Head of Research, Impressionist & Modern Art at Christie’s
Application deadline: 7 August 2026
Location: New York, United States
Position type: Full-time
Salary: $90,000–$120,000 per year
Additional compensation: Discretionary performance bonus
Experience required: At least five years
Job reference: JR00014873
The Role
Christie’s is seeking a Head of Research and Senior Writer to lead scholarly research and writing for its Impressionist and Modern Art department.
The successful candidate will compose extensively researched lot essays for Impressionist and Modern works offered through Christie’s 20th Century Evening Sale, its leading global sales platform for art from this period.
Working closely with specialists and colleagues across the department, the Head of Research will maintain exceptional standards across writing, editing, proofreading and copyediting. They will also contribute to client-facing materials, including proposals, collection dedications and bespoke catalogues.
Applicants must provide a relevant writing sample. Applications submitted without one will not be considered.
20th Century Evening Sale Responsibilities
The Head of Research will:
- Research and write compelling scholarly essays about Impressionist and Modern works included in the 20th Century Evening Sale
- Collaborate with specialists and other departmental stakeholders to ensure the timely production and approval of essays
- Manage the production and publication of digital lot essays on Christie’s website
- Select comparative and contextual images to accompany essays
- Work with Christie’s copyright team to source illustrations and secure permissions before print and online publication deadlines
- Collaborate with the Creative team and Impressionist and Modern Art specialists on dedicated and single-owner catalogues
- Contribute writing, comparative material and editorial direction to catalogue design, layout and presentation
- Produce research and writing for proposals, collection dedications and other business development documents
- Commission and manage internal and external essay writers
- Recruit, train and supervise freelance writers when required
- Lead guided tours during pre-sale exhibitions
Head of Research Responsibilities
The successful candidate will also:
- Work with the Head of Research for Europe, the Middle East and Africa to develop Christie’s global research strategy for Impressionist and Modern Art
- Support the wider international research team with lot essays and business development materials for other sale locations
- Develop relationships with external writers, scholars and institutions
- Strengthen connections between external experts and Christie’s research team
- Develop and deliver regular training on auction writing, research practices and Christie’s essay design and proofreading systems
- Oversee the Impressionist and Modern Art library
- Manage the acquisition and cataloguing of new publications
- Monitor the general organisation and maintenance of the departmental library
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must have:
- An undergraduate degree
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with Impressionist and Modern Art
- At least five years of relevant professional experience
- A strong record of scholarly research and writing
- Exceptional written and spoken communication skills
- Strong project management abilities
- The ability to manage competing priorities and meet multiple deadlines
- Proficiency with Outlook and Microsoft Office
- The ability to learn Christie’s internal systems and databases
A master’s degree in art history is strongly preferred.
Skills and Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
- Intellectually curious, energetic and self-motivated
- Able to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
- Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
- An effective collaborator across different departments and international locations
- Able to remain calm in stressful situations
- A creative and pragmatic problem-solver
- Highly organised and attentive to detail
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $90,000–$120,000 per year.
The advertised salary does not include discretionary bonus compensation or overtime pay.
Christie’s benefits package includes:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance for employees and dependants, with Christie’s paying an average of 80% of premiums
- A 401(k) savings plan with matching contributions of up to 5%, subject to applicable limits
- Employer-funded life insurance worth three times the employee’s base salary
- Employer-funded disability insurance
- Generous annual leave and other paid leave policies
- Up to 16 weeks of fully paid family leave
- Reimbursement of eligible fitness fees and memberships up to $600 per year
- An annual discretionary performance bonus programme
- Commuter benefits, including a monthly Christie’s contribution
- Up to 10 days of backup childcare or elder care through Bright Horizons
- One paid Corporate Social Responsibility day per year to support a charity
- Employee perks and discounts
About Christie’s
Christie’s is an international art and luxury business with a history spanning more than 250 years.
Its specialist art departments and operational teams work across the company to support auctions, private sales, research, exhibitions and client services. Christie’s identifies integrity, excellence, innovation, responsibility and relationships as its shared institutional values.
Christie’s is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. It provides equal opportunities to employees and applicants in accordance with federal, state and local employment legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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