What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Design position at Hindman?
At Hindman we believe that people are enriched and energized when they are surrounded with objects of significance and meaning. Hindman is one of the leading and fastest growing fine art auction houses in the U.S. Our values are evident in how we approach the marketplace, providing unmatched service, a focus on excellence, and holding the utmost respect for our clients and the items we steward. As a globally recognized brand, we conduct over 100 auctions each year for everything from contemporary paintings and fine jewelry to French furniture and rare books. With salerooms and business offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, DC, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Milwaukee, Naples, New York, Palm Beach, San Diego, Scottsdale, and St. Louis we stay locally relevant while passionately catering to our global sellers and buyers
The Director of Design will oversee the Design department nationally, building sales of Modern Design and Early 20th Century Design, as well as participating in Fine Art & Design Selections sales. As Senior Specialist, Director will liaise with clients and other internal business getters, providing auction estimates, sale venues, and sale strategy for consignments. Director will focus on building Hindman's customer and consignor base, Hindman’s presence in the market for Design, the strategy for growing the business, marketing for sales, strategies for selling the sales and building the buyer base. Director to lead department as manager of junior staff.
Key responsibilities:
- Oversee and manage the Design department, including all auctions, budgets and strategies
- Manage support staff
- Build on the buyer and consignor bases
- Act as the senior/expert contact to potential clients
- Proactively develop new opportunities to grow and maintain the quality of transactions with top trade and private collectors
- Research property for auction; assign auction estimates; evaluate property for IRS (estate tax, gift tax, donation, etc.) and insurance appraisals
- Collaborate with other Hindman departments to develop strategies for reaching new consignors and ensuring seamless client service
- Work with Hindman specialists to promote auctions by assisting and advising clients during auction previews, conferring with clients about the property; developing, tracking and communicating client interest and executing bids at auction
- Liaise between department and Hindman management
- Refine and create processes and standards
- Ability to build and meet budget targets
- Other duties assigned
Successful candidate will possess:
- Bachelor's Degree;
- 8-15 years of experience in the auction and/or Design industry
- In-depth knowledge of the Design market with working knowledge of 20th/21st century furniture, decorative arts, and craft; including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, modern and contemporary design
- Proven ability to lead and manage a team including ability to multi-task and prioritize
- Strong sense of professionalism; ability to project expertise and authority in field of Design
- Superior communication skills and presence
- Track record of successful client relationship management and new business generation
- Exceptional organizational skills; superior teamwork and administrative skills
- Ability to learn new internal systems and program quickly
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills
- Proven ability to deliver results
- Travel required
- Excellent client service, communication and administrative skills
- Attention to detail and process oriented
- Proficient in MS Office software; Outlook, Word, Excel
- Exceptional customer service skills
Hindman is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on identity- race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran, or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law.
Director of Business Development
ML Group Design + Development -
Skokie, IL
Design Build Project Design Director
HNTB -
Chicago, IL
Director - Packaging Design
Feastables -
Chicago, IL