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

In your role as Specialist, you will be required to carry out the following:

• Business getting to fulfil the budgets set for the department’s sales in London and Paris


• Travel internationally for business getting, valuations and assistance with sales in Paris and New York


• Work with the team on strategies to encourage new business opportunities for the department


• Source works for Private Sale


• Prepare proposal documents and work on pitches for business.


• 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


• Complete, as and when required, the valuation of customer’s property both in the office and at other venues.


• Join regular department pipeline and paradox meetings.


• Assist the team on the production of an advertising and marketing campaign, within the budgets set, to promote the business getting and sales activities of the department


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


• Research artworks and collections and prepare academic texts to be published in the sale catalogues.


• As and when necessary support the team to produce the catalogues to ensure timely delivery to printers


• Assist on exhibition events worldwide as and when required


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

Key Skills and Experience

• A good level of specialist expertise achieved through a previous role


• Knowledge and genuine interest for Impressionist & Modern Art


• Flexibility to travel


• Good market and trend awareness


• Proven business acumen and valuation skills


• A network of contacts (or) willingness to build up such a portfolio


• Functional working knowledge of the whole auction process and related procedures (e.g. shipping regulations, VAT)


• Flexible and receptive to change


• Excellent time management and organisation skills


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and oral


• Able to work as part of team, and independently


• Able to work to tight deadlines and under pressure


• Excellent attention to detail


• Degree holder or equivalent


• Knowledge of another European language would be advantageous

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 9th September 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.