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- Tasks: Lead legal operations, draft contracts, and support global business teams at Sotheby’s.
- Company: Join Sotheby’s, the world’s premier destination for art and luxury since 1744.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative culture, global exposure, and opportunities to shape legal processes.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative team that values art, culture, and inclusivity.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in commercial law, strong contract negotiation skills, and international experience preferred.
- Other info: Fluency in European languages is a plus; art law experience not required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
ABOUT SOTHEBY’S
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
THE ROLE
This role will be reporting into Deputy General Counsel, Head of Commercial Legal for EMEA and Asia and will be responsible for providing commercial legal advice to senior leadership and cross-functional teams across Sotheby’s global business operations, with key responsibility for the Operations and Procurement teams. This individual will help develop and improve third party vendor contracting processes. To be successful in this role, this individual must seamlessly communicate with our business clients and stakeholders, build strong relationships with them by providing timely and practical legal support and work collaboratively and strategically with the rest of the Legal and Compliance team, invoking the right support at all levels as required. The right person for this role is a self-starter, experienced lawyer and able to operate autonomously.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible for drafting, reviewing and negotiating all non-IT commercial contracts for the Sotheby’s Group and for individual operating subsidiaries including, but not limited to, Sotheby’s London and Sotheby’s New York in areas such as logistics, transportation, warehousing, consultancy, broadcasting, events, brand marketing and partnerships;
- Lead lawyer on Operations strategic projects;
- Create legal templates to transact with vendors and third-party partners or sponsors for frequent use contracting scenarios that can be used by all principal sales locations. Maintain up-to-date existing relevant templates. Oversee adaption of existing templates for additional sales locations;
- Support the Legal and Compliance in improving contracting efficiencies to ensure the systematic and timely review of commercial contracts by key internal stakeholders including Data Protection, Information Security, Risk and Procurement;
- Provide training to the business on commercial contract issues.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- Approximately 8 plus years post qualification experience in commercial law
- Experienced in dealing with commercial law issues, including structuring and drafting complex/innovative commercial contracts
- Good working knowledge of data protection, IP, consumer protection and competition law
- Experience of working on cross border transactions governed by international law (particularly New York law). Experience of working in a different international legal jurisdiction very beneficial
- Strong team player and leader
- Able to act as a change agent, develop business and promote process
- Able to work autonomously, including by organising themselves and the relevant stakeholders
- Confident in dealing directly with a variety of clients in a purposeful and constructive manner
- Able to quickly build relationships with stakeholders and work collaboratively with the wider global Legal team to allow the department to assist with fulfilment of Sotheby’s aims
- Preferably have one or more European languages
- Art law experience not required
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Director, Global Legal Operations employer: Sotheby's
Contact Detail:
Sotheby's Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Global Legal Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with Sotheby’s business model and the specific legal challenges it faces in the art and luxury market. Understanding the nuances of commercial contracts in this industry will help you stand out as a candidate who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the legal field who have experience in commercial law, especially those who have worked with international transactions. Building these connections can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your ability to work autonomously by showcasing examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed complex projects or negotiations without direct supervision. This will highlight your self-starter attitude, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would improve contracting efficiencies within a global organization. Think about specific strategies or tools you could implement to streamline processes, as this aligns directly with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Global Legal Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand Sotheby's: Familiarize yourself with Sotheby’s history, values, and business model. Highlight your understanding of their operations in your application to show that you are genuinely interested in the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV to emphasize your experience in commercial law, particularly in drafting and negotiating contracts. Make sure to include relevant examples that demonstrate your ability to work autonomously and collaboratively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that clearly outlines your qualifications and how they align with the responsibilities of the role. Mention specific experiences that showcase your skills in managing legal operations and building relationships with stakeholders.
Highlight Language Skills: If you speak any European languages, be sure to mention them in your application. This can set you apart from other candidates and show your ability to work in an international environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sotheby's
✨Understand Sotheby’s Culture
Familiarize yourself with Sotheby’s history, values, and commitment to inclusivity and sustainability. This will help you align your answers with the company's mission and demonstrate your genuine interest in their operations.
✨Showcase Your Legal Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in commercial law, particularly in drafting and negotiating complex contracts. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully navigated legal challenges, especially in cross-border transactions.
✨Emphasize Relationship Building
Since the role requires strong communication with business clients and stakeholders, share examples of how you've built and maintained relationships in previous roles. Discuss your approach to providing practical legal support and collaborating with teams.
✨Demonstrate Autonomy and Initiative
As a self-starter, it's important to convey your ability to work independently. Share instances where you've taken the lead on projects or improved processes, showcasing your proactive approach to problem-solving.
