Department Head | Design
Reports to: James Pickup, Director
Department: Design
Location: Stansted
Outline summary
An exciting opportunity has emerged to join our dynamic and growing Design department as the Head of Design. This role is perfect for someone with a true passion for design and a sharp eye for detail, who is eager to drive strategic growth and business development of the Design department. The role involves developing and executing comprehensive strategies, fostering client relationships, and leading a dynamic team to achieve department goals, aiming to enhance the department's profile and increase business turnover. The position requires an experienced professional with a proven track record in strategic planning, business getting, and team leadership.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Development
- A proven and demonstrated passion for Collectible Design, this includes a deep understanding of the market trends, historical influences, and the evolving demands of collectors.
- Develop and implement strategies to drive the growth and development of the growing Design department in alignment with company objectives and market trends.
- Set and agree on strategic goals and targets with the board, ensuring alignment with overall company vision.
- Produce and present annual and quarterly business plans that outline growth strategies and projected business turnover.
- Regularly update and report progress to the board, providing strategic insights and recommendations.
Business Development
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities to increase consignments and enhance department turnover.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with high-value clients, agents, and business getters to secure consignments.
- Increase average lot values and raise hammer prices, thereby improving profit margins.
- Act as the primary point of contact for high-value clients and key business partners, ensuring excellent service and satisfaction.
Team Leadership and Management
- Managing and leading the Design sale including overseeing the photography and cataloguing.
- Structure the department to optimise operational efficiency and support the overall company objectives.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the team, fostering a positive and high-performance work environment.
- Conduct regular team meetings to ensure alignment with department goals and company objectives.
- Identify training and development needs within the team and implement appropriate support mechanisms.
Client Engagement and Relationship Management
- Develop and maintain long-term relationships with clients to secure repeat business and foster loyalty.
- Ensure client satisfaction by addressing concerns and resolving issues promptly and effectively.
Marketing and Promotion
- Work alongside Marketing to develop and execute marketing strategies to promote the Design department and its auctions.
- Collaborate with the marketing team to create effective promotional materials, social media campaigns, and advertising strategies.
- Led the articles for magazines and publications.
- Enhance the online visibility of the department through engaging content and strategic online presence in line with market trends.
- Manage and organise off site valuations to
Compliance and Valuation Services
- Ensure compliance with Sworders’ policies regarding auction items and valuation standards.
- Provide expert valuation services, ensuring adherence to all relevant legislation and industry standards.
- Stay updated with market trends, fashion, and auction prices to provide accurate and fair valuations.
Additional Responsibilities
- Support and attend Sworders events and initiatives, promoting a positive and proactive approach.
- Ensure familiarity and compliance with all internal policies and procedures, including data protection and anti-money laundering processes.
Person Specification
Essential Skills
- Proven knowledge and understanding of the auction business.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in valuation and business getting/ development.
- Strong leadership and team development skills.
- Client-focused with a drive to deliver excellent service.
- Self-motivated with the confidence to work independently.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
- Experience in building effective relationships with external partners.
Desirable Skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft software and database management.
- Valid driving license and access to a vehicle.
What we offer!
Family first
- Flexible working, we are committed to providing flexibility in how and where work is performed to accommodate our diverse workforce.
Wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Programme, our range of confidential services and resources is here to help you navigate personal and professional challenges.
- Company events, seasonal parties, connections with schools, charitable contributions and more
- Breaks, encourage staff to have a break during the day including the flexibility to take as long as you need
Development
- Education, we offer and encourage our staff to further develop their experiences, both through internal and external avenues.
Sustainability
- We are proud to be an accredited Climate Perks employer, offering up to two additional paid “journey days” on top of standard annual leave to staff who elect to travel via land or sea as opposed to flying when travelling abroad - empowering them to act on their values
- Free onsite parking: at our main Auction Rooms
If you are enthusiastic and looking to establish yourself in an exciting role please send your CV with a brief covering letter outlining why you are perfect for Sworders to Jo Winter – jowinter@sworder.co.uk
Administrator
Full Time
Salary: dependent on experience
Location: Stansted
Outline summary
Are you great with people with a proven track record for delivering excellent customer service?
Sworders is seeking a highly organised and motivated Administrator to join our team. The successful candidate will play a vital role in providing administrative support across various departments, ensuring smooth operations, and assisting with the firm’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance obligations.
We are hoping to find someone with a proactive and flexible approach to working who would be able to contribute to a dynamic and growing business.
Responsibilities
Client Support
Providing front of house services for clients, greeting visitors, responding to questions to queries, including listing items for consignment and ensuring a positive visitors’ experiences at Sworders.
- Greet clients who visit reception areas in a warm and friendly professional manner
- Act as a first point of contact for clients, handling inquiries in a professional and timely manner.
- Maintain strong relationships with clients, ensuring their needs are met efficiently.
- Answer telephone calls received into Sworders offices in a professional manner, respond to clients’ enquiries where possible, or refer client to the correct department for a response
- Refer queries to the correct department for response, where this is appropriate
General Administration
- Provide day-to-day administrative support to the office and wider team.
- List items for consignment, where valuers or other staff are not available
- Comply with sworders policy on completing online entry forms
- Manage incoming and outgoing communications, including emails, phone calls, and post.
- Maintain accurate records, databases, and filing systems.
- Schedule and organise meetings, appointments, and events as needed.
- Prepare and distribute documents, reports, and presentations.
- Order and manage office supplies and handle other general office duties.
AML Support
- Assist in maintaining and updating client records for AML compliance purposes.
- Collect and verify client identification and supporting documents in line with AML regulations.
- Conduct initial checks on clients and transactions, ensuring compliance with Sworders' AML policies and procedures.
- Liaise with the AML compliance team to report any concerns.
- Maintain a record of key transactions and check they comply with our policies.
Team Collaboration
Support valuation and other teams with the input of cataloguing, images and other information relating to client consignments and the auction process, including responding to condition report and bidding requests as well as post sale administrative responsibilities.
- Work closely with various departments to support business operations and processes.
- Uploading catalogued information provided by valuation staff onto Sworders database
- Accurately record cataloguing information into Sworders database, in line with Sworders house style
- Presale - monitor requests for condition reports, additional information, bidding enquires and respond within set timeframes
- Respond to requests for condition reports prior to sale, recording requests received via email onto Sworders database and provide all responses through it
- Accurately record commission and telephone bid requests, ensuring all information relating to AML is complied with
- Effectively record identification information on Sworders database
- Post-sale - identify requests for post-sale offers and refer to the correct department for response
Compliance
- Ensure familiarity and compliance with Sworders staff handbook and comply with all Sworders internal policies and procedures
- Attend Sworders events where appropriate and availability allows
- Provide support for Sworders initiatives and have a positive attitude to change and development
Person Specification
Skills and Qualifications
- Previous experience in an administrative role
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritise effectively
- Familiarity with AML regulations is a plus, but training will be provided
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges
What We Offer
Family first
- Flexible working, we are committed to providing flexibility in how and where work is performed to accommodate our diverse workforce
Wellbeing
- Employee Assistance Programme, our range of confidential services and resources is here to help you navigate personal and professional challenges
- Company events, seasonal parties, connections with schools, charitable contributions and more
- Breaks, encourage staff to have a break during the day including the flexibility to take as long as you need
Development
- Education, we offer and encourage our staff to further develop their experiences, both through internal and external avenues
Sustainability
- We are proud to be an accredited Climate Perks employer, offering up to two additional paid “journey days” on top of standard annual leave to staff who elect to travel via land or sea as opposed to flying when travelling abroad - empowering them to act on their values
- Free onsite parking: at our main Auction Rooms
…and much more!
If you are enthusiastic and looking to establish yourself in an exciting role please send your CV with a brief covering letter outlining why you are perfect for Sworders to Jo Winter – jowinter@sworder.co.uk