THE ROLE

The Client Liaison and Department Assistant focuses on client liaison, supporting pre- and post-sale activities and assisting Fine Art Specialists. The position also includes administrative and operational support as needed, helping to maintain consistent standards across Sotheby’s European offices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Organize pipeline management meetings with the GFA team to review sourcing initiatives and ongoing activity.
• Support client requests related to property management, including consignments, pre- and post-sale administration, bid registration and execution, loan requests, transactional history, accounts, and valuations.
• Coordinate and execute the pre-sale targeting strategy for global auctions.
• Track and maintain pre-sale target lists, current and potential consignment lists, buyer and under-bidder results, and artist sourcing projects in collaboration with relevant specialists.
• For the Fine Art Department in Switzerland, monitor the consignment process before and after sales to ensure a seamless selling experience and high sell-through rates.
• Maintain communication with departments such as Shipping, Client Accounts, Events, Sotheby’s Preferred, other specialist departments, and European and global salerooms to guarantee a smooth process and consistently high client service.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the Company’s domestic and international auction processes, as well as Private Sales, to communicate effectively with existing and potential clients.
• Assist Specialists during client visits, valuations, and proposals.
• Maintain and update accurate client lists for mailings, invitations, and general engagement.
• Support the Swiss GFA Team with client and business development initiatives (e.g. updating the client system, sending large volumes of emails such as pre-sale targeting and event invitations).
• Act as an effective liaison with other departments and international colleagues to ensure a seamless service to mutual clients.
• Deal effectively with general queries, problem-solve, and follow tasks through to completion.
• Support the Geneva offices with day-to-day administrative tasks, such as answering office phones, welcoming clients, and receipting consignments.
• Support corporate events.
• Post and park invoices using Concur.
• Provide support to the Head of Fine Art with general office management tasks, including supplies, internal coordination, and ad hoc administrative requests.
• Support occasional projects or initiatives as requested by the Head of Offices.
• Assist with shipping and logistics as needed.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge, passion, and commitment to the art field, both locally and internationally.
• Degree holder or equivalent (art-related master’s or bachelor’s degree preferred).
• Fluent in English (mandatory); French is a plus; any additional languages are an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with a strong commitment to delivering exemplary client service.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, within a cross-departmental organisation.
• Ability to work in a demanding, matrix environment, with a flexible approach to a wide range of tasks and a proven ability to meet deadlines.