Temporary Bids Manager

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

The Bids Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the London Bids Office and will oversee bids-related activities for all sales in London. This role will need to coordinate and manage a team, working under pressure and at a fast pace. When required, the Bids Manager will work in conjunction with Bids Offices in other locations to support the global sale calendar.

RESPONSIBLITIES

Management and planning:

• Work closely with Compliance, Legal and Business Management teams to ensure KYC and Due Diligence process is adhered to
• Manage the recruitment of Casual staff for the Bids Department as necessary, in partnership with our Human Resources team and Director of Service Operations
• Mobilize resources locally and globally to ensure staffing requirements for both online and live sales are met, including scheduling and operational planning
• Provide ongoing training for Bids, Client Services and Associate groups on compliance procedures, operational process and system enhancements to ensure all parties are up to date with global standards
• Liaise closely with Bids offices in other sale locations to operate globally as a team and to ensure processes are aligned and adapted locally
• Liaise with Pre- Sale teams to correctly create, update and open Live and Online sales for bidding, including reviewing and approving sale data checks
• Manage sale calendar additions, subtractions and adjustments in conjunction with Sale Directors and Auction Operations
• Act as stakeholder for Product and Technology group on behalf of Service Operations, working to ensure changes and improvements made to systems are actioned in accordance with departmental needs and requirements
• Represent the Bids department during any sale outage or operational escalations, and manage any client communications as necessary
• Manage any client escalations in a timely and thorough manner, and in accordance with our policies and procedures
• Liaise with Heads of Sale and the Auctioneer group to schedule auctioneers, and to convey any sale-specific information as necessary to auctioneers and clerks

Bids management:

• Provide best-in-class service throughout the registration and bidding process for both live and online auctions
• Assist clients with account opening, bid registration for sales via all channels – absentee, online, room, phone
• Ensure Bids Office staff complete all required training, understand Compliance guidelines and the Auction Rules are strictly adhered to
• Ensure fluency in operating all necessary internal systems and platforms
• Assist with Auctioneer training and ADM training for online clerks

Other tasks & initiatives:

• Assist the Head of Service Operations with general department administration and management where necessary
• Work closely with Client Services Manager to ensure parity in service provision
• Travel to other Sotheby’s locations to assist with sales as and when required

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Excellent communication (written and spoken) and interpersonal skills
• High level of computer literacy
• Enthusiastic and calm under pressure, with a pragmatic approach
• Committed, reliable and capable of working well as part of a team
• Detail orientated and excellent organisational skills
• High level of attention to detail with the ability to work to strict deadlines
• Able to manage and motivate a team
• Knowledge of the auction industry and its services is essential

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please click here .

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please click here .

The Company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race (including, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, such as natural hair, hair texture, and protective and treated or untreated hairstyles), color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership/union status, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, genetic information, reproductive health decision, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, alienage or citizenship status, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province or local law. The Company complies with applicable state and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it operates.

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