Head of Private Sales, 20/21 APAC

The Role

Responsible for leading 20th and 21st Century Art private sales in Asia, this role expands a growing global private sales team that has achieved record breaking sales over the past several years. Working discreetly with international buyers and sellers to facilitate sales, this role is also responsible for partnering with the Global Head, GMD, and other Private Sale leaders to develop and implement the strategic goals for the group, oversee exhibition strategy, and work closely with international colleagues to support global sales. This role is both a strong individual driver of sales, but also a connector amongst the international team, using Christie’s global network and renowned brand to help colleagues identify opportunities and link them to bring sales to completion. 

Specific duties & responsibilities will include but are not limited to

·       Drive sales, both individually and as a key facilitator of communication amongst the global Christie’s team, identifying and connecting opportunities throughout Christie’s global network.

·       Focus on continuing private sales growth within the cluster by developing a robust pipeline and managing inventory and opportunities; drive and organise private sale hilling sessions and pricing meetings with the relevant teams

·       Maintain margins on private sale deals to ensure profitiablity targets are met and in line with the overall budget

·       Engage as an active leader, working with the GMD, Business Director, and Global Head of Private Sales, in setting and implementing the global Private Sales strategy

·       Increase collaboration between departments, chairman’s office and regions to optimize private sales (both for consignments and sales), working to review key clients and regions for activation of private sale opportunities

·       Regularly review top clients with colleagues ensuring appropriate Private Sales strategies are in place, particularly during post-auction reviews

·       Participate in forums such as masterpiece reviews, regional client reviews to drive private sales

·       Provide oversight of the strategy, sourcing and selling of private sales exhibitions

·       Project manage key private sales projects and initiatives

·       Work with the Business Director and Private Sales team to identify and address process improvements, resource needs and business efficiencies to eliminate roadblocks and catalyze growth

·       Work with the Marketing, PR and private sales teams on related PR & marketing initiatives

·       In conjunction with the Business Director,  oversee the monitoring and measuring of sales and profitability targets

·       Other duties as assigned by manager

The Candidate

·       Minimum of 10 years of art market experience, preferably in the secondary market with significant client management and sales experience.

·       Fluent in English and Mandarin (preferred not essential)

·       Strong understanding of our business, Auction and Private Sales experience preferred

·       Financial acumen and sales experience

·       Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from colleagues and clients

·       Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists

·       Effective people manager

·       Excellent interpersonal, influencing and communication skills

·       Marketing savvy