Job Description

***Graduate Gemologist degree with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the Jewelry industry required***

***Previous auction house experience strongly desired***

If you would like to enhance your application, feel free to email your resume along with a cover letter to recruiting@murkandco.com.

This is a skilled position requiring experience in a similar role. If you do not have the required experience then please do not apply.

Murk & Co is an art world recruitment firm based in New York and servicing clients in the Americas. If you have at least 2 years of experience in the art world and are looking for positions more generally then email recruiting@murkandco.com with your resume and a cover letter describing what kinds of roles you are seeking and Murk & Co will get you registered as a candidate and be in touch as relevant roles arise.

POSITION SUMMARY

A US-based auction house is looking for a Vice President, Senior Specialist of Jewelry & Watches to manage the Chicago-based team for this high grossing department, overseeing workflow, processes, as well as mentorship of Cataloguers and support staff. The successful candidate will be responsible for business getting with both existing and new contacts, as well as building a strategy for growth for the department, with a personal territorial focus on the Midwest and West Coast. This work includes involvement in top-level consignments, national partnerships, marketing, and staffing. This position is also responsible for evaluating, authenticating, negotiating, and selecting a mix of property for each auction. The Senior Specialist may be involved in overseeing research, preparing and managing sales, as well as creating additional growth opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a senior contact for clients' inquiries, from the Midwest and West, regarding auctions, consignments, and appraisal services
• Proactively develop new opportunities to maintain and grow transactions with clients, especially private individuals
• Travel to support TEPC efforts and other business opportunities
• Evaluation and closing of consignments for auction
• Gemology work associated with the evaluation of property for auction, including: gem identification, carat weight calculation, and grading.
• Manage the junior staff within the Chicago office, with an eye toward individual skill development, working closely with the Department Head to address staffing needs
• Involvement in overseeing cataloging of consigned property, researching authenticity, provenance and reviewing client inquiries to determine sale potential
• Assist, as needed, in valuing property for IRS purposes (estate tax, gift tax, donation, etc.) and insurance appraisals
• Work with other Specialists to promote auctions by assisting clients at auction previews; speaking to clients about property; developing, tracking, and communicating client interest; and executing bids at auction
• Collaborate with other departments to develop strategies to reach new potential consignors and to ensure seamless client service
• Given the global nature of our business, may work outside of normal business hours or across departments to assist clients with particular needs
• Attend regular department meetings
• Participate in actively working to sell each sale
• Fulfill other duties as assigned

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Graduate Gemologist degree required, with a minimum of 10 years of experience in the Jewelry Industry; experience with diamonds, colored stones, and signed jewelry expected
• Candidate should be well connected within the jewelry industry such as active membership within industry related organizations (WJA, GIA Alumni, GemX, ASJRA, etc.).
• 5-8 years of appraisal experience
• Direct hands-on experience with current market pricing of jewelry expected
• Auction house experience strongly desired
• Working knowledge of contemporary, antique, and vintage jewelry required
• Ability to travel and directly manage team members

SKILLS

• Strong sense of professionalism; excellent communication, client service and social skills
• Proven ability to initiate new business
• Superior communication skills and presence; ability to project expertise and authority in jewelry, especially in representing the auction house at public and private events as an industry expert, such as panels, presentations and speeches.
• Track record of successful new business generation, including a specific client following
• Exceptional organizational skills; superior teamwork and administrative skills
• Proven ability to deliver results
• Growth minded strategy
• Leadership skills

COMPETENCIES

• Passion for Clients and Services
• Effective Problem Solving
• Better Together – Team Focused
• Initiative – Self Starter Attitude
• Commitment to Quality

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