Job Title:                   Art Handler / Driver

Reports to:                 Team Leader, Art Handler

Responsible for:        None

Purpose of job:          To work across all departments of the auction house on the moving, hanging and storing of an extensive range of art and objects, ensuring the safety of both people and property; to drive the van on a weekly basis

Main contacts:          Internal: team of art handlers; Art Handler Team Leader; photography; specialist departments; client liaison staff; CSK staff

External: contractors, shipping providers

Contract type:           Permanent

Hours:                        5 days a week (40 hours) – Monday to Friday

Location:                   Based at Chiswick HQ but with frequent visits to Chiswick South Kensington (CSK)

 

Context

Chiswick Auctions is a privately owned, well-established London auction house which is fast becoming a major player in the international art market. With 20 specialist departments, regular dedicated and themed sales are held across a breadth of specialisms. In addition, monthly Interiors, Homes and Antiques sales contribute to a busy calendar of 100 auctions per year.

The main headquarters is based in Chiswick, with a showroom in South Kensington (CSK), and with regular valuation events held in the UK. Chiswick Auctions employs around 62 staff.

The Art Handlers are a crucial component in the smooth operation of the auction house. Working closely with the specialist departments, photography and client liaison staff, they are involved with the full 'life cycle' of art and objects through the house - from consignment from the vendor to the moment the item leaves the building for its new owner.

 

Areas of Responsibility

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

 

Working with the team of Art Handlers to ensure:

 

  • The provision of excellent client service, both internally and externally

 

  • Exceptional care in the handling, moving and storing of property, to ensure the safety of both people and objects

 

  • Adherence to all deadlines for the preparation of sales for exhibition and transport, including planning and communication with all sale specialists and valuers

 

  • Sale set-ups, views and breakdowns are properly carried out

 

  • Responsibility for the three public rooms (Gallery, Middle Room, and Saleroom) and the consignments and valuation areas within these rooms, in conjunction with the Team Leader, Art Handlers

 

  • The Go Auction system is kept up-to-date with stock processing and collection management

 

  • Property is accurately labelled and stored according to the agreed system

 

  • The system for collections is properly adhered to

 

  • Incidents, accidents, damages and losses are reported and an accident report completed

 

Driving the van

 

  • On a weekly basis at least, to drive the van to collect property across London and occasionally further afield

                                                                                                           

General

 

  • Ensure compliance with all internal policies and procedures, particularly health and safety policies and the dress and appearance policy

 

  • Carry out health and safety risk assessments

 

  • Participate in organization-wide meetings, activities and processes, and develop internal contacts, networks and interactions as appropriate

 

  • Carry out other duties as required by the Managing Director, Executive Directors and Directors

 

 

Person Specification

 

Essential qualifications

 

  • Full, clean driving license

 

  • Applicants must be over 30 in order to be compliant with the van insurance

 

Essential skills and experience

 

  • Experience in a client / customer-facing fast-paced environment; first class client service skills

 

  • Ability to undertake frequent heavy lifting, and work at height on ladders and mechanical platforms

 

  • Experience of driving vans in cities and packing vans efficiently

 

  • A demonstrable understanding of the personal responsibility for health and safety for self and others

 

  • Excellent communication (both verbal and written) and interpersonal skills

 

  • A manner that is calm, approachable and professional, with a 'can-do' attitude

 

  • Enthusiastic, honest, highly self-motivated

 

  • Ability to work to tight auction deadlines, and to cope with multiple priorities

 

  • Ability to learn Chiswick Auctions’ systems including Go Auction

 

  • Strong attention to detail and high level organisation skills

 

  • Ability to thrive within a fast-paced team environment

 

 

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

 

  • A Levels or higher

 

  • A health and safety qualification

 

  • Experience in handling art works / objects for a museum, auction house, gallery or commercial institution

 

  • Excellent knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite

 

Please send your CV and cover letter to Tony Mallah, tony.mallah@chiswickauctions.co.uk.