Head of Private Sales, Impressionist & Modern Art, EMEA

This role is responsible for leading Impressionist & Modern Art private sales for Christie’s in Europe. Working discreetly with international buyers and sellers to facilitate sales, this role is also responsible for partnering with the Global Head, GMD, and other Private Sale leaders to develop and implement the strategic goals for the group, oversee exhibition strategy, and work closely with international colleagues to support global sales. This role is both a strong individual driver of sales, but also a connector amongst the international team, using Christie’s global network to help colleagues identify opportunities and bring sales to completion.

Why This Role Matters

• Drive sales, both individually and as a key facilitator amongst the global Christie’s team, identifying and connecting opportunities across the organisation to increase transactions.
• Focus on continuing private sales growth within the cluster by developing a robust pipeline and managing inventory and opportunities; drive and organise private sale hilling sessions and pricing meetings with the relevant teams.
• Maintain margins on private sale deals to ensure profitability targets are met and in line with the overall budget.
• Engage as an active leader, working with the GMD, Business Director, and Global Head of Private Sales, in setting and implementing the global Private Sales strategy.
• Partner effectively with Americas and APAC counterpart(s) to develop a global approach to the Impressionist & Modern Art Private Sales business and leverage opportunities across regions.
• Increase collaboration between departments, chairman’s office and regions to optimize private sales (both for consignments and sales), working to review key clients and regions for activation of private sale opportunities.
• Regularly review top clients with colleagues ensuring appropriate Private Sales strategies are in place, particularly during post-auction reviews.
• Participate in forums such as masterpiece reviews, regional client reviews to drive private sales.
• Assist and advise on business getting proposals as well as taking part in client discussions and presentations to win business.
• Provide oversight of the strategy, sourcing and selling of private sales exhibitions.
• Project manage key private sales projects and initiatives.
• Work with the Business Director and Private Sales team to identify and address process improvements, resource needs and business efficiencies to eliminate roadblocks and catalyse growth.
• Work with the Marketing, PR and private sales teams on related PR & marketing initiatives.
• In conjunction with the Business Director, oversee the monitoring and measuring of sales and profitability targets.

What you’ll Bring to the Team

• Minimum of 10 years of art market experience, preferably in the secondary market with significant client management and sales experience.
• Strong understanding of our business; Auction and Private Sales experience preferred.
• Financial acumen and sales experience.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Strong client service skills.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from colleagues and clients.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Effective people manager.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills.
• Marketing savvy.

What’s great about working for us

• 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave.
• Christie’s Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 1st Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family.
• Additional 1 week’s annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on.
• Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that’s important to you.
• Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about.
• Flexible Fitness Fund - £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable).
• Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues.
• Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year).
• Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie’s).
• Private Health Insurance – no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members.
• Dental Insurance – (may be extended at personal cost).
• Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months.
• Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day.
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to personal advice and support services including counselling.
• Eyecare vouchers (once a year).
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Christie’s Extras – discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops.
• Seniorcare by Lottie, a comprehensive eldercare solution.
• Family First Policy.
• 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave.
• Eligible to return to work for 80% of your agreed normal weekly working pattern while being paid as though you were working 100%, post a minimum of 16 weeks of leave.
• Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year.
• Christies Family Network: Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…

Christie’s reserves the right to change company benefits at any time.