Property Associate at Freeman's Auction House – Chicago, Illinois

Company Culture

At Freeman’s we believe that people are enriched and energized when they are surrounded with objects of significance and meaning. Freeman’s is one of the leading and fastest growing fine art auction houses in the U.S. Our values are evident in how we approach the marketplace, providing unmatched service, a focus on excellence, and holding the utmost respect for our clients and the items we steward. As a globally recognized brand, we conduct over 100 auctions each year for everything from contemporary paintings and fine jewelry to French furniture and rare books. With six salerooms in Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, New York, Palm Beach, and Philadelphia, we stay locally relevant while passionately catering to our global sellers and buyers.

Position Summary

The primary focus of the Property Associate is to ensure that all inventory is accurately accounted for and that storage areas consistently meet Freeman’s high standards of cleanliness and organization. This role includes properly tagging decorative lots prior to sale, assisting with preview set-ups and breakdowns, and supporting the development of the production schedule for decorative and furniture items. The Property Associate actively promotes the Freeman’s brand in daily interactions with clients and team members, adhering to the five principles of client interaction in all communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, unpack, and handle incoming property from consignors, including fine furniture, fine art, and other valuable objects.
• Conduct condition checks and document any damage or irregularities.
• Log, tag, and catalog all property in the company database, maintaining accurate inventory.
• Track, trace, and resolve issues with missing property, coordinating with relevant departments.
• Move, store, and package property safely and efficiently.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient dock and warehouse area, including disposal of packing materials.
• Assist the Property Department with set-up and breakdown of exhibitions, auction previews, and company events (e.g., hanging art, arranging furniture, positioning display cases).
• Support the Photography Department during property photo shoots.
• Help the Shipping Department prepare and package outgoing property for shipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the Director of Operations and overall company operations.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 1 year experience packing a wide range of property, from small objects to flat works, ideally within the art world.
• Experience with gallery installations, including hanging various types of flat property.

Essential Skills

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong client service orientation with professionalism and discretion.
• Detail-oriented with excellent follow-up, multitasking, and time management abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word and Excel).
• Able to thrive in fast-paced environments, work under pressure, and meet strict deadlines.
• Highly motivated and eager to contribute to a dynamic team.

Values

• Excellence: Setting the standard in auction and appraisal services through expertise and meticulous attention to detail.
• Integrity: Upholding honesty and transparency in all interactions with clients, partners, and colleagues.
• Judgment: Incorporating experience, empathy, and integrity to always deliver client centric decisions and actions that uphold our brand.
• Collaboration: Working together with our team and clients to achieve shared goals and exceed expectations.
• Responsiveness: Delivering timely and tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of every client.

Physical Needs

• Flexible to work extra hours or weekends as needed, following labor laws.
• Perform physical tasks safely, including lifting, bending, standing, and handling items up to 45 lbs., with accommodations as required by law.
• Pack, unpack, and move furniture, display cases, sculptures, and other property of various sizes and weights.
• Operate dock equipment and material-handling tools, including pallet jacks and crowbars.
• Travel between Freeman’s Warehouse and headquarters; drive company vehicles as required (valid driver’s license needed).
• Maintain accurate documentation and process written materials efficiently.

Freeman’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Duties listed are a guide and may evolve as the role grows.