Careers At Sworders

Department Head | Design

­­­­Reports to: James Pickup, Director
Department: Design
Location: Stansted

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Outline summary

An exciting opportunity has emerged to join our dynamic and growing Design department as the Head of Design. This role is perfect for someone with a true passion for design and a sharp eye for detail, who is eager to drive strategic growth and business development of the Design department. The role involves developing and executing comprehensive strategies, fostering client relationships, and leading a dynamic team to achieve department goals, aiming to enhance the department's profile and increase business turnover. The position requires an experienced professional with a proven track record in strategic planning, business getting, and team leadership.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Development 

• A proven and demonstrated passion for Collectible Design, this includes a deep understanding of the market trends, historical influences, and the evolving demands of collectors.
• Develop and implement strategies to drive the growth and development of the growing Design department in alignment with company objectives and market trends.
• Set and agree on strategic goals and targets with the board, ensuring alignment with overall company vision.
• Produce and present annual and quarterly business plans that outline growth strategies and projected business turnover.
• Regularly update and report progress to the board, providing strategic insights and recommendations.

Business Development 

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities to increase consignments and enhance department turnover.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with high-value clients, agents, and business getters to secure consignments.
• Increase average lot values and raise hammer prices, thereby improving profit margins.
• Act as the primary point of contact for high-value clients and key business partners, ensuring excellent service and satisfaction.

Team Leadership and Management

• Managing and leading the Design sale including overseeing the photography and cataloguing.
• Structure the department to optimise operational efficiency and support the overall company objectives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the team, fostering a positive and high-performance work environment.
• Conduct regular team meetings to ensure alignment with department goals and company objectives.
• Identify training and development needs within the team and implement appropriate support mechanisms.

Client Engagement and Relationship Management 

• Develop and maintain long-term relationships with clients to secure repeat business and foster loyalty.
• Ensure client satisfaction by addressing concerns and resolving issues promptly and effectively.

Marketing and Promotion

• Work alongside Marketing to develop and execute marketing strategies to promote the Design department and its auctions.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to create effective promotional materials, social media campaigns, and advertising strategies.
• Led the articles for magazines and publications.
• Enhance the online visibility of the department through engaging content and strategic online presence in line with market trends.
• Manage and organise off site valuations to

Compliance and Valuation Services 

• Ensure compliance with Sworders’ policies regarding auction items and valuation standards.
• Provide expert valuation services, ensuring adherence to all relevant legislation and industry standards.
• Stay updated with market trends, fashion, and auction prices to provide accurate and fair valuations.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Support and attend Sworders events and initiatives, promoting a positive and proactive approach.
• Ensure familiarity and compliance with all internal policies and procedures, including data protection and anti-money laundering processes.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Proven knowledge and understanding of the auction business.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in valuation and business getting/ development.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Client-focused with a drive to deliver excellent service.
• Self-motivated with the confidence to work independently.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Experience in building effective relationships with external partners.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of Microsoft software and database management.
• Valid driving license and access to a vehicle.

What we offer!

Family first

• Flexible working, we are committed to providing flexibility in how and where work is performed to accommodate our diverse workforce.

Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Programme, our range of confidential services and resources is here to help you navigate personal and professional challenges.
• Company events, seasonal parties, connections with schools, charitable contributions and more
• Breaks, encourage staff to have a break during the day including the flexibility to take as long as you need

Development

• Education, we offer and encourage our staff to further develop their experiences, both through internal and external avenues.

Sustainability

• We are proud to be an accredited Climate Perks employer, offering up to two additional paid “journey days” on top of standard annual leave to staff who elect to travel via land or sea as opposed to flying when travelling abroad - empowering them to act on their values
• Free onsite parking: at our main Auction Rooms

If you are enthusiastic and looking to establish yourself in an exciting role please send your CV with a brief covering letter outlining why you are perfect for Sworders to Jo Winter – jowinter@sworder.co.uk

Jewellery Valuer

­­­­Reports to: Head of Jewellery Department
Department: Jewellery
Location: Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8GE
Salary: On application, subject to experience

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Outline summary

We are looking for an experienced jewellery valuer and cataloguer to collate and run our interim Jewellery Sales and to work alongside our head of department with our Fine Jewellery Sales.

You will provide effective jewellery valuation service to clients, both in person valuations and online requests, taking account of commercial fashions, trends, and hammer prices to ensure information provided is fair and achievable.

Provide jewellery valuations for insurance and probate, where required, ensure information provided accurately reflects the market and all relevant legislation is adhered to. Take part in valuation days and events at Sworders Stansted and London offices, as well as external events, where appropriate.

Maintain a commercial view of the jewellery business, support the department head with the development of business leads and consignments to aid department growth, increase average hammer prices and turnover.

Liaise with clients and foster effective relationships to enhance Sworders business. Provide first line contact to clients wishing to consign jewellery and ensure they are kept up to date with valuations and sale allocations. Undertake cataloguing of items entered for auction, researching where necessary to ensure accuracy of information.

Work effectively as part of a team, assist in the planning and development of auctions to ensure success, including inputting ideas for presentation of items for sale and supporting the development of junior staff. Provide materials for social media campaigns, writing blogs and internet content to enhance online visibility. Assist in the set up and presentation of jewellery sales within the auction rooms and take part in preview days and events.

Actively show support for Sworders events and incentives, taking part where availability allows. Adhere to Sworders internal policies and procedures, including, but not limited to Sworders Privacy Policy, Data Protection and Confidentiality Policies, AML requirements, and Sworders Staff Handbook.

Responsibilities

Provide jewellery valuation services to clients, ensuring confidence in Sworders valuation services to foster effective relationships

• Undertake visits to client properties for the purpose of valuation for sale, probate or insurance, as required and provide appropriate reports, ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, including but not limited to, Inheritance Tax Act 1984, Data Protection Act 2018, UK General Data Protection Regulations 2018
• Take part in valuation days and events in Sworders offices and off site, where appropriate
• Keep up to date with recent fashions, trends and auction prices to ensure the information provided is fair and achievable
• Provide inhouse jewellery valuations to clients
• Liaise with administration teams in relation to client business, as required
• Ensure information is obtained from clients to comply with AML requirements
• Respond to email jewellery valuation requests without undue delay
• Catalogue items consigned for auction, undertaking any research necessary, provide accurate condition reports and ensure compliance with Sworders in house style 

Build effective relationships with clients for long term engagement with Sworders, sustaining effective business relationships. Maintain a commercial view of the business, supporting the department to aid department growth. 

• Provide first line response and contact for clients wishing to consign items for sale
• Foster effective relationships with agents and business getters to secure jewellery items for forthcoming sales
• Effectively manage client relationships, providing point of contact to manage queries
• Maintain a commercial view of the business
• Support the department head with the development of business leads and consignments
• Deal with any issues as they arise to ensure sustainable relationships and prevent escalation of complaints
• Ensure client contact information is accurately recorded on Sworders database

Support the successful development of the department and in the operations relating to the presentation of sales

• Work effectively as part of a team, supporting colleagues in the development and presentation of successful auctions
• Develop and support the department junior valuer
• Comply with Sworders policies relating to jewellery items accepted for auction and thresholds
• Support the team with lotting sales and work independently, if necessary, to ensure sales are ready for export onto websites within set timeframe, liaising with the administration team where appropriate
• Present ideas and support the presentation of sale items so they are well presented to potential buyers, in online catalogues and sale listings
• Assist in the setup of the auction for viewing and participate in viewing events, where needed
• Undertake research and provide content for social media campaigns, blogs and internet content to reach a wide audience and increase online traffic

Adhere to Sworders internal policies and procedures.

• Ensure familiarity and compliance with Sworders staff handbook and comply with all Sworders internal policies and procedures, including but not limited to Data Protection and Privacy Policies, Anti-Money Laundering processes
• Attend sworders events where appropriate and availability allows
• Provide support for Sworders initiatives and have a positive attitude to change and development

Person Specification

Required skills

• Possess a gemmology qualification or equivalent
• Possess a diamond grading qualification
• Excellent customer service skills
• A good team player
• Knowledge and understanding of the jewellery industry with valuation and cataloguing experience
• A positive attitude to change and development

• Client focused with a drive to deliver excellent service
• Flexibility to take on additional tasks/responsibilities
• Self-motivated with the confidence to work on their own initiative without the need for direction
• Enthusiastic with a willingness to learn
• Excellent organisational skills
• Process driven
• The ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Desirable skills

• Registered valuer with NAJ or JAV
• Auction house or retail valuation experience
• Confidence in talking with the public
• Knowledge in the use of Microsoft
• Experience of building effective relationships with external partners

If you are enthusiastic and looking to establish yourself in an exciting role please send your CV with a brief covering letter outlining why you are perfect for Sworders to Jo Winter – jowinter@sworder.co.uk