- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Entry-Level
- Compensation
- £30,000/year
- Posted
- Oct 27, 2026
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 Graduate Training Programme is a 12-month placement providing exposure to specialist art and support departments, with work spanning client service, auction coordination, research and financial administration. The trainee contributes to operational and client-experience projects, and the role offers a salary of £30,000 per year.
Role & Responsibilities
- Assist in cataloguing auction items, ensuring accurate descriptions and provenance.
- Research items thoroughly, including their historical context, previous ownership and market value.
- Collaborate with specialists to verify item condition and authenticity.
- Provide client service in person and through digital platforms.
- Assist clients with inquiries about auction processes, item details and bidding procedures.
- Support the client services team during auction previews and events.
- Assist with bidder registration and auction paddle management.
- Coordinate with auctioneers and other staff to support the efficient running of live and online auctions.
- Assist with payment processing and reconciliation of auction sales.
- Participate in structured learning modules and training sessions across departments.
- Engage in mentorship opportunities with senior staff and industry experts.
- Contribute to special projects and initiatives to improve auction house operations and client experience.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and efficiency.
- Present findings and recommendations to senior management.
Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree or higher, achieved by the start of the programme in September 2027.
- A combination of commercial or business education and art history education is preferred.
- Demonstrable passion for and interest in the art world.
- Commercial acumen and strategic thinking.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Fluent English is mandatory.
- Fluency in an additional language is preferred.
- Enthusiasm and dedication.
- Client focus and strong interpersonal qualities.
- Technology-native outlook.
- Strong interest in digital innovation.
- Collaborative, team-focused approach and ability to build a strong cross-departmental network.
- Exceptional client management skills.
Skills
Education
Bachelor's degree or higher, to be achieved by the start of the programme in September 2027. A combination of commercial or business education and art history education is preferred.
Workplace
This position is based in London, England, UK.
Explore jobs in England or in the UK.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position is GBP 30,000 per annum.
Benefits
25 days of annual leave plus one birthday leave day; office closure from 25 December to 2 January in addition to annual leave; an additional week of annual leave in the year of each five-year work anniversary; one volunteering day; donation matching up to £500 per year; a taxable £400 annual fitness and wellness expense allowance; access to gallery exhibitions and guided tours; discretionary bonus dependent on business and employee performance, payable in March; pension contributions double-matched up to 5% of the employee's basic salary, with a maximum 10% contribution from Christie’s; private health insurance at no employee contribution, with subsidised cover for family members; dental insurance, which may be extended at personal cost; income protection insurance; life insurance from the first day; Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling; Cycle to Work scheme; Seniorcare by Lottie; discounts through Christie’s Extras; 16 weeks of full pay on maternity leave; a four-day week at full pay for eight weeks on return from maternity leave; 10 sessions or days of dependent back-up childcare or eldercare per year; and access to the Stork Club parent community.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Christie's, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Graduate Associate», «Graduate Programme Trainee», «Graduate Business Trainee», «Graduate Auction House Trainee», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.