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

The Bids & Client Services Department is the first and most highly visible contributor to the client experience at Sotheby’s worldwide headquarters. The Bids Manager is responsible for the core management, people, and transformation priorities of the bidder experience for all auctions in New York and will serve as a subject matter expert for the bids function. The candidate should be comfortable coordinating and managing a team, working under pressure at a fast pace, and able to juggle multiple priorities at once. They must be process driven, a creative problem solver, and forward thinking in all elements of their work to support a positive team environment and elevated client experience.

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day operation of the bids function including management of ticketing system; bidding and account escalations; live & online auction operations; sale creation and management support
Line manage a group of Bids Coordinators and any temporary bids support staff. Provide day-to-day support and guidance. Manage recruitment of bids staff as necessary in partnership with Head of Bids & Client Services and Human Resources.
Partner with Head of Bids & Client Services to set goals and conduct annual performance reviews
Responsible for developing and implementing training for new bids support staff. Provide ongoing training for Bids & Client Services teams on compliance procedures, operational processes, and system enhancements.
Uphold and abide by sotheby’s KYC & AML procedure; ensure all required legal and compliance documentation relevant to bid activity is gathered, reviewed, and stored appropriately
Work alongside Head of Bids & Client Services and take personal accountability for the direction of transformation within the Bids function and the wider Client Service Operations Team
Establish, gather, and analyze KPIs, SLAs, and metrics to measure team performance and inform the bidder experience.
Collaborate with Product & Technology to improve auction platform functionality and enhance bidding workflows
Liaise closely with Global Bids & Client Services Departments to operate globally as a team, align on process, and ensure adequate coverage and support
Represent the Bids department during any sale outage or operational escalations; manage client communications as necessary
Support Head of Bids & Client Services with managing sale calendar additions and adjustments in conjunction with Sale Directors and Logistics
Work closely with Client Services Manager to ensure alignment in department initiatives and service provision
Must adhere to required front of house attire on live sale days

Qualifications

3+ years of relevant professional experience; previous Bids Coordinator or relevant experience within an auction house is strongly desired
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. Comfortable communicating with senior staff, auctioneers, and VIP clients
Positive and proactive approach to challenges. Proven experience employing problem solving skills when dealing with internal and external clients
Experience managing a team is advantageous but not a pre-requisite
Operationally minded with an eye for process optimization
Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to stick to strict deadlines
Must be flexible to work evenings, early mornings, and weekends as needed
Able to maintain the highest standard of confidentiality and discretion
Strong comfort with Microsoft Office & Google Site – prior experience with SAP, Salesforce, Freshdesk, Client Databases, or other Sotheby’s systems is preferable

The proposed base salary for this position is $70,000. In addition to base salary successful candidates are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus, as well as a competitive benefits package. Salary offers are based on a wide range of factors including relevant skills, training, experience, education, and, where applicable, licensure or certifications obtained. Market and organizational factors are also considered.

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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.