s |
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| Experience Level | Senior, Expert or higher |
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Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- 8+ years of professional experience and expertise in research and cataloguing of Popular Culture, primarily in the fields of Music, Film, or Comics
- Deep knowledge of the auction business and/or retail trade
- Self-starter and proven ability to initiate business with a passion for the field
- Professional and discreet, operating with utmost confidentiality when dealing with high profile names and/or collections, showcasing exceptional client service skills
- Strong multi-tasker with ability to prioritize with a willingness to learn about other parts of the business
- Excellent research, writing and organizational skills with effective time management
- A team player with excellent communication skills
- Ability to maintain composure in a stressful environment and meet constant deadlines
- Willingness to travel, and work outside office hours when required
Responsibilities
- Drive new business and consignments for auction, private sales, and marketplace
- Work with the Vice Chairman of Popular Culture, the Business Manager and Specialist colleagues to meet the annual operating plan both domestic and international for a global department
- Run proposal strategy meetings for competitive business getting and negotiations – meeting sales and net profit targets
- Negotiate sale terms, explain the auction process and procedures and provide service to clients throughout the sale process, both for auction and private sale from start to finish
- Oversee sale running lists, client promises, and records of department and warehouse inventory
- Set an example of scholarship – providing expertise, researching and cataloguing objects to the highest standard, according to client service and sale deadlines
- Provide mentoring and help to train less experienced colleagues, developing the team as individuals and as a whole to maximise the quality of the expertise and levels of client service offered by the business
- Ensure sale consignments are properly catalogued, researched and estimated; and provide accurate condition reports
- Support teamwork within the department; monitoring work priorities and well-being within the Department
- Ensure close co-operation and good communications with international and senior colleagues across departments
- Continue to develop and nurture existing and new client relationships, focused on strategic long-term business development within the department and across categories
- Maintain an exceptionally high level of client service, both internally and externally
- Engage in insurance and fair market value appraisals
- Manage online valuations requests and telephone enquiries
- Ensure adherence to compliance policies and organization of the sale process, including shipping and cites requirements
- Work in conjunction with Vice Chairman and Managing Director to identify the marketing and business getting strategy
- With the Business Director, Luxury ensure accurate management of all sale related costs – e.g. catalogue production, marketing, margins – and contribute to the planning process
- Oversee sale exhibition planning and installation as well as layout and design for both online & printed catalogues
- Writing catalogue essays, detailed footnotes and conducting picture research
- Engage in Press and Social outreach as appropriate, supporting the promotion of our sales.
Preferred Qualifications
- Areas of interest including but not limited to; vintage film posters, concert posters, certified awards, autographs, film & TV props, celebrity associated musical instruments, vintage studio equipment, stage worn fashion, film costume & accessories, rock & pop photography, rare records, lyric sheets, personal letters, manuscripts and ephemera, animation cels, rare comic books, and original comic art.
