Specialist, Design

Rago/Wright is a leading network of auction houses specializing in fine art, design, decorative arts, jewelry and watches, and pop culture. With galleries in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Lambertville, our teams collaborate across locations to deliver exceptional auctions and exhibitions in a fast-paced, creative environment. We are seeking a full-time Specialist, Design to join our New York City team.

About the role

The ideal candidate has auction experience, expertise in design and decorative arts, strong client-facing skills, and a passion for the market. This role requires excellent organization, collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while contributing to an industry-leading team.

Responsibilities

• Consignment Team Responsibilities:
  • Develop new client relationships and execute client outreach, for both the buying and selling side of the business
  • Work specifically with the Design team to build and cover our core collecting areas
  • Manage consignments and the consignor relationship throughout the consignment process
  • Work with a team of specialists to field, price and negotiate consignment inquiries
  • Answer auction related inquiries; create and distribute auction related materials, including condition reports, and targeted selling outreach
  • Address and answer select inquiries as directed from the consignment team or received in the consignment inbox
  • Enter all inventory taken in, to inventory database program, and work with sellers to complete descriptions and provenance details as well as potential additional content on any given item or groups of items consigned
  • Support the Consignment Team on larger consignments and proposals as needed
  • Assist with local area consignment visits and auction day tasks as needed
• Client Service Responsibilities:
  • Customer service in a wide range of areas, including general and auction related inquiries via phone, web chat and client visits
  • Assist with local area consignment visits
  • Assist with auction day tasks as needed
  • Assist with pre-auction exhibition staffing, as necessary, and speak with clients about property either in person, or remotely
• Cataloguing Responsibilities:
  • Review cataloguing and condition reports prior to publication
  • Assist the teams in the warehouse with physical cataloguing and conditioning when needed
  • Work with other internal teams, including research, cataloguing, and marketing, to produce content, scholarship and expand marketing possibilities

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; prior auction house or related industry experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of design and decorative arts, with a passion for the market
• Excellent communication, negotiation, organizational, and client service skills, with strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Proficiency with workplace communication tools (e.g., Slack and email) and willingness to travel between company locations as needed

Benefits

• Competitive compensation of $75,000 - $100,000 annually, depending on experience
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided
• Eligible for annual performance bonus
• Safe Harbor 401(k) with 3% company contribution
• Basic life insurance (covered by us)
• 18 days of paid personal time off and about 10 company holidays per year, including a holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commuter Benefits Program

We work to maintain the best environment for our employees, where people can learn and grow with the company. We strive to provide a collaborative, creative environment where everyone feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.