Job Description

The Company

Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments, or in one of our more Operational teams, we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 260 year old company, steeped in history, bringing fresh ideas whilst not forgetting our shared values: Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, Responsibility & Relationships. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is inspiring to work with industry leaders across our business.

Why This Role Matters

This role will write and manage the highest-quality proposal documents and presentations to tight deadlines for UHNW consignors that Christie’s. The Senior Writer will work closely with specialists, senior management, designers, and marketing/financial representatives throughout the proposal process.

You will have the opportunity to work with colleagues worldwide and at all levels, from interns to senior management. You will also be involved in the consignment process for many of the most important works of art and major collections to come to market. You will gain an opportunity to develop a strong understanding/ holistic picture of how the auction business operates and work within a team where innovative and creative thinking is encouraged.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Writing:​The Senior Writer is expected to glean information from numerous sources to write a highly compelling proposal, answering the client and in-house brief and communicating Christie’s strategy and market position with greatest effect.

• Thinking strategically, and finding solutions, often in discussion with senior management:the Senior Writer will be required to deal with personnel of all levels at Christie’s. The initial stage of every project is the proposal briefing – a meeting with the in-house client contact(s), where the most effective strategy for the proposal is determined. The Senior Writer is expected to lead this discussion and emerge with enough information to start assembling the proposal. At the end of the briefing, the Proposal Writer should not leave before every person involved knows what they are expected to contribute (text, images, etc) and clear deadlines are established.

• Project and client management:Dealing with the initiator of the project and any other involved parties (there are normally 3-5), the Senior Writer is expected to bring the project to completion, incorporating all necessary new information, developments and amendments. The Writer must be willing to act as a point of liaison between all involved parties for the duration of the project – and to always take responsibility for smooth communication. It is the Writer’s responsibility to manage all stages of the project timetable and cost. Following the completion of the proposal, it is the Writer’s responsibility to collect feedback from specialists, including reasons for success or failure, and to use this information for future proposals.

• Analysing information and using it creatively: Drawing on all available information sources, the Senior Proposals Writer must be able to form an original and persuasive argument.

• Working to tight deadlines: All proposals must be completed to deadline. This can involve working late, so some flexibility is required. At the outset of each project, a timetable/working schedule must be submitted by the Proposals Writer to all involved parties, and it is the responsibility of the Senior Writer to continually review, update and circulate this timetable as the project develops.

• ‘ Promise’ checking:The Senior Writer must work closely with support and operational departments (eg, Marketing, Tours and Exhibitions, Special Events, Operations) to ensure that the best marketing plan is offered within an allocated budget and within a feasible timeframe. Every marketing element offered to the client to promote their property (film, press, advertising, touring, exhibition design, etc) must be approved before the final proposal is sent out.

• Researching and updating information for use in proposals, such as statistics/market share for specialist categories, Proposals Library server, information on growth markets etc.

• Guiding the design process: The Senior Writer must brief a Graphic Designer within the department to produce a proposal document which meets both the expectations of the client and the specialist. The Writer should direct and oversee the entire production process, from scanning images to the layout of text and images, through to printing and binding.

• Proofing: The Senior Writer should be prepared to proof thoroughly other writers’ documents at the final stage of production.

• Help to create solutions for smaller business-getting efforts: including letter-writing, layout for illustrated letters, co-ordination of mock-ups, developing template-style documents for lower-end business-getting purposes.

What you’ll bring to the team

• A strong University degree

• Natural writing skills – including excellent grammar

• The ability to write persuasively

• An interest in Art History and the art market generally

• Be highly organised (demonstrate ability to multi-task and prioritise effectively)

• Have strong attention to detail

• Be confident, with excellent interpersonal skills

• Have proven time-management skills

• English as a first language (a second European language would be desirable)

• Be able to work on projects alone, but also collaborate well as part of a team

• Be able to work calmly under pressure

• Have a strong sense of personal accountability

• Be computer literate (InDesign, Photoshop and GoMobile will can be given)

• Be numerate and have keen analytical skills

• Have an excellent aesthetic sensibility

• Be prepared to work the hours necessary to meet tight deadlines

• Be able to manage specialist’s expectations in terms of timing, costs and design

What’s great about working for us

• 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave  

• Christie’s Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 1st Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family

• Additional 1 week’s annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on

• Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that’s important to you

• Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about

• Flexible Fitness Fund - £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable)

• Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues

• Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year)

• Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie’s)

• Private Health Insurance – no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members

• Dental Insurance – (may be extended at personal cost)

• Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months

• Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day

• Employee Assistance Programme – access to personal advice and support services including counselling

• Eyecare vouchers (once a year)

• Cycle to Work scheme

• Christie’s Extras – discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops

• Seniorcare by Lottie, a comprehensive eldercare solution

• Robust family first policy:

Ø 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave

Ø Eligible to return to work for 80% of your agreed normal weekly working pattern while being paid as though you were working 100%, post a minimum of 16 weeks of leave

Ø Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year

Ø Christies Family Network Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…

* Christie’s reserves the right to change company benefits at any time

Closing Date: Sunday 24th May

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