Account Manager

THE ROLE

The Valuations Department is responsible for working with clients and specialists across all categories to provide valuation services for our clients.  The Account Manager demonstrates leadership and professionalism, acting as the primary liaison between clients and their teams, Sotheby’s specialists and Senior business-getters. He/she serves as the project manager for all types of valuations and is the primary liaison throughout the entire valuation process to ensure the client experience at Sotheby's is seamless and exceptional. This role primarily focuses on projects for Priority clients that are associated with Contemporary Art and Design. The Account Manager has a very well-rounded knowledge of the client’s collection, key stakeholders and contributes to the larger client strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as valuation project manager for large, complex, long-term valuations frequently requiring organization of specialists and regional staff
• Manage the entire valuation process including but not limited to: communicating and managing client expectations; preparing valuation proposals and agreements; carrying out pre-valuation walk-throughs or document review; calculating and communicating to the client associated fees, organizing, scheduling and accompanying specialist team on client visits; following up with specialists regarding values, comparables and/or comparable basis paragraphs; setting, communicating and monitoring deadlines to clients and specialists; managing the movement of documents through the production and proofing process and producing and reviewing final documents to ensure product meets Sotheby’s high appraisal standards and sending these to the client
• Possess detailed knowledge of the types of valuations and requirements as well as IRS requirements
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with Sotheby's colleagues across many departments, as well as external clients including bankers, lawyers, advisors, family offices and collection managers
• Pro-actively build valuation opportunities through relationship development and maintenance of internal and external client relationships
• Ability to identify other business opportunities throughout the valuation process and engage the appropriate colleagues, creating proposals and acting as lead Consignment Manager when necessary
• Work with Proposals, Consignment Management, Client Strategy and Fiduciary Client Group on sale and estate related projects as needed
• Attend on-site and off-site events as required
• Participate in internal meetings, serving as a representative of Valuations
• Other strategic and ad hoc projects as assigned by Head of Department and/or Director of Account Management
• Deal with general enquiries and respond accordingly
• Lead by example serving as a role model to more junior colleagues
• Assist with training junior and/or new members of the department

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• BA and 4-6 plus years of client and/or auction related experience
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent client service skills and strong ability to problem-solve
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through skills
• Strong team player, flexible, motivated, discreet, dependable, resourceful and able to multi-task gracefully
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Ability to travel as needed
• Management experience a plus
• Sotheby’s Valuation system experience a plus
• USPAP Certified a plus
• Knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams, as well as Adobe