Chief of Staff

We’re looking for a talented Chief of Staff to join our team and play a pivotal role in driving our operational strategy, fostering a dynamic company culture, and supporting our rapid growth.

You’ll work closely with our CEO and leadership team to shape the future of The Auction Collective, helping us deliver exceptional services to clients while creating a workplace where our team thrives.

Please submit your CV/resume via LinkedIn (here) along with a cover letter by 3 February 2025.

Job Title: Chief of Staff 
Location: United Kingdom (With at least 1 day / week in London)
Employment Type: Full-Time

--- 

The Auction Collective  

We are a rapidly growing auction platform with bold ambitions to enable anyone in the world to run their own professional auction. 

Our clients range from global luxury brands to independent sellers running commercial and fundraising auctions in the art, luxury, wine, sport, music and film industries. Read our full story. 

Through our in-person and online auction services, we’ve helped clients sell everything from miniature artwork and charity experiences, to multi-million dollar watches, F1 cars and even George Michael’s piano. 

Inclusive, friendly and hardworking, we react quickly to our clients’ needs with innovative ways of working and new auction technology. Now, after four years of rapid growth, we have launched our new software platform for users to run auctions from their own websites: Indy.auction. We aim to make running professional and high-quality auctions available to everyone - think the auction version of Shopify.

We are beyond excited about this catalytic moment for the business and the opportunity for you to join the team. 

What You’ll Get out of the Role

This is a chance to pioneer the creation of a fast growing, energetic and innovative tech company that is set to change the future of the auction and ecommerce industry. 

You will work closely with the CEO on the operational strategy and roadmaps that will shape the future of our company, ensuring we offer highly effective services to our clients as well as creating an environment that our team love to work in every day.

As our first dedicated Chief of Staff, it is an opportunity to be involved at the start of an exciting period of growth for the company and define a company culture and fresh way of working that meets your vision.

The role also includes:

• An individual bonus, as well as a team bonus
• 25 days of annual leave, plus public holidays 
• Opportunities for travel
• Remote working 
• Flexible working hours 
• All the benefits of a WeWork office: free coffee, beer, pool table, ping pong etc.
• Inclusion in The Auction Collective pension plan
• Salary level £40,000 - 80,000 (subject to experience)

Your Key Responsibilities 

Strategy

• Working with the CEO to develop long-term operational strategies and KPIs to maximise our productivity, performance as well as the wellbeing and happiness of our global team.
• Maintaining a working knowledge of the auction and tech industries, and assessing any  challenges and opportunities for the business.
• Conducting research, analysing data, and providing insights to inform strategic decisions.

People & Culture

• Ensuring we maintain a fun and inclusive company culture by building on our 360 reviews, 4 day work week pilots, social activities, as well as developing new initiatives.
• Overseeing the recruitment, interviewing and onboarding of new hires.
• Building and running a framework for professional development within the team, including performance reviews and objective setting to help our team thrive in their careers. 
• Planning and facilitating leadership team meetings and off-sites, ensuring actionable outcomes.
• Identifying and resolving bottlenecks or misalignments within the team.

Leadership

• Acting as a sounding board and advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team.
• Overseeing the preparation of briefing documents, presentations, and materials for executive meetings.
• Representing the CEO in internal and external communications when required.
• Helping to craft and manage investor communications and reporting.

Operations

• Overseeing our operational activities and ensuring the team are aware of operational best practices and standards
• Managing relationships with priority clients, suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Working with our legal and financial partners to ensure compliance with all local and international laws, such as data management, AML regulation, auction licences and tax. 
• Project managing complex auctions and ensuring alignment across teams.
• Continuously analysing our operations, and defining roadmaps for improvement.
• Leading company-wide initiatives, special projects and managing cross-departmental collaboration.

 About our future Head of Operations / Chief of Staff 

We are looking for a true team player that is excited about the company’s future. You must share our ambitions to build a brand that provides industry-leading services for its clients, whilst also being a fun, inclusive and forward-thinking workplace for the team. 

The ideal candidate will have:

• A strong working knowledge of the auction industry and startup culture.  
• Commercial awareness and a thorough understanding of the competitive environment
• Familiarity of operational functions and principles, including employee management, customer service, finance, legal, sales and logistics. 
• Experience in implementing new processes and ways of working that boost productivity, enhance employee enjoyment, while supporting rapidly shifting business demands.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent planning, organisational and project management skills.

Next Steps

First, please submit your online profile via LinkedIn here with your detailed Resume/CV by 3 February 2025. 

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview: 

1. First Interview – To get to know each other and hear about your experiences
2. Second Interview – A deep dive into your approach to the role 
3. Third Interview – You meet others in the team and get to know each other more 

Then after the reference checks are complete, we will confirm your offer and together set your start date (which will be as soon as you can).