Christie's Design 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.

Role & Responsibilities

• Research works for upcoming sales using Christie’s onsite libraries, public libraries in New York City, auction databases and other relevant internet resources.
• Assist with provenance, exhibition history and literary research.
• Assist cataloguers at the Rockefeller Center and Red Hook, Brooklyn warehouses.
• Obtain copyright clearance for images used in sales and catalogue production.
• Enter information and edits into Christie’s databases.
• Support proposal preparation.
• Assist with the collection and delivery of bespoke items to clients’ homes, handling items carefully and exercising discretion with Christie’s top patrons.
• Assist with installation for auction previews.
• Maintain the department library and consignor files.
• Respond to client inquiries about condition reports, images and fact sheets.
• Support general auction production by editing images, writing short texts as needed and formatting detailed caption documents for designers.
• Manage scheduling, including meetings and offsite travel, on behalf of specialists.
• Reconcile corporate card expenses and submit them for approval using internal systems.
• Compose and edit client communications as required.
• Assist specialists with client relationships, including meeting arrangements, mailings, correspondence and follow-up actions for visits.
• Answer and screen incoming telephone calls.
• Greet clients on behalf of the business getter.
• Perform general administrative tasks assigned by the line manager.

Qualifications

• Hard-working, energetic and intellectually curious self-starter able to thrive in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Ability to multitask and manage several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to prioritize and meet all deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple groups and sites.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and solve problems creatively.
• Strong follow-up and attention to detail.
• Excel proficiency; familiarity with Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, match formulas and macros is a plus.
• Additional language skills are desirable but not mandatory.
• Must be an undergraduate or master’s student, or have graduated from an undergraduate or master’s program within the past year.

Skills

Education

Must be an undergraduate or master’s student, or have graduated from an undergraduate or master’s program within the past year.

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.