Job Description
Job Description
At David Zwirner, we look to be an industry leader in our field, with our artists at the center of what we do. Our global exhibition program expands beyond our locations in New York, London, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Paris, representing seventy artists and estates. Home to innovative, singular, and pioneering exhibitions across a variety of media and genres. Active in both the primary and secondary market, David Zwirner has helped foster the careers of some of the most influential artists today.
Who will work well with us
- The ideal candidate is someone who is passionate and interested in the arts/larger creative arena or is eager to learn. Previous experience and a background within the commercial art world is not required.
- We welcome all individuals to apply, those moving into a new stage of their career or vocation, making a change, returning to work, those wanting to learn and grow within the industry, to apply.
About the Opportunity
Front Desk Manager | $75-$85K
- Lead and supervise a Front Desk Coordinator, twelve Gallery Assistants, Sales Interns and Gallery Attendants across all five DZNY locations (DZ69, DZ20, DZHQ, DZ19, 52W). Make regular rounds throughout all spaces, ensuring that:
- Adequate staffing levels are fulfilled at all times
- Daily duties of front desks at all locations are successfully maintained
- Support is regularly provided to the sales team
- Gallery standards of presentation are maintained in each space
What you'll do:
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead and manage the Front Desk (FD) team of Gallery Assistants (GAs), and Sales Interns, ensuring clarity of roles and responsibilities.
- Conduct weekly team meetings and regular check-ins to coach, mentor, and support direct reports.
- Manage team workload and distribute assignments equitably.
- Oversee hiring, onboarding, and training strategies to build and maintain a strong, stable FD team.
- Support and empower Front Desk Coordinator in complex decision-making and operational challenges.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the FD team.
Operations & Administration
- Along with the Facilities team, ensure the gallery floor and workspaces are professional and functional environments.
- Oversee daily FD operations, including managing schedules, PTO, timecards, and payroll in collaboration with People Ops.
- Supervise usage of internal project management tools for task and project execution.
- Manage vendor relationships, budgets, cost approvals, and financial oversight for FD-related resources.
- Lead GA response to safety or property issues onsite.
- Support the gallery operations team in delivering seamless daily operations.
- Manage and update team training manuals, resource guides, and onboarding checklists.
Cross-Departmental Coordination
- Coordinate effectively with the New York Sales Team on public-facing activities and day-to-day tasks.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for escalated issues requiring strategic or cross-departmental attention.
- Partner with the Sales team and other departments to align the FD team's objectives with broader gallery priorities.
Strategic Initiatives & Continuous Improvement
- Develop, implement, and regularly update standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency across all DZNY locations.
- Analyze team performance and Sales feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement process enhancements.
- Identify operational inefficiencies and create standardized policies and procedures to improve overall effectiveness.
Coordinate major projects and long-term initiatives to enhance client experience and internal collaboration.
Training, Onboarding & Development
- Ensure new Front Desk hires are adequately trained and onboarded.
- Lead communication and training initiatives to align the team on goals, SOPs, and operational changes.
- Support the professional development of GAs and other direct reports through mentoring and performance reviews.
- Additional tasks as needed/requested
What we would like you to have
- 2-3 years of working experience preferably in the Art world.
- Strong managerial skills and ability to delegate tasks.
- Bachelor's Degree in Art or related field.
- Strong knowledge of contemporary art, artists, and the art market.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to provide excellent customer service.
- Highly skilled with problem solving.
- Strong ability to work independently to uphold the gallery's high standards of presentation.
- A strong understanding that this role plays a key part in setting the tone for the artist and client experience in the gallery, which is of utmost importance to us at David Zwirner.
What you will love about David Zwirner (benefits)
- David Zwirner has pioneered initiatives dedicated to the gallery's long-standing commitment to kaleidoscopic storytelling, including: David Zwirner Online, David Zwirner Books, Dialogues, Platform, Consignments
- Premier Access - to private on-site and off-site events, such as exhibition previews, book signings, talks, and walkthroughs with gallery artists and estate members, and external curators and scholars.
- Staff-driven projects and fundraising initiatives. This includes David Zwirner commitment to Galleries Commit.
- Benefits! Flexible workplace and commuter benefits, corporate memberships to museums, including the Whitney, New Museum, MOMA, and others. Summer Fridays, generous PTO and leave, Family Medical/Dental/Vision benefits. 401K savings plan with automatic employer contributions.
The schedule for this role will be Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm, with additional hours as needed.
Please submit a resume and cover letter. Only qualified candidates will be contacted. Absolutely no calls or walk-ins please.
David Zwirner is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Gallery is firmly committed to equal employment opportunities in all facets of its operations. The Gallery makes decisions concerning hiring and terms and conditions of employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.
If you need assistance in applying to a role you may reach out to recruiting@davidzwirner.com.