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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial legal operations and support global business teams at Sotheby’s.
- Company: Join Sotheby’s, a prestigious global auction house with a rich history in art and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping legal strategies while working with diverse teams across the globe.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in commercial law, strong contract negotiation skills, and experience with international law.
- Other info: Fluency in European languages is a plus; art law experience is not required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
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; and
- 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 group
Contact Detail:
Sotheby’s group 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 operations. Understanding how the company functions globally will help you tailor your approach when discussing legal strategies and solutions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the legal field, especially those who have experience in commercial law and international transactions. Building relationships with individuals who work at Sotheby’s or similar companies can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've improved contracting processes in previous roles. Highlighting your ability to streamline operations and enhance efficiency will demonstrate your fit for the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing instances where you've acted as a change agent within a legal team. Emphasizing your experience in leading projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams will resonate well with the expectations for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Global Legal Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure to thoroughly read the job description and understand the key responsibilities and ideal experience required for the Director, Global Legal Operations position. Tailor your application to highlight how your background aligns with these requirements.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your 8+ years of post-qualification experience in commercial law. Provide specific examples of complex contracts you have structured and drafted, particularly in areas relevant to Sotheby’s operations.
Showcase Communication Skills: Demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with business clients and stakeholders. Include examples of how you have built strong relationships and provided timely legal support in previous roles.
Tailor Your Documents: Customize your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Use keywords from the listing, such as 'contracting efficiencies' and 'cross-border transactions', to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sotheby’s group
✨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.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since this role requires seamless communication with business clients and stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be ready to explain how you build relationships and provide practical legal support.
✨Highlight Your Autonomy and Leadership
Emphasize your ability to work independently and lead projects. Share instances where you've acted as a change agent or improved processes within a legal framework, showcasing your proactive approach.
✨Prepare for Team Collaboration Questions
Expect questions about your experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams. Prepare examples that illustrate your ability to work strategically with the Legal and Compliance team and other departments.
