Description
New York, NY | Full-Time, Permanent | $65,000–$80,000 annually
Benefits include health and dental insurance.
Robert Simon Fine Art is a private gallery specializing in European Old Master paintings and the Arts of the Americas, with a particular focus on Italian paintings and women artists. Connoisseurship and scholarship at the highest level inform the works presented by the gallery.
We are seeking a Gallery Manager to play a central role in the day-to-day running of the gallery. The position is broad and varied, encompassing gallery operations, inventory management, sales administration, research, cataloguing, and direct engagement with works of art.
The ideal candidate will be personable, proactive, exceptionally organized, and comfortable with the autonomy and various demands of working in a small gallery. We are looking for someone with a serious interest in Old Master paintings and the Arts of the Americas—whether already knowledgeable in the field or eager to become so.
The Gallery Manager reports to the Director and works closely with the President.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Director and President in the administration and operations of the gallery.
- Manage gallery inventory, including the inventory database and digital artwork files.
- Oversee incoming and outgoing artworks and coordinate shipping.
- Maintain the gallery website, online selling platforms, social media (Instagram), and contacts database.
- Manage daily gallery operations, including opening and closing the gallery, monitoring phones and email, and directing incoming inquiries.
- Assist with sales presentations and client appointments, including preparing materials, hanging and lighting artworks, and coordinating framing or conservation as needed.
- Assist with consignment agreements, appraisals, and other paperwork.
- Manage preparations for art fairs, including logistics, insurance, artwork documentation, and production of labels.
- Assist the Director with research and the preparation of catalogue entries.
- Catalogue artworks and conduct research using scholarly literature, archives, provenance resources, auction records, and other relevant sources.
Requirements
Ideal Attributes and Experience
- A degree in Art History, Museum/Arts Administration, or a related field; an advanced degree is a plus.
- At least 2–3 years of relevant experience, ideally in a gallery, auction house, museum, or comparable arts environment.
- Knowledge of and enthusiasm for Old Master paintings and/or the Arts of the Americas is a strong plus; equally important are natural curiosity and a serious desire to develop one’s knowledge.
- Detail-oriented, methodical, and exceptionally organized; comfortable overseeing multiple projects and frequent task switching.
- Strong research, writing, and editing skills.
- A proactive communicator who is comfortable dealing with people and interacting professionally with collectors, museum professionals, scholars, and other gallery contacts.
- Self-directed and able to work independently or as part of a small team.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel; familiarity with Photoshop, InDesign, gallery-management software, and other digital tools is a plus.
- Reading knowledge, if not fluency, in another European language, especially Italian or Spanish, is a plus.
- The ideal candidate should also be not too proud to answer the phone, schlep a painting, hang a picture, go to the post office, unpack a crate, or take on the other practical tasks that are part of life in a small gallery.
This is a full-time, primarily in-person position at the gallery on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Some flexibility to work remotely may be available when gallery responsibilities permit. Regular hours are approximately 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., with occasional evening or weekend obligations for events and art fairs.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
How to Apply
Please email a CV/resume and cover letter to dfj@robertsimon.com with the subject line “Gallery Manager Application.”
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through September 15.
