- Location
- New York City New York USA
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Senior
- Compensation
- $110,000–140,000/year
- Department
- Merchandising, Buying & Planning
- Industry
- Wines, Spirits & Gastronomy
- Posted
- Oct 22, 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 seeks a Senior Spirits Specialist in New York to source and inspect auction consignments across the Americas, develop client and trade relationships, and manage auction activity from valuation through sale. The role requires at least 8 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in auctions, and offers an annual salary range of $110,000–$140,000, excluding discretionary bonus compensation and overtime pay.
Role & Responsibilities
- Source, evaluate, price, and secure spirits consignments for domestic and international auctions.
- Arrange and coordinate on-site client visits and collection pack-ups.
- Conduct regular warehouse visits and inspections, entering information into Christie’s cataloguing databases.
- Project-manage the full auction lifecycle, including coordinating lot photography and working with marketing and creative teams on auction initiatives.
- Write and prepare catalogue essays and producer headers.
- Build long-term relationships with novice and seasoned spirits collectors, local trade clients, and producers; attend networking tastings and dinner events.
- Work with Client Strategy and regional representatives to develop programming and strategize consignment targeting.
- Negotiate competitive deals that are compelling to sellers and financially sound for the company.
- Follow established processes and approval matrices when structuring and negotiating deals.
- Work across the Rockefeller Center offices and the Wine & Spirits warehouse.
Qualifications
- At least 8 years of professional experience in a comparable spirits-related role, preferably in auctions, with sound market knowledge of current pricing and authentication trends.
- WSET Advanced Certification (L3) or comparable education preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of domestic and international client relationship management.
- Skilled in rare spirits valuation and commercial deal negotiation.
- Ability to lead by example and collaborate cross-functionally in a large organization.
- Strong project-management ability, with accountability for the full sale process and the ability to prioritize multiple deadlines.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
- Discretion and ability to work with confidential information.
- Strong attention to detail.
Skills
Experience
At least 8 years of professional experience in a comparable spirits-related role, preferably in auctions.
Education
WSET Advanced Certification (L3) or comparable education preferred.
Workplace
This position is based in New York City, New York, USA.
Explore jobs in the USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 110,000 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 of 3× 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 up to 16 weeks of 100% paid family leave; fitness-fee and membership reimbursement up to $600 per year; annual discretionary performance bonus plan; commuter benefits, including 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 for charity work; 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.
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 «Senior Spirits Auction Specialist», «Senior Spirits Valuation Specialist», «Senior Spirits Consignment Specialist», «Senior Spirits Expert», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.