Senior Specialist

About the Bonhams Network

Founded in 1793, Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.  In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.

About the Department

Bonhams Impressionist & Modern Art auctions offer paintings, sculptures, works on paper and ceramics by artists including Auguste Rodin, Pablo Picasso, Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita, Marc Chagall and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, as well as works by Surrealist artists like René Magritte and Salvador Dalí. As part of the wider 20/21 Century Art team we hold 17 auctions a year in London, New York, Paris and online.

About You

We’re looking for someone with significant previous experience within a specialist role to focus on business-getting from Germany and Austria primarily. You will have an established relationship with the German art market and private collectors in the region, and extensive experience preparing valuations and sourcing property for sale. You should have strong market awareness, with an established base of clients. You should have excellent specialist knowledge of the Impressionist & Modern Art field and be ready to share and communicate this knowledge with the members of the wider team. Auction experience is greatly welcomed, as is a positive and collaborative approach to work. We need someone self-starting who can originate business opportunities and work towards a common goal as part of a driven and supportive team.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

You will: 

• Source consignments primarily in Germany and Austria for the department to fulfil the budgets set for the department sales.


• Travel regularly to source material for sale and develop the client base.


• Value and advise Bonhams clients on the sale of their items and collections.


• Prepare sale proposals and work on private sales.


• Maintain and support the ongoing development of a database of customers.


• Build and maintain contact with established collectors to encourage further business with the company, either as buyers or sellers.


• Build and maintain contact with established trade contacts to encourage further business with the company.


• Work with the Head of Department and UK, Europe and Asia Head on strategies to encourage new business opportunities for the department.


• Join regular department pipeline and paradox meetings.


• Support the junior members of the team to encourage their development and knowledge of the market.


• Assist with auctions and exhibition events, either in the UK or worldwide as and when required.


• Promote the department through lectures and other promotional events.


• Maintain an awareness of our competitors’ strategies to maintain the competitive position of this department in the market.
  

Key Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in Impressionist & Modern Art and the auction industry, with a proven history of sourcing consignments for sale


• Fluency in German language


• Flexibility to travel


• Established relationships with dealers and collectors in the field


• Strong written and verbal communication and networking skills


• Entrepreneurial approach to generating business


• Proactive and detail-oriented


• Team-player

What We Offer

 Some of our benefits and perks include:

• 28 days holidays (including Bank Holidays), increasing to 33 with service.


• Healthcare and Life Assurance


• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave


• Cycle to Work Scheme


• Season Ticket Loan

If you wish to apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by the 28th May 2025 at midnight.

We thank you for your interest in this position but please note that we will only contact candidates chosen for further consideration.

Bonhams is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.