Paralegal

London·Posted today
<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>ABOUT SOTHEBY'S</strong></p> <p>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.</p></div><p><strong>THE ROLE</strong></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">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.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}"></span></p> <p><em>6-Month Fixed-Term Contract (Immediate Start) | Hybrid — London (3 days in-office: currently set as Monday–Wednesday)</em></p> <p><em>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.</em></p> <p><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}"></span></p> <p><strong>RESPONSIBLITIES </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span data-contrast="auto">Corporate Governance &amp; Company Secretarial Support</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Support the governance and administration of Sotheby’s global portfolio of subsidiaries and affiliated entities.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Coordinate board and committee meetings across multiple jurisdictions, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and board materials, and maintaining meeting records.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Assist with director and officer appointments, resignations and related corporate changes.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Maintain statutory registers, corporate records and governance databases.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Prepare Companies House filings, and coordinate overseas corporate filings and regulatory submissions with local teams and external service providers, tracking each to completion.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Assist with governance-related projects, including legal entity rationalisations, restructurings and other corporate initiatives.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span data-contrast="auto">Entity Management</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Maintain accurate records relating to Sotheby’s global legal entity structure, including organisational charts, ownership information and governance records.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Respond to requests for corporate information and entity documentation from auditors, banks, regulators, tax advisers and internal stakeholders.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Support inbound shareholder KYC, beneficial ownership and other shareholder-related requests.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span data-contrast="auto">Corporate Legal Team Support</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Support treasury, financing, M&amp;A and other projects undertaken by the Corporate Legal team.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Assist with due diligence exercises and information requests.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Manage document execution processes, including electronic and wet-ink signatures, signing packs and closing sets.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Maintain legal templates, governance precedents and trackers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Assist with legal operations, including legal billing administration.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>IDEAL EXPERIENCE &amp; COMPETENCIES</strong></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">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.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">A demonstrable record of accuracy and attention to detail in preparing documents and maintaining records.</span></li> <li>Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, in particular Word and Excel.<span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience supporting corporate governance, company secretarial or entity management activities.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with UK Companies House filings and statutory registers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with entity management, board portal, document management and electronic signature platforms.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233279":true}">&nbsp;</span></li> </ul><div class="content-conclusion"><p>To view our <strong>Candidate Privacy Notice</strong> for the US, please <a class="Link" href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/docs/pdf/candidate-privacy-notice.pdf"><strong>click here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> <p>To view our <strong>Candidate Privacy Notice </strong>for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please <a class="Link" href="https://www.sothebys.com/en/docs/pdf/final-v1-sothebys-recruitment-privacy-notice-uk-hk-france-and-switzerland-31-january-2022.pdf?locale=en"><strong>click here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> <p><strong><em>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.</em></strong></p></div>