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Auction House Director
As an entrepreneurial owner, director or chief operating officer of an auction house, you navigate the company, managing its finances and people to maintain and grow its reputation. You’re the one calling the shots and running the show.
Much of the role is being the face of the auction house, a personality clients trust to close each deal or sale. You probably have years of experience in the industry and honed your craft in an auction house, so you’re very comfortable with the gavel and gabble.
You probably also have a series of professional qualifications in gemmology, gemstone grading and / or jewellery valuation.
It’s likely a team of professionals – think auctioneers, heads of finance, human resources and marketing – report to you. You’re also responsible for admin and operations teams, other auctioneers, valuers and staff who move items and create displays.
Length of Training
10+ years
Salary Expectations
£35,000-60,000
Qualification Requirements
Experience
This pathway is likely the culmination of least 10 years’ experience in the industry, coming through gemmology, diamond grading, retail, sales, pawnbroking, secondhand or re-commerce venues and auction environments.
Knowledge
You’re on top of your game, with excellent networking, clientele and sector knowledge.
Your reputation is second to none thanks to your accumulated specialist knowledge and skill sets.
You’re a seasoned businessperson with a sound commercial and sales background.
Skills
• Able to get the best out of your people
• Great with figures, finance and data and performance reports
• Happy to muck in
• Understand why things do or do not work
• Able to take a strategic step back to see and understand the bigger picture
Personal Attributes
• A dynamic salesperson
• A large personality
• Able to comfortably engage, network and socialise with colleagues and clientele
• Have a head for business and be constantly on the prowl for business opportunities
Qualification Requirements
Generally, you need GCSEs and A levels to start as a salesroom assistant where you gain experience and work up to the position of auctioneer.
Established and well-known auction houses require a degree in decorative arts or a specialist domain (jewellery / silversmithing) with additional professional qualifications, like gemmology or diamond grading, for valuations. Sotheby’s and Christie’s, for example, run their own post-graduate courses and entry schemes.
Once in this field, it is possible to work towards Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) membership.
Role also Called
Business owner, Proprietor, CEO, Founder, Director, Chief auctioneer
