Van Cleef & Arpels Head of Atelier

Van Cleef & Arpels is an esteemed maison of haute joaillerie renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, poetic design and proprietary gem-setting techniques. Part of the Richemont stable of luxury maisons, the brand operates specialized ateliers and global boutiques that combine artisanal savoir‑faire with rigorous quality standards.

1. Lead and organise daily operations of the jewellery atelier to deliver haute joaillerie collections on schedule and to exacting quality standards.
2. Supervise, coach and develop a multidisciplinary team of bench jewellers, setters, polishers and finishers; manage recruitment and performance assessments.
3. Validate technical drawings, production plans and work orders; translate design intent into manufacturable processes and time estimates.
4. Ensure rigorous quality control at every stage — fitting, setting, soldering and finishing — and implement corrective actions when required.
5. Coordinate with design, product development, gemology and procurement teams to resolve technical issues and optimise workflows.
6. Manage resource allocation and capacity planning; prioritise orders, allocate tasks and maintain delivery timelines for bespoke and collection pieces.
7. Maintain atelier tooling, equipment and technical documentation; oversee preventative maintenance and calibration of precision instruments.
8. Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on craftsmanship techniques, yield, cost control and compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

1. Professional diploma or technical qualification in jewellery-making, precious metalwork or a related craft; equivalent apprenticeship experience accepted.
2. Demonstrable leadership experience managing a jewellery workshop or production team within haute joaillerie or fine jewellery.
3. Advanced mastery of traditional bench techniques: stone setting, micro-soldering, hand finishing and complex assembly.
4. Proven ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications and production blueprints.
5. Track record of implementing quality-control processes and mentoring senior and junior craftspeople.
6. Strong organisational skills with experience in production planning, scheduling and resource management.

1. Stone setting (pavé, channel, prong, bezel, invisible)
2. Micro-soldering and precision soldering
3. Hand finishing and polishing
4. Jewellery assembly and mechanical linking
5. Technical drawing interpretation
6. Quality control methodologies for high jewellery
7. Workshop leadership and team coaching
8. Capacity planning and production scheduling
9. Tooling and equipment maintenance
10. Bespoke production and prototyping oversight

Extensive experience in haute joaillerie or fine‑jewellery production, with several years leading an atelier or production team; demonstrable success delivering complex, high‑value pieces to exacting standards.

Vocational diploma or professional certification in jewellery making, metallurgy or related craft, or equivalent apprenticeship training.

The maison places supreme value on artisanal excellence, preserving time-honoured techniques while encouraging discreet innovation. The workplace cultivates mentorship, inter‑disciplinary collaboration and meticulous attention to detail across design and production teams.