Christie's Specialist, 20th and 21st Century Art
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 Specialist role in 20th and 21st Century Art, Beijing. Drive art sales, manage client relationships, and coordinate auctions with Chinese language proficiency required.
Role & Responsibilities
- Identify and cultivate relationships with all client categories including collectors, dealers, corporations, and institutions, with particular focus on high-value property sales
- Actively source and participate in departmental sales and business development initiatives
- Serve as liaison between overseas specialists and internal teams, generating long-term business opportunities through appraisals and client reconnection
- Review incoming inquiries to assess property sale potential and determine pricing through collaborative sessions
- Research and write catalogue essays, including authentication, provenance, bibliography, and exhibition history documentation
- Coordinate catalogue production, layout, and condition reporting of consigned property
- Participate in telephone bidding support and auction coordination during sale events
- Organize and oversee pre-sale exhibition setup and coordinate marketing materials and press information
- Attend and analyze competitor auctions, tracking results and market trends
- Represent Christie's at art fairs, events, and industry functions
- Execute pre-sale marketing and targeted promotional activities for upcoming auctions
- Complete special projects and assignments as directed by management
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Art History or equivalent professional experience (Master's degree preferred)
- Minimum 5 years of paid work experience in fine art, auction, or related field
- Demonstrated expertise in art appraisal and business development
- Demonstrated proficiency in Chinese language (Mandarin)
- Comprehensive knowledge of the auction business and fine art market dynamics
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Email, Spreadsheet, Word Processing, Presentation software)
- Ability to master Christie's internal systems including COS, JDE, intranet, and website platforms
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Superior client service orientation and relationship management abilities
- Strong multitasking capabilities with meticulous attention to detail
- Proven follow-up and organizational competencies
Skills
Experience
Minimum 5 years of paid professional work experience in fine art, auction house operations, gallery management, or a closely related field demonstrating expertise in art handling, sales coordination, and client management.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Art History or equivalent professional experience in the fine art sector. Master's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related discipline is preferred.
Workplace
The role is situated in Beijing, Beijing, China.
Benefits
Discretionary bonus, annual leave and company holidays, commercial medical insurance and life insurance, employee assistance program, comprehensive wellness allowance and wellness programs
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 «Art Market Specialist», «Contemporary Art Consultant», «Fine Art Cataloguer», «Auction Specialist», «Art Department Specialist», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.