Art Handler/Crew Member, Fine Art and Operations

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Responsible for full-cycle property handling of Bonhams Fine Art Department's auction 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.

In your role as Art Handler/Crew Member you will be required to carry out the following:

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
o Unpacking/uncrating work upon arrival
o Barcoding the property based off Schedule A that department provides
 Keeping group lots organized
 Update item counts as necessary
o General condition images and condition notes of work upon arrival
 Shipping dimensions
o Storing work safely in appropriate storage areas
• Cataloging Assistance
o Pulling works for department to view for cataloging and condition reporting
 Creating necessary space within the gallery for such needs
• Photography Assistance
o Working with photography department on scheduling of photos for catalog.
o Moving the works safely and scanning them to appropriate photo studios
o Assist photographers on detail shots and presentation necessary for catalog images
• Exhibition
o Layout of exhibition with department on exhibita program 3D walkthrough
o Ordering of cases necessary for preview
o Lotting of sale
o Installing of works (with help of other crew members) up to museum and gallery standards.
o De-installation of works and moving property back into storage
• Inventory
o Provide quarterly stock checks of storage areas
o Organizing sale items from sold items and BI's
o Ordering of necessary packing and storage material
• Packing
o For client and shipper pickups
o Working with client services and collections handlers on scheduled client pickups to better prepare pickups
o Working 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 appropriate
• Work 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 Managers.

Required Skills
• Bachelor's Degree in appropriate discipline or equivalent experience
• Auction House Experience preferred
• Experience in and desire to learn about specialty departments
• Exceptional communication skills, including fluency in reading, writing and speaking English and Mandarin; Japanese language skills a plus
• Highly organized and detail oriented
• Excellent problem resolution skills and customer service skills
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment with multiple deadlines
• Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting, pushing and pulling, using proper lifting / moving techniques
• Willing to work over-time hours during peak sale periods
• PC proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook applications, digital image management, Social Media platforms including WeChat and Instagram, and ability to learn company database