ABOUT SOTHEBY'S
Established in 1744, Sotheby's is the world's premier destination for art and luxury. Synonymous with innovation, Sotheby's promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions, private sales and retail locations. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.
THE ROLE
This is a trainee position to learn the function of the Valuations Manager role and the skills needed to successfully manage and produce valuations of all types. Valuations range from a single item to high volume, multi-category projects. Valuations have different purposes: sale, tax, insurance, loan collateral, family division etc. The Associate Valuations Manager is expected to learn all technical and legal nuances surrounding valuations, including adhering to internal compliance requirements and departmental best practice. The role will involve liaising with internal stakeholders i.e. specialist departments, regional offices, business-getters etc. and, at times, will be client-facing. The position will be supervised by senior Valuations Managers.
DEADLINE: 6 FEBRUARY 2023
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supporting the entire valuation process from beginning to end by learning how to: carry out the initial walk-through to assess the scope of the exercise; estimate timeline and fee; identify the appropriate specialist team; prepare the brief and experts' working notes; oversee post-visit production; coordinate all internal specialist proofs keeping to strict deadlines; proof-read documents to a high standard and ensure consistency across all categories; make corrections on the valuation system; coordinate production and binding of final documents
- Making all pre-visit arrangements including booking specialists, valuers and consultants; confirming the itinerary; making all necessary travel arrangements; and managing expenses
- Post-visit monitoring the valuation's progress, managing the production work in conjunction with the production coordinator, ensuring instructions and deadlines are clearly communicated to result in the successful completion of the project
- Liaising with Sotheby's expert departments regarding queries and valuation details ensuring valuations are produced to the highest standards of accuracy and in a timely manner, meeting often demanding deadlines
- Coordinating diaries and all associated valuation paperwork for internal meetings such as live reviews, taking notes, writing up memos and maintaining organised files
- Working on the valuation system i.e.: inputting data correctly; uploading spreadsheets; making corrections; formatting documents correctly; and creating bespoke valuations when required
- Creating spreadsheets and providing data analysis when required
- Learning Sotheby's technical valuation guidelines, principles and best practice for every valuation scenario and applying this knowledge when undertaking valuations
- Maintaining and updating all valuation databases, files, and spreadsheets, keeping extensive data records up to date
- Working with client strategy, tax & heritage, proposals, the wider business development team, expert departments, operations, and regional offices as necessary to support business getting
- Liaising with finance when required, raising invoices and chasing settlement if necessary
- Offering a thorough and excellent service to clients in line with corporate standards, acting as an ambassador for Sotheby's, in both manner and appearance
- Maintaining complete client confidentiality at all times, adhering to GDPR requirements, and all internal compliance surrounding clients and their personal information.
- Dealing with general correspondence, enquiries, and administration in support of the hod and senior valuations managers, as required
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- A minimum of 3 years' experience at an international auction house is required
- Demonstrable experience working in the area of valuations is required, along with familiarity in
- Producing valuations for insurance, government indemnity, sale at auction, sale by private treaty, family division, loan collateral, taxation, acceptance in lieu, conditional exemption claims, rental negotiations, and retrospective valuations
- Have a background in art history, or an interest and willingness to learn about fine and decorative art
- Educated to graduate standard, ideally with a ba or ma in the history of art
- Be computer literate along with advanced microsoft excel skills
- Possess good photography skills
- Fluency in english along with fluency in at least one other european language required
- Knowledge of sotheby's services, corporate culture and departments is essential
- Practical knowledge of the sotheby's valuation system is essential
- Ability to communicate professionally and confidently, both verbally and in writing
- Possess excellent client service skills (diplomacy, sensitivity, maturity, self-assurance and discretion)
- Have an organised and methodical approach to work and high attention to detail
- Be self-motivated and able to work effectively alone using own initiative, as well as part of a team
- Possess commercial awareness and business acumen, along with demonstrable numerical and analytical skills
- Be a resourceful problem solver
- Ability to work under pressure, coordinate a busy schedule and prioritise workload, meeting tight deadlines
- Flexible approach to working hours and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally when required
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The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.