The posting
ABOUT SOTHEBY'S
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Our deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories 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 through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building at 945 Madison Avenue in New York City.
THE ROLE
We are seeking a highly organised, proactive and meticulous paralegal to join our global Legal Department in London on a six-month fixed-term contract. Depending on business needs, there may be an opportunity to extend the contract or for a longer-term role to become available.
The successful candidate will play a central role in supporting the governance and administration of Sotheby's Board of Directors and its large global portfolio of legal entities. The role works closely with our team’s Deputy General Counsel and other team members based in London and New York. The successful candidate will help ensure that Sotheby’s corporate records, governance processes and legal entities are maintained to the highest standards of accuracy. Auditors, banks, regulators and the Board rely on these records.
The role offers broad exposure to corporate governance, company secretarial matters, entity management, treasury and financing activities, and strategic corporate projects. It will involve managing complex information, coordinating across jurisdictions and engaging with senior internal and external stakeholders.
6-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Immediate Start) | Hybrid — London (3 days in-office: currently set as Monday–Wednesday)
Ability to hybrid work from home is subject to the employee having a suitable home working environment in which the confidentiality of Sotheby's information can be maintained. The role can be performed in office 5 days per week if needed or preferred.
RESPONSIBLITIES
Corporate Governance & Company Secretarial Support
- Support the governance and administration of Sotheby’s global portfolio of subsidiaries and affiliated entities.
- Coordinate board and committee meetings across multiple jurisdictions, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and board materials, and maintaining meeting records.
- Draft and maintain board minutes, written resolutions, shareholder resolutions, powers of attorney and other governance documentation, and check them carefully against source documents before circulation.
- Assist with director and officer appointments, resignations and related corporate changes.
- Maintain statutory registers, corporate records and governance databases.
- Prepare Companies House filings, and coordinate overseas corporate filings and regulatory submissions with local teams and external service providers, tracking each to completion.
- Assist with governance-related projects, including legal entity rationalisations, restructurings and other corporate initiatives.
Entity Management
- Maintain accurate records relating to Sotheby’s global legal entity structure, including organisational charts, ownership information and governance records.
- Respond to requests for corporate information and entity documentation from auditors, banks, regulators, tax advisers and internal stakeholders.
- Support inbound shareholder KYC, beneficial ownership and other shareholder-related requests.
Corporate Legal Team Support
- Support treasury, financing, M&A and other projects undertaken by the Corporate Legal team.
- Assist with due diligence exercises and information requests.
- Manage document execution processes, including electronic and wet-ink signatures, signing packs and closing sets.
- Maintain legal templates, governance precedents and trackers.
- Assist with legal operations, including legal billing administration.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- Experience as a paralegal or company secretarial assistant, or within a compliance or corporate services team, at a law firm, corporate services provider or in-house legal department.
- A demonstrable record of accuracy and attention to detail in preparing documents and maintaining records.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, in particular Word and Excel.
- Experience supporting corporate governance, company secretarial or entity management activities.
- Experience with UK Companies House filings and statutory registers.
- Experience with entity management, board portal, document management and electronic signature platforms.
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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.
