Receptionist in Warrington

To provide a friendly, efficient and effective reception service to customers, clients and colleagues in Chiswick Auctions 1 Roslin Square, including on the telephone.

Main contacts:

• Internal: Rest of client liaison staff (collections staff, Head of Client Services, other internal staff)
• External: customers, clients, couriers, post office, external suppliers

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Location: Based at 1 Roslin Square, W3 8DH

Chiswick Auctions is a privately owned, well-established London auction house which is fast becoming a major player in the international art market. The auction house employs around 55 staff. This post is based in 1 Roslin Square, and forms part of the client liaison service of the auction house.

Areas of responsibility include but are not limited to the following:

• Providing a friendly welcome and assisting with enquiries:
• Assist with all enquiries from members of the public, clients and internal colleagues regarding the services of Chiswick Auctions, directing people as required, and following up as necessary.
• Ensure that the brand of the company is communicated effectively.
• Ensure that the emails are forwarded to the right people.
• Answering the telephone:
• Ensure that the main line is answered within four rings (when possible) and that the call is dealt with effectively.
• Walk-in valuations:
• Ensure that walk-in valuations are directed to the right specialists in 1 or 6 Roslin Square, or managing the valuation according to procedures if the right specialist is not available.
• Organising collections from 1 Roslin Square:
• Ensure that collections of sold items are managed properly, and that the system is followed, including taking payments if required.
• Assist couriers and shippers when they come to collect sold items on behalf of clients.
• Follow the anti-money laundering procedures.
• Assisting other external suppliers with their deliveries and inform the right people within the business.
• Overseeing pre-sale deliveries:
• Ensure that pre-sale deliveries are stored safely and that the specialist is informed.
• Appearance of the reception space:
• Ensure that the reception area is presentable at all times, and kept free of clutter and rubbish.
• Other tasks as allocated by the Head of Client Services, Associate Directors, Executive Directors and Managing Director.

General:

• Ensure compliance with all internal policies and procedures and any relevant external bodies or processes.
• Participate in organization-wide meetings, activities and processes, and develop internal contacts, networks and interactions as appropriate.

Essential skills and experience:

• At least 2-3 years of providing a reception service in a busy environment e.g. a hotel, business, gallery, auction house, private members club, health club etc.
• Excellent client service skills including an approachable and friendly manner.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Excellent writing skills in English; excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including first class spoken English.
• Excellent IT competence and knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook.
• Ability to thrive within a fast-paced team environment, including the ability to prioritise multiple tasks.
• A ‘can-do’ attitude, an enquiring mind, and a willingness to actively seek out new responsibilities and opportunities.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• Experience of working in the arts industry e.g. auction house, gallery, museum, antique business etc.
• An interest in the arts, antiques and the cultural world more broadly.