Job Description

About Bonhams

Bonhams is a global auction house with an 18th-century heritage and operations in London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. We conduct auctions across more than 60 categories, including fine art, motor cars, jewelry, and entertainment memorabilia.

Our employees are passionate about their work, and we pride ourselves on a bespoke approach that makes every client feel important. As Bonhams continues to evolve, we are building a people-focused organization that strengthens our capabilities, enhances our global brand, and drives continuous 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

This role provides strategic and operational support to the Managing Director, US and the SVP, Head of Business Development. The role coordinates business-development and client engagement activity across Bonhams’ arts and collectibles departments, with particular emphasis on major consignments, flagship auctions, high-value client relationships, pitches, proposals, events, and private sales. Working closely with General Managers, Specialists, Client Development, Trusts & Estates, Museum Services, Marketing and Events, Regional Representatives, Finance, and other stakeholders, the Business Associate will maintain visibility over business opportunities, provide data and research, coordinate cross-functional activity, and support timely follow-through. Time-to-time executive administrative support, including calendar management, travel booking, correspondence, and office logistics.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

Business Development Coordination

• Maintain the systems and processes used to track business-development opportunities, consignments, pitches, proposals, private sales, and priority client relationships.
• Coordinate deal and pipeline discussions, documenting responsibilities, deadlines, deliverables, and next steps.
• Work across departments and regions to gather information and coordinate activity required to pursue business opportunities.
• Support the preparation of deal analyses, commercial scenarios, performance reports, and pipeline updates.
• Maintain a centralized view of active, prospective, and dormant client and business targets.
• Monitor follow-up activity and flag gaps, risks, or missed opportunities.

Client Relationship Support - Auction, Consignment, and Private-Sale Support

• Support the Managing Director and the Head of Business Development with consignment inquiries, buyer-development, and client-engagement initiatives.
• Prepare targeted client and prospect lists for auctions, private sales, travel, valuation events, client visits, campaigns, and events.
• Manage and distribute relevant inbound inquiries to the appropriate Specialist or department.
• Research clients, objects, valuations, bidding, buying, underbids, and previous sales activity to identify potential consignors, buyers, and business opportunities.
• Support wish-list matching and targeted outreach for auction and private-sale opportunities.
• Coordinate pre-sale interest meetings and ensure actions and ownership are clearly documented.
• Distribute post-sale buyer, bidder, underbidder, registrant, and prospect information to the appropriate relationship owners.
• Monitor post-sale outreach and capture relevant learnings to support future targeting and client engagement.

Client Pitches, Events, Data, and Reporting

• Support the MD and the Head of Business Development to coordinate high-value collection pitches and proposals by gathering content, data, credentials, case studies, and commercial information from relevant teams.
• Manage pitch timelines, deliverables, and logistics, ensuring materials are accurate, complete, and tailored to the opportunity.
• Track pitch outcomes, conversion, and reasons for wins or losses.
• Support pre- and post-event planning, including objectives, target audiences, invitation lists, client engagement, and follow-up.
• Coordinate Business Development activations in partnership with Marketing and Events.
• Track event attendance, engagement, opportunities, conversion, and return on investment.
• Maintain accurate client, opportunity, interest, and follow-up information within the CRM and relevant databases.
• Support data standards, reporting, dashboards, and analysis relating to client behavior, auction performance, pipeline activity, and cross-category opportunities.

Budget and Operations

• Assist with planning, tracking, forecasting, reconciling, and reporting on the Business Development and Trust & Estates budgets.
• Partner with Events, Finance and other relevant stakeholders to monitor expenditure and maintain clear budget ownership.
• Support the implementation of Business Development tools, templates, processes, and reporting cycles.
• Coordinate recurring meetings, action tracking, and operational follow-through.
• Support ad hoc strategic and operational projects for the Managing Director and Business Development leadership.
• Assist in exploring brand partnership and sponsorship opportunities with Marketing.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience preferred.
• 5 - 8 years of relevant experience in business development, client strategy, sales operations, professional services, luxury goods, financial services, the art market, or a related field.
• Experience supporting business-development pipelines, CRM systems, client databases, pitches, proposals, or reporting processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Confidence working with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
• High degree of professionalism, judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, and comfort using CRM and database platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence and polish to work with senior executives and high-value clients.
• A natural follow-through person who takes ownership and does not need to be repeatedly directed.
• Comfortable navigating a complex organization and bringing together different teams to get things done.

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 HSA 
• 20 days paid time off (PTO) 
• 12 paid holidays and holiday break from Christmas to New Years Day 
• 16 weeks fully paid parental leave (after one year) and flexible work arrangements
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (after one year)
• Life insurance with AD&D 
• Short- and long-term disability 
• Paid cellphone and data service 
• Tuition reimbursement (after six months)
• Commuter benefits (transit and parking) 
• Employee assistance program (EAP) 
• Professional development: free online training and expansive content library 
• Onboarding buddy: 90-day mentor to welcome and orient new joiners 
• Employee resource groups: social club, diversity committee, mentorship program 
• Sponsored 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.