Christie's Department Assistant

About Christie's

Founded in London in 1766 by James Christie, Christie’s is a leading international auction house whose heritage spans fine art, decorative arts, jewellery and exceptional collectibles. Through auctions, private sales and digital platforms, it connects collectors with remarkable objects and the expertise that brings their histories to life. As an employer, Christie’s offers career paths across specialist departments, client services, marketing, technology and operations within a global, culturally rich environment. Its work calls for intellectual curiosity, discretion and meticulous attention to detail, appealing to professionals who value scholarship, commercial acumen and the exacting standards of the international art and luxury markets.

Christie’s seeks a Department Assistant to support its New York Wine, Handbags & Accessories departments, assisting specialists and business management with consignments, auction preparation and exhibitions. The temporary role includes departmental administration, lot research, client inquiries, cataloguing support and sale logistics, with work required throughout Luxury Week exhibitions, including weekends; compensation is $22–$24 per hour.

Role & Responsibilities

• Perform general departmental administrative tasks as assigned by the line manager.
• Keep data up to date in Christie’s internal systems.
• Research lots for authenticity, bibliography, provenance and exhibition history using publications, libraries and online resources.
• Respond to client inquiries for condition reports, images and fact sheets.
• Assist cataloguers with cataloguing, condition checks and images as needed.
• Assist sale coordinators with sale logistics and department inventory.
• Support sale coordinators and specialists with exhibition tasks throughout the building, including set-up and breakdown.
• Work closely, efficiently and effectively with other specialist departments as needed.
• Work all exhibition dates during Luxury Week, including the weekend.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a passionate commitment to client service and manage service-level details with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Be proactive, self-starting and able to organize multiple projects simultaneously while remaining calm under pressure.
• Engage consistently and gracefully with a range of clients, from external vendors and top clients to senior management and peers.
• Have strong knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Have strong follow-up skills and attention to detail.
• Be willing to work long hours and go above and beyond to support a team environment.
• Show an interest in the luxury market; a focus on handbags or wine is preferred.

Skills

Workplace

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 22 to USD 24 per hour.

Culture

Christie’s workplace culture centres on specialist expertise, intellectual curiosity and a shared appreciation for art and exceptional objects, with discretion and attentive client service shaping its professional environment. Its international auction business brings together specialists and colleagues across disciplines, combining a distinguished heritage with an evolving approach to digital engagement and the global art market.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.