Object Intelligence Researcher, Post-War & Contemporary Art

About this role

The Company

Christie’s, the world’s largest Art Business, is an incredibly exciting & enriching place to start or continue your career. Whether you work within one of our Specialist Art Departments or in our more Operational focused teams we are all working together with one common goal in mind: to continue the success of this 260 year old company, steeped in history, bringing constant innovation whilst not forgetting our age old values; Passionate Expertise, Exceptional Client Service, Teamwork, Integrity, Business Judgement & Innovation. Colleagues across all departments are truly passionate about what they do and it is constantly inspiring to work with industry leaders across all segments of the business.

Why This Role Matters

The Object Intelligence Researcher plays a central role in delivering high-quality research, data integrity, and market insight across the Post-War & Contemporary category, based in London.The role focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of individual artworks by bringing together detailed research on provenance, ownership history, pricing, exhibition activity, and broader market context. This includes ensuring that object-level information is accurate, well structured, and continuously enriched, drawing on both internal knowledge and external sources.

Working closely with Specialists and cross-functional teams, the Researcher helps ensure that this information is effectively captured and translated into meaningful insight, supporting a clear and informed view of the market and of key works.

How You'll Make An Impact

• Conduct in-depth research on high-value works of art, bringing together provenance, Ownership history, pricing, exhibition history, and broader market context from internal and external sources.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive, accurate, and well-structured object records, ensuring that all relevant information is captured, updated, and clearly documented.
• Review and enrich object data on an ongoing basis, incorporating insights generated through cataloguing, valuations, and interactions with Specialists.
• Produce high-quality reports and analysis on artworks, artists, and market segments to support departmental research, sale preparation, and strategic planning.
• Monitor the wider market, including auctions, private sales, exhibitions, galleries, and art fairs, and synthesize this activity into data that can enrich our object records.
• Track key artists, objects, and collections, maintaining a current and informed view of market activity and positioning.
• Support pre-sale and post-sale processes through research, analysis, and preparation of materials, including sale debriefs.
• Monitor competitor auction activity through attendance at key sales, preparing sale debriefs and presenting findings in partnership with the Impressionist and Modern Object Intelligence Researcher.
• Collaborate closely with Specialists and cross-functional teams to ensure research and intelligence are effectively applied and communicated.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of research tools, data quality, and working practices across Object Intelligence.
• Act as a knowledgeable resource within the department on Post-War & Contemporary Art, supporting a high standard of research and market understanding.

What You’ll Bring To The Team

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Art History or a related field
• Relevant experience in the commercial art market, with a strong focus on Post-War & Contemporary Art and proven exposure to high-value works.
• Demonstrated expertise in object-level research, including provenance, ownership, history, and market analysis, with the ability to independently lead complex research projects.
• Strong understanding of auction processes, sale cycles, and market dynamics,
• particularly within London and the broader EMEA market.
• Proven ability to interpret complex data and research into clear, well-structured insights, with a track record of contributing meaningfully to strategic discussions.
• Excellent attention to detail, combined with the ability to step back and synthesize information at a higher, strategic level.
• Significant experience working with databases and large datasets, with a strong understanding of how to structure and interpret complex information.
• Confident communicator with experience working directly with senior stakeholders and comfortable contributing perspectives in senior-level discussions.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with experience managing multiple complex, long-term projects with minimal oversight.
• High level of discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and a high degree of digital fluency, with the ability to quickly adopt and champion new systems and tools.

What’s Great About Working For Us

• 25 days annual leave + 1 day Birthday leave
• Christie’s Christmas office closure (guaranteed between 25th Dec – 1st Jan) – in addition to annual leave: almost two weeks to fully switch off and spend time with friends and family
• Additional 1 week’s annual leave within the year of a 5-year anniversary i.e. 5th, 10th, 15th and so on
• Volunteering day: Take an additional day of annual leave to volunteer for a charitable organisation that’s important to you
• Donation matching of up to £500 per annum to help you support the organisations you care about
• Flexible Fitness Fund - £400 per year expense allowance for health and wellness related activity (taxable)
• Access to world-renowned art: with regular exhibitions in our galleries to wander around and exclusive guided tours hosted by specialist colleagues
• Discretionary Bonus (dependent on the business and employee performance payable in March each year)
• Generous retirement plan: We will double match your pension contribution up to 5% of your basic salary (Max 10% contribution from Christie’s)
• Private Health Insurance – no employee contribution needed, subsidised for other family members
• Dental Insurance – (may be extended at personal cost)
• Generous Income Protection Insurance in the event of accident, sickness or injury after 12 months
• Competitive Life Insurance policy from first day
• Employee Assistance Programme – access to personal advice and support services including counselling
• Eyecare vouchers (once a year)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Christie’s Extras – discounts on over 800 retailers, holiday packages, dinners and weekly shops
• Seniorcare by Lottie, a comprehensive eldercare solution
• • Robust family first policy:

Ø 16 weeks full pay on Maternity Leave

Ø Eligible to return to work for 80% of your agreed normal weekly working pattern while being paid as though you were working 100%, post a minimum of 16 weeks of leave

Ø Dependent back-up care: 10 sessions/ days of childcare or eldercare per year

Ø Christies Family Network: Our community of parents who meet regularly over breakfasts, lunch, afternoon tea…

• Christie’s reserves the right to change company benefits at any time

About intelligence & analysis roles for ex-police

Intelligence analyst and researcher roles in corporates, consultancies and government. The National Intelligence Model, source evaluation and analytical products give ex-officers a running start.