Temporary Associate Handbags Specialist

About Sotheby'S

Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

The Role

The Handbags Specialist is responsible for sourcing luxury bags and accessories for Auction and Private Sale. The Associate Specialist will provide pricing and valuation services to clients and authenticate bags. Additionally, the Associate Specialist will be responsible for building buyer relationships and partnering with internal teams including Catalogers, Account Managers, Coordinators and Relationship Managers.

Responsibilities

• Business-getting for Auctions across major selling Europe locations (Zurich, London, Paris)
• Inspect and authenticate properties in all Europe locations
• Work with Head of department and Marketing teams to promote all Auctions and Private Sales initiatives
• Outreach to auction bidders and buyers to build relationships
• Outreach to Sotheby’s Relationship Managers to ensure internal awareness of all sales happening in this category
• Provide regular analysis of auction data to the Head of Department
• Provide pricing, terms of consignment, and other deal-specific information to consignors
• Ensure that product photography is executed properly
• Work collaboratively with team Administrators and Coordinators to facilitate smooth handoff of information and positive client experiences
• Participate in regular pipeline meetings to keep Head of Department aware of progress for Auction and Salon channels
• Regular travel will be required as part of the role. Position based in Zurich.

Ideal Experience & Competencies

• Bachelor’s Degree required, ideally in relevant area of study/interest
• Experience authenticating Hermes and Chanel bags and accessories  
• Expert product knowledge of Hermes and Chanel bags and accessories including market value, limited editions, most popular models, styles, colors etc 
• Experience in auction house, second-hand luxury marketplace or luxury ecommerce  
• Interest in luxury brands, resale and ecommerce businesses
• Enthusiastic, proactive, and flexible 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills : Fluency in English is compulsory, French is a plus
• Excellent interpersonal skills; capable of building meaningful client relationships
• Ability to work independently and as part of a busy, global team
• Ability to maintain the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion
• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Suite, tech savvy

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