Christie's Specialist Training Programme

Overview  |  Specialist Profiles

Excitement, knowledge and international travel combined with the chance to work with some of the world’s most interesting and beautiful objects are just some of the benefits of joining Christie’s Specialist Training Programme.

The programme consists of 4 - 6 rotations over a 24 month period around our International departments and locations. These rotations will not only include specialist departments but also our support functions to give you a real grounding in understanding the way our business operates. Placements may be in our London, New York, Paris or Hong Kong offices, making this a truly global development programme. The programme is for graduates and non graduates with suitable experience.

Our selection process is challenging and places on our programme are highly sought after. If you complete our unique training programme successfully, there is the prospect of an exciting career in the art world.

An Insight into the Training Programme

This unique training programme provides a firm grounding in both the art market and the underlying art scholarship as well as the commercial business of art sales and an auction house.

Learning through experience
Through hands-on placements in a range of departments you will reveal new skills and interests. The scope is broad, giving you access to the inner workings, both administrative and technical, of an auction house. You will be able to learn the techniques involved in handling works of art: from research and authentication to providing estimates and cataloguing. You will need an open mind, plenty of flexibility and enthusiasm for the job.

You will be at the heart of the world’s foremost art business, and by seizing every opportunity you will learn a great deal - laying the required foundation necessary for a successful career at Christie's

Building client relationships
Clients are the primary focus of our attention. You will need to learn what they expect from us and how to live up to the most exacting standards of client service. We aim to exceed the expectations of our clients and consider all of our staff to be Christie’s ambassadors.

Discovering the auction world
Art sales are at the heart of our business. The sale is the moment when all the hard work comes together and it provides a great opportunity to display teamwork and organisational skills. No sooner does the hammer come down on the last lot of a sale than the next exciting event occurs.

Perhaps an outstanding collection has been discovered, or the next catalogue deadline needs to be met. Maybe you will be helping to develop new client contacts or working on an exhibition launch...

... Along with the glamour is hard work behind the scenes. You will be given the opportunity to examine the intricate workings of Christie’s from the inside: processes, contracts, consignment agreements, financial management, sales administration and the interaction between support departments and specialist art departments.

No training programme would be complete without a little diversity so, at some point, you will probably find yourself in the warehouse unpacking a crate to establish an inventory or handling seat reservations for an evening auction.

Wherever you start your training, you will be considered a key member of the team as soon as you arrive. You can look forward to a friendly atmosphere with contagious enthusiasm and passion for our work.

What Christie's is looking for
By looking at the successful development of our own staff, we have compiled a list of the attributes that we are looking for in a candidate;

• Commercial/business experience (minimum 2 years)
• A degree in an arts related subject or a one-year diploma from Christie’s Education or similar organisation
• A passion for the arts
• An understanding and knowledge of the art market
• Enthusiasm for the job and dedication
• Customer focus and interpersonal qualities
• Team spirit
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Proficiency in at least one other language
• Leadership experience
• Project management experience
• Research skills
• An international outlook
• IT skills

All candidates will need to have a valid work permit or other appropriate immigration status in order to enable them to work in the country in which they wish to follow the programme. If a work permit or other appropriate immigration document is required the candidate must notify the Human Resources Department in order for the appropriate arrangements to be made. Any offer will be conditional upon the appropriate immigration clearances being obtained.

Please see the brochure for further information about the programme.

Specialist Training Programme Brochure

Applications for 2009 are now closed and our next intake will be in 2011. If you have applied for the 2009 intake we will be contacting successful candidates at each stage of the selection process as outlined in the brochure. Due to the high number of applications we are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.

For other job opportunities at Christie’s you may also register your CV / Resume, or send it speculatively, by visiting the main job opportunities section of our website.