Buyer Accounts Manager in City of Westminster

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Review and approve bids pre-sale to ensure appropriate client history is in place or financial references are obtained for high value sales.
• Top lot bidder vetting.
• Payment collection of a variety of sales as determined by the Line Manager, ensuring all outstanding buyer debt is settled.
• Investigate and resolve any discrepancies or billing issues.
• Monitor the Aged Debt report and resolve outstanding debts.
• Ensure all KYC (Know Your Client) and Compliance requirements are in place for successful bidders.
• Communicate carefully regarding third party payments as proscribed in our Terms and Conditions, ensuring management and resolution are handled in a timely manner.
• Post incoming wire transfers and perform daybook reconciliation for the UK, with support for France and Belgium banking reconciliation.
• Identify potential bad debt risks and take proactive measures to mitigate them.
• Handle communication with banned and restricted buyers.
• Process non-standard aftersales, private sale and sundry invoices in line with any current delegation of authority.
• Process cancelled sales, allowances and issue buyer refunds in line with any current delegation of authority.
• Deal with both external clients and internal colleagues in person, on the phone or by email; all in an efficient and courteous manner.
• Support the Client Service team and manage customer account complaints/queries they may elevate to Credit Control.
• Work closely with the Client Service Sale Liaisons and Expert Departments to manage overdue settlements and vendor expectations.
• Offer support and assistance to Credit Control Teams throughout the worldwide Bonhams Group where needed.
• Occasional weekend work, and attendance at offsite sales and European Offices.
• Safeguard the security and confidentiality of client information at all times.

In addition to the tasks and responsibilities listed, you may be required to perform other duties as assigned by your Managers. As a Buyer's Account Manager, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the financial health of our business while maintaining positive relationships with our clients. Responsible for the collection of buyer payments from a portfolio of luxury auction sales. Offering good client service both internally to colleagues, and externally to clients. You will be confident in dealing with people from all over the world, numerate and with excellent spoken and written English (a second language is an advantage). The role will include the management of a variety of sales in the UK and occasionally in Paris and Europe; with support for a range of sister companies throughout the world. Therefore, the ability to communicate confidently with our international buyers is key. The ability to work under pressure and to deadlines is also key.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Buyer Account Management role or in the Auction Industry preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills both written and oral, confidence in dealing directly with clients.
• Numerate and with good spoken and written English (second language an advantage).
• Good word processing skills, experience of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent time management and organisation skills with the ability to work in a high pressure and reactive environment.
• Attention to detail, organised and methodical.
• Flexibility and the ability to be a team player.
• A high standard of confidentiality and discretion.

Founded in 1793, Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams' global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.