Sales Associate/Associate Director for an Established, International, Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery in London

Our client is seeking an ambitious, entrepreneurial, and highly accomplished Sales Associate/Associate Director to join its London gallery.

This is a senior commercial role for an experienced art market professional with an established international network of collectors, family offices, advisors and institutions, and a demonstrable record of generating significant sales across the primary and secondary markets.

Working closely with the Gallery Director and senior leadership, the Sales Associate/Associate Director will play a key role in driving the commercial success of the London gallery while contributing to our client’s long-term client development strategy.

Key Responsibilities Sales & Business Development

• Develop and maintain relationships with existing collectors while actively identifying and cultivating new clients worldwide.
• Consistently achieve and exceed ambitious sales targets across modern, post-war and contemporary art.
• Lead negotiations from initial enquiry through to successful acquisition, ensuring an exceptional level of client service throughout.
• Generate new business through proactive outreach, networking, referrals and strategic relationship building.
• Identify opportunities for private sales, secondary market consignments and collection acquisitions.
• Prepare bespoke artwork proposals, presentations and collection recommendations tailored to individual collectors.

Client Relationship Management

• Build trusted long-term relationships with collectors, advisors, family offices, museums and corporate clients.
• Develop a deep understanding of each client's collecting interests and provide strategic acquisition advice.
• Host private appointments, exhibition tours and VIP events while representing the gallery with professionalism and discretion.
• Maintain accurate records within the gallery CRM and ensure consistent client follow-up.

International Representation

• Represent the client at international art fairs, museum events, exhibition openings and collector functions.
• Travel internationally as required to meet clients and develop new business opportunities.
• Act as an ambassador for the gallery, maintaining the highest professional standards and reinforcing the gallery’s global reputation.

Leadership

• Mentor junior members of the sales team through example, guidance and commercial support.
• Share market knowledge, sales strategies and best practice.
• Foster a collaborative, client-focused and results-driven culture.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a senior sales position within a leading commercial gallery, auction house or art advisory.
• An established international network of private collectors and art professionals.
• A proven history of closing high-value transactions and consistently exceeding sales objectives.
• Excellent negotiation, presentation and relationship management skills.
• Strong knowledge of the international contemporary and modern art market.
• Confidence discussing art history, artists' practices and market trends with sophisticated collectors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience using CRM platforms and maintaining detailed client records.
• Flexibility to travel internationally and work evenings or weekends during exhibitions, events and art fairs.

Personal Qualities

• Commercially driven with an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Highly personable, confident and discreet.
• Naturally skilled at building trust and long-term relationships.
• Self-motivated, proactive and resilient.
• Collaborative and supportive team player.
• Passionate about art and committed to delivering an exceptional collector experience.

Salary: £45-60k (flexible depending on experience) plus commission on sales

Availability: Full-time, onsite. Need to be available 2-3 weekend days per month due to high sales potential on weekends.