Bonhams
Art Handler
Bonhams, New York, New York, United States, 10022
About Bonhams
Bonhams is a global auction house with an 18th century heritage poised for transformative change. Our global operations are based in London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong where we sell in over 60 categories, including motor cars, paintings, jewelry, and entertainment memorabilia.
Our employees are passionate about their work, and we pride ourselves on a bespoke approach that aims to make every client feel important. It is an exciting time for our business and our global leadership team of art world professionals are now ready to for a People focused team to help them develop their talent strategy, strengthen our people brand globally, build organizational capability and drive process improvement.
Bonhams is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.
About the Role
Responsible for full-cycle property handling of Bonhams lots in our New York location. This dynamic position supports multiple sales a year providing support to specialists and cataloguers to prepare for upcoming auctions. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy multi-tasking and organizational projects, meet deadlines, and provide an efficient manner of task handling.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Responsible for the preparation and handling of lots for exhibition preview along with pre-sale and post-sale departmental duties for multiple live and online auctions, the art handler's duties will include:
Receival of property upon its arrival
Unpacking/uncrating work upon arrivalBarcoding the property based off consignment agreement that department provides
Keeping group lots organizedUpdate item counts as necessary
General condition images and condition notes of work upon arrival
Shipping dimensions
Storing work in appropriate storage area
Cataloging Assistance
Pulling works for department to view for cataloging and condition reportingUnframing/FramingCreating necessary space within our storage and galleries for department use
Photography Assistance
Working with photography department on scheduling of photos for catalog.Moving the works safely and scanning them to appropriate photo studiosAssist photographers on detail shots and presentation necessary for catalog images
Exhibition
Layout of exhibition with departmentsAssist Department with itemizing and lotting of salesInstalling of works up to museum and gallery standards.De-installation of works and moving property back into storage
Inventory
Provide quarterly stock checks of storage areasOrganizing sale items from sold items and BI'sOrdering of necessary packing and storage material
Packing
For client and shipper pickupsPacking items for storageWorking with client services and collections handlers on scheduled client pickups to better prepare pickupsWorking with department on safest practice for packing items
Act as department liaison with both external shippers and internal support departments:
Coordinate with Client Services, IT, Operations, Marketing and Finance to meet deadlines, facilitate sale processes, and optimize the workflow efficiency; escalate issues as appropriateWork in parallel fashion with colleagues in Los Angeles, San Francisco and global locations
In addition to the tasks and responsibilities listed, you may be required to perform other duties as assigned by your manager.
Key Skills and AttributesBachelor's Degree in appropriate discipline or equivalent experienceExperience in and desire to learn about specialty departmentsExceptional communication skills, including fluency in reading, writing and speaking EnglishHighly organized and detail orientedExcellent problem resolution skills and customer service skillsAbility to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlinesAbility to perform physical tasks, including lifting, pushing and pulling, using proper lifting / moving techniquesWilling to work over-time hours during peak sale periodsPC proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook applications, digital image management, Social Media platforms including WeChat and Instagram, and ability to learn company database
What We Offer
In addition to an active and progressive work environment, Bonhams offers a competitive benefits package to encourage work/life balance, including:Excellent medical, dental and vision insurance - HMO, EPO, PPO with FSA and HSA20 days paid time off (PTO)12 paid holidays and holiday break from Christmas to New Years Day16 weeks fully paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements401(k) retirement plan with company contributionLife insurance with AD & DShort- and long-term disabilityCommuter benefits (transit and parking)Employee assistance program (EAP)Employee resource groups: social club, diversity committee, mentorship programSponsored socials: annual staff art exhibition, annual summer and holiday parties, monthly birthday treats, weekly breakfast
Bonhams participates in E-Verify.
Applicants who best match the position needs will be contacted.
Bonhams is a global auction house with an 18th century heritage poised for transformative change. Our global operations are based in London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong where we sell in over 60 categories, including motor cars, paintings, jewelry, and entertainment memorabilia.
Our employees are passionate about their work, and we pride ourselves on a bespoke approach that aims to make every client feel important. It is an exciting time for our business and our global leadership team of art world professionals are now ready to for a People focused team to help them develop their talent strategy, strengthen our people brand globally, build organizational capability and drive process improvement.
Bonhams is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.
About the Role
Responsible for full-cycle property handling of Bonhams lots in our New York location. This dynamic position supports multiple sales a year providing support to specialists and cataloguers to prepare for upcoming auctions. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy multi-tasking and organizational projects, meet deadlines, and provide an efficient manner of task handling.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Responsible for the preparation and handling of lots for exhibition preview along with pre-sale and post-sale departmental duties for multiple live and online auctions, the art handler's duties will include:
Receival of property upon its arrival
Unpacking/uncrating work upon arrivalBarcoding the property based off consignment agreement that department provides
Keeping group lots organizedUpdate item counts as necessary
General condition images and condition notes of work upon arrival
Shipping dimensions
Storing work in appropriate storage area
Cataloging Assistance
Pulling works for department to view for cataloging and condition reportingUnframing/FramingCreating necessary space within our storage and galleries for department use
Photography Assistance
Working with photography department on scheduling of photos for catalog.Moving the works safely and scanning them to appropriate photo studiosAssist photographers on detail shots and presentation necessary for catalog images
Exhibition
Layout of exhibition with departmentsAssist Department with itemizing and lotting of salesInstalling of works up to museum and gallery standards.De-installation of works and moving property back into storage
Inventory
Provide quarterly stock checks of storage areasOrganizing sale items from sold items and BI'sOrdering of necessary packing and storage material
Packing
For client and shipper pickupsPacking items for storageWorking with client services and collections handlers on scheduled client pickups to better prepare pickupsWorking with department on safest practice for packing items
Act as department liaison with both external shippers and internal support departments:
Coordinate with Client Services, IT, Operations, Marketing and Finance to meet deadlines, facilitate sale processes, and optimize the workflow efficiency; escalate issues as appropriateWork in parallel fashion with colleagues in Los Angeles, San Francisco and global locations
In addition to the tasks and responsibilities listed, you may be required to perform other duties as assigned by your manager.
Key Skills and AttributesBachelor's Degree in appropriate discipline or equivalent experienceExperience in and desire to learn about specialty departmentsExceptional communication skills, including fluency in reading, writing and speaking EnglishHighly organized and detail orientedExcellent problem resolution skills and customer service skillsAbility to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlinesAbility to perform physical tasks, including lifting, pushing and pulling, using proper lifting / moving techniquesWilling to work over-time hours during peak sale periodsPC proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook applications, digital image management, Social Media platforms including WeChat and Instagram, and ability to learn company database
What We Offer
In addition to an active and progressive work environment, Bonhams offers a competitive benefits package to encourage work/life balance, including:Excellent medical, dental and vision insurance - HMO, EPO, PPO with FSA and HSA20 days paid time off (PTO)12 paid holidays and holiday break from Christmas to New Years Day16 weeks fully paid parental leave and flexible work arrangements401(k) retirement plan with company contributionLife insurance with AD & DShort- and long-term disabilityCommuter benefits (transit and parking)Employee assistance program (EAP)Employee resource groups: social club, diversity committee, mentorship programSponsored socials: annual staff art exhibition, annual summer and holiday parties, monthly birthday treats, weekly breakfast
Bonhams participates in E-Verify.
Applicants who best match the position needs will be contacted.