Join kataoka
Two houses. One goldsmith. Thirty years of practice.
Yoshinobu Kataoka has spent more than thirty years in the same pursuit: learning what gold will and will not do, what a stone reveals when the light shifts, what a hand-formed surface holds that a cast one cannot. He founded kataoka in 2011 not to build a jewelry company, but to create a place where that kind of attention could be sustained.
There are two houses. One in Jiyugaoka, Tokyo, where the atelier and the flagship occupy the same neighborhood. One in Tribeca, New York, opened in 2018, where the work is introduced to a different city without being translated for it. Both are small. Both are deliberate. The size is not a limitation. It is the condition that makes everything else possible.
The people who find us as clients are rarely looking for jewelry. They are looking for something made with integrity, by someone whose name and hands are behind it. The people who work alongside us share something of the same instinct. They are not drawn to luxury as an aesthetic category. They are drawn to the quality of attention that genuine craft demands — and to the particular kind of relationship that grows when a client trusts you with something lasting.
If this is familiar to you, we would like to hear from you.
To understand the work behind the work, read The kataoka Story.
Client Advisor
We are seeking client advisors for our houses in Tribeca, New York and Jiyugaoka, Tokyo. This is a full-time role. It is suited to someone who approaches each conversation as a craft in itself — who listens carefully, speaks with restraint, and understands that the most enduring client relationships are built on trust rather than transaction.
The work is intimate. You will know the pieces well — their making, their materials, the decisions behind them. You will accompany clients through choices that often carry personal weight. You will be part of a small team where the standard for everything, from the condition of a display surface to the quality of a handwritten note, is held consistently.
Responsibilities
- Welcome and accompany clients with attentive, informed guidance — sharing the story, materiality, and intention behind each creation while cultivating enduring relationships.
- Contribute to sales outcomes by understanding client needs and offering pieces with sensitivity and restraint, translating intent into meaningful acquisitions.
- Uphold the elegance and rhythm of the boutique through careful attention to stock, presentation, daily upkeep, and the orderly flow of the space.
- Collaborate with colleagues to sustain a refined, calm, and harmonious environment for both clients and the team.
- Participate in in-store events, client outreach, and storytelling initiatives that reflect kataoka's identity, including considered contributions to digital and marketing activities.
- Work in coordination with the Tokyo atelier to deepen product knowledge and ensure consistency in client experience across locations.
Qualifications
Required
- Fluency in Japanese and English, both spoken and written.
- Proven experience in a luxury retail or boutique environment, with a strong sense of discretion and client care.
- A solid foundation in fine jewelry — diamonds, gemstones, and precious metals — with the ability to communicate their significance with nuance.
- Excellent communication skills and exceptional attention to detail, consistently meeting kataoka's standards in presentation, inventory, and client interaction.
Preferred
- Advanced or specialized knowledge of fine jewelry and craftsmanship, or a demonstrated commitment to deepening expertise.
- Experience with boutique operations, including inventory management and basic financial awareness, approached with precision and confidentiality.
- Self-motivation and initiative, with the maturity to act independently while embodying kataoka's values in every interaction.
Compensation
Compensation and benefits are determined based on experience, skill set, and role scope, in alignment with local standards and the responsibilities of the position.
Application
Please send a CV and a brief introduction in English or Japanese to career@kataoka-jewelry.com.