Office Administrator

About Bonhams

Bonhams is a global auction house with an 18th century heritage poised for transformative change. Our global operations are based in London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong where we sell in over 60 categories, including motor cars, paintings, jewellery, and entertainment memorabilia.

About The Department

The office is located at Bowcliffe Hall in Bramham and overlooks the estate’s 28 acres of landscaped garden. The Bonhams office is in a central position for covering our regional area of Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Humberside, North Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

The team comprises of two resident valuers who advise on paintings, jewellery, silver, sculpture, furniture, whisky, wine, works of art and antiques/collectibles. We source items for sale in our London and International auction rooms and provide home visits when undertaking insurance and probate valuations, as well as house contents market valuations.

About the role

The Office Administrator provides broad and varied support to our Regional office based at Bowcliffe hall, Bramham. The role reports to the Regional Manager and supports the team of two across all administrative duties and the running of an efficient and pleasant front of house and office environment. You will have previous customer facing and administrative experience and take pride in providing service excellence. You will need to be a confident self-starter happy to work alone as much as a flexible team player ready to roll up their sleeves.

Key Responsibilities

As Office Administrator you will:

• Be the department’s experienced user of Auctioneer 3, Bonhams’ bespoke Auction Management System and primary business tool. (Training provided)
• Ensure accurate and up to date entry of customer details.
• Input the Valuer’s insurance, probate and inspection valuations and all associated paperwork.
• Ensure efficient and accurate stock control.
• Manage clients and their property throughout the sale cycle, including receipting property into A3, generating, and issuing consignment contracts, requesting, and uploading client details and payment information.
• Work with clients and external shipping partners to coordinate transportation between Bonhams locations.
• Help with both the packing and unpacking of works.
• Support with planning and programming valuation days and marketing events.
• Coordinate office operations including liaison with landlord and building facilities, contractors and suppliers ensuring the smooth running of the office for the team.
• Ensure an efficient, presentable, and pleasant office environment for the team and guests.
• Act as Front of House and first point of contact for visitors and phone enquiries ensuring all enquiries are dealt with in a courteous, timely and accurate manner.
• Support the buildings manager with health and safety items including training, record keeping and safety equipment maintenance.
• Manage office petty cash, banking, and purchase ledger systems.
• Proactively identify and implement improvements to ensure service excellence.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong time management and organisational ability.
• Excellent communication in all modes with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage workflow and priorities in a busy environment.
• A flexible approach and a willingness to support outside of your core responsibilities.
• 1-2 years in an administrative position (not necessarily from an auction background).
• Shared value in providing excellent customer service.
• Tech savvy with good competency across Microsoft Office, Word & Excel.

What we Offer

Some of our benefits and perks include:

• 28 days holidays (including Bank Holidays), increasing to 33 with service.
• Healthcare and Life Assurance
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season Ticket Loan

If you wish to apply, please send your CV and cover letter by the 17th December 2024 at midnight.

We thank you for your interest in this position but please note that we will only contact candidates chosen for further consideration.

Bonhams is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

Read Full Description