Graduate Trainee
Salary: £30,000/annum
Full-Time
Location: Bermondsey, London
Description:
We are pleased to be offering a new position of Graduate Trainee at Kerry Taylor Auctions. This is a fixed-term 1-year placement that will give you experience of different aspects of the auction process, including administration, cataloguing, specialist research, photography and auction operations.
The role would be broad-reaching, and the successful applicant will be working with each of the different departments within the auction house in order to learn and assist with the specific needs of each.
Established in 2003, Kerry Taylor Auctions holds at least five auctions a year in London, including two ‘Passion for Fashion’ auctions which feature fine and rare costume and only the best examples of vintage haute couture.
The role will be based at our saleroom in Bermondsey, London.
Role and Responsibilities:
Administration
- Helping with day-to-day administration and organisation of the saleroom, including answering public enquiries/phone calls, responding to emails, arranging valuation appointments
- Pre-auction administration including uploading the sale catalogue to necessary websites, uploading condition reports, registering clients and bids
- Post-sale administration, including raising invoices, taking payments
- Organising shipping with the in-house shipper or by courier, packing garments carefully into bags for the shipper, recording the shipping collections, making customs invoices, and applying for export licenses if needed
- Bookkeeping – helping the admin team with accounting and managing receipts, as well as taking payments
- Receiving and receipting property from clients, recording key data for the specialists to use in cataloguing, liaising with clients to let them know when we have received property
Cataloguing/Research
- Handling fashion garments and following the house cataloguing style in order to correctly describe items for auction
- Using past sale results to create suggested valuations for new or prospective items for auction
- Writing catalogue notes/essays for high-value lots, using thorough research and an academic tone
- Using the various resources of the auction house for researching and dating lots accurately
- Conducting condition reports
Auction Operations
- Phone bidding
- Auction room clerking
- Exhibition set up and break down
- Lotting the sale
Photography
- Mounting mannequins for shooting, using the correct petticoats, undergarments and mannequin forms to accurately depict the era
- Steaming garments that require it
- Assisting the photographer with any duties they require
Essential Experience /Skills/Qualifications:
- As this role is aimed at recent graduates, specific auction house experience is not necessary. However, a hard work ethic and a desire to learn are essential.
- Good numeracy and attention to detail when handling figures
- A methodical approach to tasks, ensuring details are not missed and any errors are promptly discovered and resolved
- Competent with Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as their online counterparts on Google
- Technologically literate and able to quickly learn the various auction systems
- Meticulous attention to detail with excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Well-organised with the ability to multitask and meet tight deadlines
- Discrete, must adhere to client confidentiality and non-disclosure policy
- Excellent customer service
- A demonstrable interest in vintage fashion or fashion history, preferably with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
You will be required to work occasional Sundays before an auction or longer hours when we are on deadline.
Start: September - earlier starts will also be considered.
Applications:
Please send your CV and cover letter to: info@kerrytaylorauctions.com
