Senior Specialist, Spirits - Americas

Christie's•New York, NY

2d•$110,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

Christie’s is seeking a Senior Specialist, Spirits to be based in New York and serve as the contact specialist for the Americas. The role sources and inspects spirits consignments for auction and develops relationships with private clients, trade clients, and spirits producers. It also serves as the local inspector for consignments arriving at the New York and Los Angeles warehouse facilities. The work is split between the Rockefeller Center offices and the Wine & Spirits warehouse. The specialist evaluates, prices, and secures spirits property for domestic and international auctions; coordinates client visits and collection pack-ups; and oversees the auction life cycle, including lot photography and collaboration with marketing and creative teams. The role prepares catalogue essays and producer headers, builds relationships with collectors and industry clients, supports regional programming and consignment targeting, and negotiates deals that work for both sellers and the company while following established processes and approval requirements.

Requirements

At least 8 years of professional experience in a comparable spirits-related role, preferably in auctions.
Sound market knowledge of current pricing and authentication trends.
Demonstrated knowledge of domestic and international client relationship management.
Skill in valuing rare spirits and negotiating commercial deals.
Ability to lead by example and work collaboratively across functions in a large organization.
Strong project-management ability, accountability for the full sale process, and ability to prioritize multiple deadlines.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
Discretion and ability to work with confidential information.
Strong attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

WSET Advanced Certification (Level 3) or comparable education.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, price, and secure Spirits property for domestic and international auctions.
Arrange and coordinate on-site client visits and collection pack-ups.
Attend warehouse visits and inspections and enter information into Christie’s cataloguing databases.
Project manage the life cycle of an auction, including coordinating lot photography and working with marketing and creative teams on auction initiatives.
Write and prepare catalogue essays and producer headers.
Establish and cultivate long-term relationships with novice and seasoned spirits collectors, local trade clients, and producers.
Attend networking tastings and dinner events.
Work with Client Strategy and regional representatives to develop programming and strategize consignment targeting.
Negotiate competitive deals that are compelling to sellers and financially sound for the company.
Follow existing processes and the approval matrix when structuring and negotiating deals.
Inspect consignments arriving at the New York and Los Angeles warehouse facilities.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care plans for employees and dependents; Christie’s pays an average of 80% of total premiums.
401(k) savings plan with a matching contribution up to 5%, subject to IRS limits.
Life insurance equal to three times base salary, up to $400,000, paid in full by Christie’s.
Disability insurance paid in full by Christie’s.
Generous time-off and leave policies, including 100% paid family leave for up to 16 weeks.
Fitness reimbursement of eligible fitness fees and memberships up to $600 per year.
Annual discretionary performance bonus plan.
Pre-tax commuter benefits and a Christie’s contribution of $21 per month.
Up to 10 days of backup child or elder care through Bright Horizons.
One paid Corporate Social Responsibility day per year to dedicate to a charity of the employee’s choice.
Perks and discounts through Zo and Plum Benefits.