In your role as Specialist, you will be required to carry out the following:

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

· Business getting for the department to fulfil the budgets set for the department sales

· Work with the Head of Department on strategies to encourage new business opportunities for the department

· Maintain and support the ongoing development of a database of customers - both buyers and sellers - for the department

· Maintain contact with established collectors to encourage further business with the company, either as buyers or sellers

· Maintain contact with established trade contacts to encourage further business with the company

· Attend sale days and participate in the auction, conducting telephone bids to major clients.

· Liaise with the Head of Department on the production of an advertising and marketing campaign, within the budgets set, to promote the business getting and sales activities of the department

· To satisfactorily complete, as and when required, the valuation of customer's property both in the office and at other venues within the UK and Europe

· Support the junior specialists of the team to encourage their development and knowledge of the market

· Coordinate and support the team in producing the catalogues/online sale to ensure timely delivery to printers/publishing online

· Assist on exhibition events, either in the UK or worldwide as and when required

· Maintain an awareness of our competitors' strategies to maintain the competitive position of this department in the market

· To promote the department through lectures and other promotional events

· Supervise and maintain professional internal relationships with co-workers

· Good market and trend awareness

· Degree holder or equivalent

· A good level of specialist expertise achieved through a previous role

· Proven business acumen and valuation skills

· A network of contacts (or) willingness to build up such a portfolio

· Functional working knowledge of the whole auction process and related procedures (e.g. shipping regulations, VAT)

· Flexible and receptive to change

· Excellent time management and organisation skills

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral

· Able to work as part of team, and independently

· Able to work to tight deadlines and under pressure

· Excellent attention to detail

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.

About the Team

The Old Master department at Bonhams in London is made up of a small team of three specialists and a cataloguer.
Our busy team puts together five sales a year in London (three online and two live fine sales) and contributes to two further auctions in Paris. Selling in excess of about 800 lots a year, we offer a huge variety of works at a wide range of price points. We collaborate extensively with our colleagues in Paris, regularly attending and supporting the sales there. The Old Master department is also often very involved with the House sales and Single Owner collections offered in separate sales both in London and Paris.