Senior Specialist/Specialist - Jewellery

Business Getting and Consignments

• Drive the growth of Jewellery consignment and buyer activities in Switzerland
• Contribute to local strategy and tactical plans for growth in those categories
• Leverage existing and build further strong relationships with client communities across Switzerland
• Participate in sourcing works for auction sale, actively seeking consignment opportunities and business getting independently/with colleagues
• Maintain close relations with brands, dealers, restorers
• Meet sales and net profit targets
• Deal with walk-in valuations and enquiries by email, post and phone
• Arrange sweeps to source property, in coordination with Business Director and Specialist / Liaison colleagues
• Prepare proposals and carrying out valuations, working closely with the Valuations department
• Working closely with Client Development and colleagues to follow up on consignment leads and develop productive client relationships
• Maintain and update ‘follow up’ files for potential consignments
• Work closely with other Luxury departments

• Attend International Jewellery sales as required by Head of Jewellery EMEA, assist with exhibitions and other marketing events (lectures, dinners, special events)
• Provide expertise, researching and cataloguing objects to the highest standard according to scheduled deadlines and agreed format
• Work closely with the business and European Jewellery teams to lead Sotheby’s Jewellery activities in Europe, especially regarding raising awareness, PR, Marketing and joint activities with other departments
• Participate in all pre-sale outreach activities to support the selling of global Jewellery sales
• Gather interest from buyers and consignors for international Jewellery sales
• Focus on business development and relationships with key clients, developing “trusted advisor” status
• Organisation and involvement in cross-marketing events; travelling exhibitions and special events

• Work in partnership with the Jewellery team to identify opportunities and ideas which are in alignment with our strategy for the continued growth and development of this business
• Drive sale transactions by identifying and developing clients to actively transact and cultivate long-term client relationships to achieve this. Together with Client Development identify specific client priorities, key business strategies and action plans for existing or newly identified
• Act as a trusted advisor to priority clients to address and anticipate their needs and through an understanding of their interests, facilitate introductions to and engagement with relevant specialists globally, promoting cross channel and cross category opportunities
• Work with marketplace and BI to devise selling strategies and identify opportunities

• Maintain high levels of expertise and professionalism in all activities
• Maintain departmental archives and keeping client information accurate and relevant
• Mentoring junior members of the team. Ensure that skills and knowledge are passed onto and shared with all members of the department day to day
• Work with the MENA teams to understand the ways in which business can be conducted within and from Switzerland, with regards to sourcing for auction, execution of private sales, and selling exhibitions
• Always operate in accordance with the company’s rules on compliance and corporate governance, maintaining high levels of expertise and professionalism in all activities

• Hold a relevant gemmological degree from FGA or GIA
• Have extensive market knowledge and be able to value Jewellery, gemstones, and pearls across all periods, makers, and origins. The right candidate will be able to demonstrate an ability to price items for auction / insurance / fair market value, with particular emphasis on understanding and pricing of gems
• Highly developed networking skills with a keen interest and experience of building and maintaining client relationships
• A willingness to build and maintain a positive internal and external profile that reflects the values of the department and Sotheby’s
• Possess demonstrable research skills, thorough organisational ability and a good eye for detail
• Proven business acumen and developed valuation skills, with a functional working knowledge of the whole auction process, procedures & systems (e.g. shipping regulations, SAP)
• Ability to work effectively both individually and in a team and to ’pitch in’ when required
• Ability to work well under pressure and have a flexible approach to a wide range of tasks
• Possess high levels of integrity and be able to operate within corporate governance and legal framework
• Good organisational skills with proven ability to work to deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Fluent in spoken and written English and French; additional European languages are advantageous