ABOUT SOTHEBY'S
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.
ABOUT RM SOTHEBY’S
RM Sotheby’s is the world's leading collector car auction house, specializing in the sale of the world's most exceptional automobiles. With a global presence and a reputation built on expertise, integrity, and unparalleled client service, RM Sotheby’s has established itself as a trusted leader in the international collector car market.
Beyond its renowned live auctions, RM Sotheby’s offers clients exclusive opportunities to buy and sell through RM Sotheby’s Sealed, an innovative and discreet auction platform, and Private Sales, providing a personalized, confidential approach to buying and selling extraordinary automobiles through private treaty transactions.
Our global team of specialists and professionals works closely with collectors, enthusiasts, and industry leaders to deliver extraordinary experiences and results. We offer a dynamic, collaborative environment where individuals have the opportunity to build meaningful careers in the exciting world of collector automobiles.
THE ROLE
The Private Sales Specialist will be RM Sotheby's day-to-day point of contact for collectors in Switzerland, owning a personal client book and the Swiss private sales pipeline. Working closely with the Managing Director, Private Sales, they will source and complete consignments for private sales and Sealed, carry out appraisals, and represent RM Sotheby's at events in Switzerland and across Europe. This is a role with genuine autonomy, suited to a collector car professional ready to manage transactions from first conversation to completion
Private Sales and Sealed
The Private Sales and Sealed division gives clients a discreet, flexible route to buying and selling outside the auction room. It covers principal trades, off-market brokerage, private sale consignments offered through rmsothebys.com, and Sealed (sealed.rmsothebys.com), RM Sotheby's online sealed-bid sales platform.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Build lasting relationships and be a trusted advisor to Swiss and international clients for buying and/or selling collector cars, privately and at auction.
- Help clients fulfil their passion, build/divest their collection, or make financial/portfolio decisions.
- Own and develop a personal client book, and manage the Swiss private sales pipeline from first contact through to completion.
- Work with the Managing Director, Private Sales to grow RMS Private Sales revenue and market share in Switzerland.
- Drive revenues through consignments for private sales and Sealed, including identifying collector cars for inventory for future sale and the sale of collector cars in inventory.
- Drive revenues by providing appraisals for estate planning, financing, insurance and other client needs.
- Promote existing private sale consignments, Sealed sales, and events to current or prospective clients.
- Be a brand ambassador and represent RM Sotheby's at events in Switzerland, across Europe and at key international events.
- Generate and develop new clients by networking, referrals and following up on assigned leads.
- Work with the research department to communicate history, provenance, and unique selling features of private sales consignments.
- Handle all client information with complete discretion, and keep up-to-date records on sales calls, client contacts, and meeting details in a timely manner.
- Other activities related to generating revenues via transaction of motor cars as assigned by Employer.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- Several years' experience in collector car sales, auctions, dealing or a closely related luxury or alternative-assets field, with a track record of closing transactions.
- Strong knowledge of the collector car market and an established or growing network within the Swiss collector community.
- Fluent English, plus fluent German and/or French; Italian is a plus.
- Right to work in Switzerland.
- Absolute discretion and sound judgement in dealing with UHNW clients and confidential information.
- Willingness to travel regularly across Switzerland and Europe, and to key international events
- Highly organised and self-motivated; comfortable working autonomously and using a CRM.
To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please click here.
To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please click here.
The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.
Skills Required
- Several years of experience in collector car sales, auctions, dealing, or a closely related luxury or alternative-assets field, with a track record of closing transactions
- Strong knowledge of the collector car market
- An established or growing network within the Swiss collector community
- Fluent English
- Fluent German and/or French
- Right to work in Switzerland
- Absolute discretion and sound judgment when dealing with UHNW clients and confidential information
- Willingness to travel regularly across Switzerland and Europe and to key international events
- Highly organized and self-motivated
- Comfort working autonomously and using a CRM
- Italian language skills
Sotheby's Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Sotheby's and has not been reviewed or approved by Sotheby's.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as broad, spanning medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, and company-paid life insurance. Mental health benefits and disability coverage are also included as part of the package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) plan with company matching. Additional financial supports such as flexible spending accounts and an employee stock purchase plan are also referenced.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off policies are characterized as generous, including paid time off, paid holidays, and sick days. Paid parental leave and family-related supports are also included in the overall offering.
Sotheby's Insights
What We Do
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.
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