Gallery Assistant – Sales
Who We Are
Since 1996, Gajah Gallery has been a pioneering body in the Southeast Asian arts scene, representing a portfolio of the region’s leading artists as well as engaging the brightest emerging talents in contemporary art today. From humble beginnings in Singapore at Monk’s Hill, the Gallery has since expanded to a huge, beautifully-designed industrial warehouse space in Tanjong Pagar, and opened a second exhibition space in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Gallery also runs a collaborative platform and exhibition house, in the thriving arts city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Each of these spaces are fuelled with a unique atmosphere, that invites an interplay of contemporary aesthetics and critical discourse.
Gajah Gallery remains dedicated to promoting artists from the region and highlighting their international relevance. Over the years the gallery has built a legacy of initiatives such as re-invigorating academic contributions to the category of Indonesian art and history, creating landmark shows such as Lokanat: Ground Zero which travelled to Yangon, Intersections: Latin American and Southeast Asian Contemporary Art which travelled to Havana, Cuba and the founding of art institute Yogya Art Lab (YAL). Through significant collaborations with Singapore Art Museum (SAM), National University of Singapore Museum, and hosting at least five spectacular exhibitions each year, Gajah Gallery cements its commitment to supporting leading artists and nurturing emerging international talent, ensuring our content is as compelling as our curatorial concepts.
Job Description
Job Title: Gallery Assistant – Sales
Locations: Singapore
Department: Sales
Job Category: Assistant
Job Type: Full Time
ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Reporting to: Head of Sales Singapore
JOB SUMMARY
As Gallery Assistant – Sales for the Gallery, you will play a pivotal role in fostering relationships with artists, collectors, and cultural institutions. The ideal candidate is passionate and interested in the arts and is eager to learn. Superior communication skills, the ability to multitask under pressure, and good knowledge of Southeast Asian Art are required. Must be comfortable with improvising, taking initiative, and be calm under pressure. Discretion, a collaborative spirit and a positive attitude are essential requirements for these roles. You must also be confident, highly presentable and with an understanding of exceptional customer service.
The job description is intended to be an outline of the duties and responsibilities for this role. This is not exhaustive, and it is likely to change over time. You may be expected to undertake other duties that are commensurate with this role
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Sales
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- Working alongside Head of Sales in conversations with collectors, artists and institution
- Assist in monitoring online sales platforms
- Interacting with the public in front-facing capacity including answering phone calls and fielding visitors and collector’s questions.
- Supporting the design and development of digital sales tools
- Support our current loyal client base, as well as proactively building and nurturing new customer relationships
- Monitoring and research global art markets and implementing sales strategies
- Work with other teams (Marketing, Curatorial) to provide content and support for exhibition related matters.
- Ensure timely follow up with clients after exhibition and art fairs
- Generate accurate and timely invoices to clients
- Respond to email inquiries and other inquiries through 3rd party sales channels such as Ocula and Artsy
- Maintain up to date and comprehensive client information
- Build customer service relationship for effective and comprehensive coverage
- Update Gallery Manager daily on customer’s general business
- Achieve monthly and yearly sales targets
- Manage specific portfolios under his/her responsibility.
Market Research and Observation
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- Work with colleagues to transform market intelligence into sales opportunities
- Attend gallery and museum exhibitions to increase visibility in the art world
- Work closely with Gallery team to plan, organise and install art fair booths in specific markets
- Monitor any possible market changes or shifts in customer’s demand and preferences.
Exhibition/Fair Management
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- Responsible for air fair applications
- Completing all administration tasks relating to the participation in fairs, including submission of forms and artworks
- Liaise with fairs to ensure all relevant information is received prior to event.
- Assist with press and catalogue entry and preparation of fair materials
- Coordinating transport to ensure all artworks arrive and depart safely.
- Assist with all on-site aspects of art fairs
- Assist with move-in and move-out of art fairs
- Prepare shipment to client for sold works after the fair
- Working closely with exhibitions team ensuring exhibition-related programmed are aligned with direction of exhibitions
- Working with other department heads to ensure teams run smoothly and maintain harmonious working methods and communications
- Directly line manage 3-4 staff ensuring these staff members feel supported, nurtured and equipped with the relevant information to carry out their duties effectively
Administrative
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- Provide general support to visitors
- Provide information by answering general questions and requests
- Carry out administrative duties such as filing, typing, copying, binding, scanning etc.
- Handle sensitive information in a confidential manner
- Oversee and supervise the work of junior staff
- Provide administrative support for gallery activities and manage curatorial projects
JOB HOLDER’S SPECIFICATIONS
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- Comfortable being in a front-facing in-person role
- Possess a diploma or post-graduate degree preferably in the Arts/Arts History/Art Management
- Keen interest in and strong knowledge of SEA art history
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Applications
- Thorough knowledge and appreciation for the artist represented by the Gallery
- Strong organisational, project management, and inter-personal skills, able to work independently and as part of a team
- Able to withstand work pressure and customer’s demands
- Able to work on weekend and at after hour events
- Ability to treat sensitive information with appropriate discretion
- Entails moderate physical duties daily
- Travel is required
- Punctuality in all aspects of the position
- Dress Code: Smart Casual
