Head of Art Sales — London (Maternity Cover)

Fixed-term contract · On-site with some flexible working

RHODES is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of Sales to join our London gallery on a fixed-term maternity cover contract. This is a senior, client-facing role with primary responsibility for generating sales across our artist exhibitions, limited-edition print releases, private sales, commissions and art fair activity. Based at our gallery on Great Portland Street, London, the successful candidate will act as the central driver of sales activity, leading client relationships, managing opportunities and helping to deliver ambitious commercial targets across the business.

This role would suit someone with several years’ experience in an art gallery, auction house or wider art-market sales environment. Candidates with relevant experience in high-end luxury sales will also be considered, particularly where they can demonstrate experience managing high-value client relationships, negotiating sales and delivering against commercial targets. The successful candidate will need to be confident selling art, developing collector relationships, managing negotiations and representing RHODES with professionalism, discretion and commercial focus.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and executing the gallery’s sales strategy across exhibitions, fairs, private sales and artist releases.
• Taking responsibility for achieving and exceeding weekly, monthly and annual sales targets.
• Managing sales enquiries from initial contact through to negotiation, close, invoicing and aftercare.
• Maintaining and developing relationships with collectors, advisors, institutions and other art-market contacts.
• Identifying and cultivating new sales opportunities across existing and prospective clients.
• Developing sales strategies where demand exceeds available inventory, including commission opportunities where appropriate.
• Managing CRM systems, client records, sales pipelines and follow-up activity.
• Driving sales activity at gallery exhibitions, private views, UK art fairs and international art fairs.
• Hosting collectors, advisors and VIP guests at gallery events, fairs and private appointments.
• Working with the Founder / Director on pricing, placement, artist positioning and sales approach.
• Coordinating with logistics, finance, marketing and operations to ensure a smooth client and sales process.
• Representing RHODES professionally at gallery events, private views, art fairs and selected evening events.

About You

We are looking for someone who is commercially focused, highly organised and confident operating at a senior level within a client-facing sales environment. The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Several years’ experience in an art gallery, auction house, art-market sales environment or relevant high-end luxury sales role.
• A proven track record of selling art or high-value luxury goods or services.
• Experience managing collector, client or high-net-worth relationships.
• Confidence handling sales conversations, negotiations, objections and sensitive client discussions.
• Experience working to, managing and exceeding commercial targets.
• Strong knowledge of the contemporary art market, or a clear ability to transfer relevant sales experience into the art sector.
• Experience using CRM systems, inventory systems and digital sales tools.
• A high level of IT literacy, ideally with confidence using relevant art-industry technology.
• An understanding of social media platforms and how they can support client engagement, artist visibility and sales opportunities.

You will be professional, courteous and discreet, with excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust with collectors, artists, advisors and internal teams. You should be comfortable working independently while also contributing positively to a small, ambitious and hard-working team.

Benefits and Culture

At RHODES, we value a supportive, collaborative and enjoyable working environment. Our ethos is centred around ambition, hard work, professionalism and mutual support. The successful candidate will benefit from:

• A competitive basic salary, dependent on experience.
• Quarterly and annual performance bonus opportunities.
• A flexible working policy, while recognising the client-facing nature of the role.
• The opportunity to lead sales at a respected and growing London gallery.
• Direct involvement with artists, collectors, advisors and the gallery’s senior leadership.
• Exposure to UK and international art fairs, including international travel opportunities.
• A senior, high-impact role within a gallery experiencing strong demand for its artists’ work.
• The opportunity to work across exhibitions, private sales, limited-edition releases, commissions and fairs.
• A collaborative small-team environment with meaningful responsibility and visibility.
• Complimentary refreshments in the gallery, including fresh fruit, snacks and drinks.
• Regular team meals and social occasions around key events, celebrations and ad-hoc team gatherings.
• Team reward and recognition moments following busy periods, successful events or demanding projects.
• An annual summer Wellness Day.
• An annual Christmas dinner and evening out.
• Potential for the role to extend beyond the maternity cover period, subject to performance and business needs.

Working Arrangement

This role is based at RHODES’s London gallery at 65 Great Portland Street. The position is full-time, Monday - Friday and will require regular gallery presence, as well as attendance at selected evening events, private views, art fairs and external art-related occasions. RHODES operates a flexible working policy, while recognising that this is a client-facing and gallery-based sales role requiring in-person availability. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.

How to Apply

Please send a CV and a short covering letter, no longer than one side of A4, to: Please use the subject line: Head of Sales Application — [Your Name] Due to the seniority and commercial nature of this role, applicants should be able to demonstrate directly relevant experience in art sales, art-market sales or a closely related high-value luxury sales environment. Applications should clearly outline relevant sales experience, client relationship management experience and experience working to commercial targets. RHODES welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds who meet the requirements of the role. We are committed to upholding a professional, respectful and inclusive working environment.