Christie's Private Sales Specialist, Old Master Paintings

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

• Lead Christie’s Old Master Paintings private sales channel and, with the Private Sales Business Director, formulate and sustain a long-term global strategy for effective delivery across all regions.
• Drive sales individually and facilitate opportunities across the global Christie’s team to increase transactions.
• Grow private sales within the cluster by developing a robust pipeline, managing inventory and opportunities, and organizing international private sale pricing meetings with relevant teams.
• Maintain deal margins in line with profitability targets and the overall budget.
• Help set and implement global Private Sales strategy with the GMD, Global Head and Business Director.
• Partner with EMEA, Americas and APAC colleagues on a global Old Masters Private Sales approach and regional opportunities.
• Increase collaboration across departments, the chairman’s office and regions to optimize consignments and sales, reviewing key clients and regions to activate private sale opportunities.
• Support specialists on private sale works, including sourcing, developing, closing and maintaining profitability; collaborate with the Private Sales researcher, Client Strategy and Object Intelligence team to match objects with clients and close transactions.
• Oversee cataloguing, research and note-writing for private sale works; conduct due diligence on attribution, provenance, exhibition history and literature, including contacting experts and writing on works.
• Liaise with the Restitution team to verify wartime provenance.
• Review condition reports prepared by external restorers.
• Review top clients with colleagues and ensure appropriate Private Sales strategies, particularly during post-auction reviews.
• Participate in forums such as masterpiece reviews and regional client reviews to drive private sales.
• Advise on business-getting proposals and participate in client discussions and presentations to win business.
• Oversee strategy, sourcing and sales for private sales exhibitions.
• Project-manage key private sales projects and initiatives.
• Work with the Business Director and Private Sales team to improve processes, address resource needs and increase efficiencies to remove roadblocks and support growth.
• Work with Marketing, PR and Private Sales teams on related PR and marketing initiatives.
• With the Business Director, oversee monitoring and measurement of sales and profitability targets.
• Support the Auctions departments in collaboration with Heads of Departments and the Head of Sales; report to the Global Business Director for Private Sales and the regional Head of Department.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of art market experience, preferably in the secondary market, with significant client management and sales experience.
• Educational background in Art History and professional experience in Old Masters.
• Strong understanding of the business; auction and private sales experience preferred.
• Financial acumen and sales experience.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong client service skills.
• Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from colleagues and clients.
• Ability to solve practical problems and manage varied concrete situations with limited standardization.
• Effective people manager.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills.
• Marketing savvy.

Skills

Experience

At least 10 years of art market experience, preferably in the secondary market, with significant client management and sales experience; professional experience in Old Masters.

Education

Educational background in Art History.

Compensation

The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 120,000 to USD 140,000 per annum.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision plans for employees and dependents, with Christie’s paying an average of 80% of total premiums; 401(k) matching contributions up to 5%, subject to IRS limits; life insurance at three times base salary up to $400,000, fully paid by Christie’s; disability insurance, fully paid by Christie’s; generous time-off and leave policies, including 100% paid family leave for up to 16 weeks; fitness fee and membership reimbursement up to $600 per year; annual discretionary performance bonus plan; pre-tax commuter benefits with a $21 monthly Christie’s contribution; up to 10 days of backup child or elder care through Bright Horizons; one paid CSR day per year; and perks and discounts through Zo and Plum Benefits.

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.

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