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

Our client is seeking an ambitious, entrepreneurial and highly accomplished Sales 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 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: £60k-70k+ (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.