Picture Valuer
Full Time
Salary: dependent on experience
Location: Stansted Mountfitchet Office
Outline Summary
To work within the picture department, primarily working to provide effective valuation and advice services relating to Old Master, British and European Paintings and Modern and Contemporary Art; valuations must take account of commercial fashions, trends, and hammer prices to ensure information provided is fair and achievable. Respond to electronic valuation requests within a timely manner and partake in valuation events, including those in Sworders other offices, or at alternative locations arranged.
Provide valuations for insurance and probate, where required, ensure information provided accurately reflects the market, and all relevant legislation is adhered to.
Maintain a commercial view of the business, support the department head with the development of business leads and consignments to aid department growth, increase average hammer prices and turnover.
Liaise with clients and foster effective relationships to enhance Sworders business. Provide first line contact to clients wishing to consign items and ensure they are kept up to date with developments. Refer items to department specialists and take advice where appropriate.
Lead the sale process for Old Master, British and European Art, ensuring items are researched, consigned, catalogued, condition reported and lotted, ready for export within set timeframes. Support the successful development of the department and in the operations relating to the presentation of sales.
Work effectively as part of a team, assist in the planning and development of auctions to ensure success, inputting ideas for presentation of items for sale. Provide materials for social media campaigns, writing blogs and internet content to enhance online visibility. Assist in the set up and presentation of sales within the auction rooms and take part in preview days and events.
Actively show support for Sworders events and incentives, taking part where availability allows. Lead by example and have a proactive approach to development and change.
Adhere to Sworders internal policies and procedures, including, but not limited to Sworders Privacy Policy, Data Protection and Confidentiality Policies, AML requirements, and Sworders Staff Handbook.
Responsibilities
Provide picture valuation services to clients, ensuring confidence in Sworders valuation services to foster effective relationships
- Provide front of house picture valuations to clients
- Take part in valuation events, at Sworders offices
- Undertake visits to client properties for the purpose of valuation for sale, probate or insurance, as required and provide appropriate reports, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, including but not limited to, Inheritance Tax Act 1984, Data Protection Act 2018, UK General Data Protection Regulations
- Keep up to date with recent fashions, trends and auction prices to ensure the information provided is fair and achievable
- Refer items to specialist departments for appraisal, where appropriate
- Liaise with administration teams in relation to client business, as required
- Ensure information is obtained from clients to comply with AML requirements
- Respond to email valuation requests without undue delay
- Catalogue items consigned for auction, undertaking any research necessary, provide accurate condition reports and ensure compliance with Sworders in house style
Build effective relationships with clients for long term engagement with Sworders, sustaining effective business relationships. Maintain a commercial view of the business, supporting the department to aid department growth.
- Provide first line response and contact for clients wishing to consign items for sale
- Foster effective relationships with agents and business getters to secure items for forthcoming auctions
- Effectively manage client relationships, providing point of contact to manage enquiries
- Maintain a commercial view of the business
- Support the department head with the development of business leads and consignments
- Refer items to other specialist departments where appropriate and take advice as necessary
- Deal with any issues as they arise to ensure sustainable relationships and prevent escalation of complaints
- Ensure client contact information is accurately recorded on Sworders database
Have the ability to lead the sale process, ensuring items are consigned, catalogued, condition reported and lotted, ready for export within set timeframes. Support the successful development of the department and in the operations relating to the presentation of sales.
- Lead the process for sale development and presentation in the consignment, cataloguing, condition reporting pictures for auction
- Develop leads to aid business getting and secure consignments
- Comply with Sworders policies relating to items accepted for auction and thresholds
- Work to increase average lot values, raise hammer prices, resulting in increased profit margins
- Refer items to specialist departments for appraisal, where appropriate
- Support the team with lotting sales and work independently, if necessary, to ensure sales are ready for export onto websites within set timeframe, liaising with the administration team where appropriate
- Ensure sale items are well presented to potential buyers including print or online catalogues and sale listings
- Comply with sworders policy on completing online entry forms wherever possible
- Keep up to date with changing market trends
- Work effectively as part of a team, supporting colleagues in the development and presentation of successful picture auctions, assisting with presentation of items
- Support the logistical arrangements relating to items consigned for auction specifically for their storage or photography needs
- Undertake research and provide content for social media campaigns, blogs and internet content to reach a wide audience and increase online traffic
Adhere to Sworders internal policies and procedures.
- Ensure familiarity and compliance with Sworders staff handbook and comply with all Sworders internal policies and procedures, including but not limited to Data Protection and Privacy Policies, Anti-Money Laundering processes
- Attend sworders events where appropriate and availability allows
- Show support for Sworders initiatives
- Have a positive attitude to change and development
Person Specification
Required Skills
- A good working knowledge of artists and picture values
- 3 - 5 years experience of working in an auction house, or similar valuation service
- Knowledge and understanding of the art markets with valuation and cataloguing experience
- Flexibility to take on additional tasks/responsibilities
- The ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
- A good team player
- Enthusiastic with a willingness to learn
- A positive attitude to change and development
- Client focused with a drive to deliver excellent customer service
- Self-motivated with the confidence to work on their own initiative without the need for direction
- Excellent organisational skills
- Process driven
- Confidence in talking with the public
Desirable Skills
- Experience of building effective relationships with external partners
- Driving licence and vehicle
Please send your CV with a brief cover letter outlining why you are perfect for Sworders to Jane Watkins at janewatkins@sworder.co.uk