Head of Furniture, Ceramic, Glass and Collectables
Sandton
R-Neg

Renowned art gallery and auction house seeks to appoint a Head of Furniture, Ceramic, Glass and Collectables Items. The purpose of the role is to manage a specialist team and to consign, catalogue, and evaluate items as well as maintain and build client relationships/client database.

Our client seeks an individual who is able to work independently, a self-starter who is deadline focused, results orientated and able to work under pressure.

REQUIREMENTS:
• Relevant Arts Degree or Diploma or equivalent experience / track record.
• Must have good knowledge and an enthusiastic interest in furniture and/or ceramics.
• Must have good knowledge in history of art.
• Thoroughly enjoy research.
• Passionate about decorative art.
• Supervisory skills.
• Strong client centricity.
• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Fluent in English and Afrikaans.
• Own vehicle and a valid driver’s license is essential.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Consigning and Sourcing
• Source good quality, high value items for sale at auction within area of responsibility.
• Networking with antique dealers, private collectors, interior decorators and companies.
• Conduct regular house visits.
• Ensure that items consigned are properly administered and safeguarded.

Valuations
• Do valuations for insurance purposes.
• Conduct valuations for walk-in clients, electronic and telephonic enquiries, house visits and corporate clients.

Catalogue Production
• Research items consigned to be able to catalogue them correctly.
• Catalogue works following guidelines and standards.
• Proof read the catalogue once the draft lot-order has been established.
• Supervise photography of items for the catalogue production, choosing best items for the catalogue, arranging the photographer, setting items out and selecting images once produced.
• Work with the Graphic Designer to decide on the catalogue layout.
• Do final check of ‘dummy’ catalogue and sign-off as correct and complete.

Client Relationships
• Correspond with clients on a daily basis often initiated by an enquiry.
• Keep clients updated with auction dates, details, items of interest and relevant catalogue information.
• Attend to client complaints.
• Mine the client database to ensure that clients are informed of items of interest.
• Match clients to items for auction.
• Follow-up with new and old clients as necessary to obtain information, receive stock, consign further etc.
• Expand and maintain the client database.

Auction Arrangements
• Design and display furniture, ceramics and other items for auction preview.
• Attend public viewing days to provide advice, information and to promote and receive any absentee bids.
• Compile condition reports as per the client’s request.
• Attend the auction and help with either administration or telephone bidding as per schedule.
• Liaise and attend to enquiries at the auction as referred or as arises.
• Assist with payment and collections as required within the team.

Post Auction Sales
• Review list of unsold items from the auction and contact potential buyers to purchase these items.
• Inform sellers of the auction results with regards to their items.
• Check that unsold stock is stored safely and accounted for.
• Contact sellers whose items have not been sold to collect their items within a specified period or arrange with them for their items to be re-offered.

Private Treaty Sales
• Contact relevant clients when items come in who would be interested to purchase these independently of the auction and negotiate a sale.

Events and Exhibitions
• Attend company functions in Johannesburg or outer-lying areas as necessary, which duties may entail client registration, hosting, and advisory services.
• Attend exhibitions and fares to network, promote the Company.

Promotion of Company Image and Brand
• Conduct press/radio/TV interviews as required.

Management
• Manage a small team of specialists.
• Attend and participate in management meetings.
• Supervise logistics staff.

Projects and General Marketing Support
• Participate in projects and initiatives as required.