Deputy Head of Jewellery, Silver & Watches - Maidenhead

About us

Dawsons are leading international Valuers & Auctioneers, established in 2016. We provide professional, discrete current market valuation and sales advice for Fine Jewellery, Watches, Fine & Contemporary Art, Entertainment Memorabilia, Antiques, and family heirlooms.

We broadcast sales live across multiple auction platforms to a global audience of over 10 million active bidders for maximum exposure, whilst our in-house marketing team create bespoke dynamic content to ensure competitive bidding and the highest returns for our clients. 

About the role

Our Jewellery, Silver & Watches business has achieved year on year growth of 25% for each of the past 3 years, with an annual hammer of c£4million. Based from our purpose built Jewellery showroom in Maidenhead, reporting to and working directly with our Head of Department - Jewellery, Silver & Watches, the successful applicant will play a crucial role in helping to ensure the continued success of Dawsons’ Fine Jewellery, Silver & Watches auctions.

Duties will include:

·      Assisting Head of Department – Jewellery, Silver & Watches with the overall running of the Department

·      Overseeing and administering your own and the team’s auction valuations for clients, both walk-in (at our Maidenhead offices), and online – with a view to winning all the business suitable for our sales

·      Overseeing and administering your own and the team’s accurate market valuations for the purposes of insurance, and probate – these may take place at our Maidenhead offices, or onsite at a client’s premises

·      Overseeing and ensuring the accurate completion of all cataloguing for monthly sales to a deadline – digital catalogues need to be online 2 weeks in advance of – the live Fine Jewellery, Watches & Silver auction, and the online Jewellery, Silver & Watches Timed auction

·      Overseeing and helping to organise layout of Jewellery, Silver & Watches for viewing days prior to sale

·      Overseeing and helping monitor and advise clients who are viewing Jewellery, Silver & Watches prior to a sale

·      Overseeing and ensuring the completion of condition reports in the buildup to a sale and on auction day itself

·      Overseeing and ensuring assistance is in place on auction day, including - telephone bidding, and clerking

·      Maintaining and developing existing client relationships (private & professional) to establish repeat business

·      Winning and retaining new private clients who are interested in buying or selling at Dawsons

·      Assisting the Head of Department in attending offsite valuation days and talks

·      Attend networking events to help growth of Dawsons’ private (& professional) client base

About you

·      An ability to influence and encourage best practice amongst colleagues within the Department 

·      A need to be successful and a desire to progress your career

·      A passion for Jewellery and the auction industry

·      A high level of attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task and prioritise a busy workload in order to meet deadlines is essential

·      An ability to work under pressure and on your own initiative 

·      A sound knowledge of watches or silver is desirable

·      A GIA or Gem-A Graduate Gemmologist qualification is preferred

·      Experience within the auction industry is preferred, or proven luxury sales experience, ideally within the Jewellery industry

·      A reliable, ambitious and hardworking individual who has a positive, can-do attitude

·      A smart appearance and excellent, professional manner

What is on offer:

·      Full time / permanent role

·      Monday to Friday: 9am – 5:30pm

·      Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 p.a. dependant on experience

·      Additional commission upon hitting auction targets

·      Full training provided, and the opportunity to be part of a fast growing and innovative company

·      Walking distance from Maidenhead train station

·      Free onsite parking