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
Sotheby’s is seeking a Temporary Associate Cataloguer to support the Private Sales and Middle Market Auction teams. This role will assist in researching, cataloguing and preparing works for upcoming auctions and private sales. The position offers exposure to all stages of the auction and private sale cycles and close collaboration with specialists, researchers, and cross-departmental partners.
- Assist with cataloguing, researching and preparing notes for Private Sales and Middle Market Global Fine Art departments.
- Organize scans and references for catalogue entries/perform thorough book checks and vetting
- Draft catalogue essays
- Maintain comprehensive property files for sale including fact sheets, images and supporting documentation
- Support proposal process for business getting efforts
- Contribute to valuation listings as needed
- Collaborate on paste-ups and layouts for both digital and print publications, from online catalogues to printed mini books and collection catalogues
- Ensure color accuracy of lot images and assist with direction for photography and video
- Liaise with necessary support departments including pre-sale administration, registrars, catalogue production, press and marketing
- Closely examine condition of works and liaise with third-party conservators for professional condition reports and treatment
- Collaborate with sale team on exhibition preparation and installation
- Support the larger department by answering the phones and handling mainline requests
- Ad hoc projects and assignments as needed and assigned by manager
- Manage authentication processes and gallery outreach for authentication purposes
IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES
- Bachelor’s degree required, ideally in relevant area of study/interest
- 1-2 years of professional experience required
- General knowledge of Contemporary art history, artists and values
- Self-starter
- Extreme familiarity with Institutional library systems
- Impeccable organizational & writing skills
- Strong time-management skills
- A team player with excellent communication skills
- Thorough and focused, with a passion and commitment to learning about and working in the field
- Professional and discreet client service skills
- Dependable, proactive, mature
- Long hours required, included late evenings and weekends during sale deadlines, exhibitions and auctions
- Ability to multitask and perform in a pressured environment and handle high level of responsibility
- Ability to work well with others as well as independently in order to achieve deadlines
- Proficiency in Spanish is a plus
The proposed base salary for this position ranges from $25 - $26/hr.
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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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- 1-2 years of professional experience
- General knowledge of Contemporary art history, artists and values
- Extreme familiarity with institutional library systems
- Impeccable organizational and writing skills
- Strong time-management skills
- Excellent communication and team-player skills
- Thoroughness, focus, and commitment to learning in the field
- Professional and discreet client service skills
- Ability to work long hours including late evenings and weekends during sale deadlines
- Ability to multitask and perform under pressure
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively to meet deadlines
- Proficiency in Spanish
Sotheby's Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Sotheby's and has not been reviewed or approved by Sotheby's.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as broad, spanning medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, and company-paid life insurance. Mental health benefits and disability coverage are also included as part of the package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) plan with company matching. Additional financial supports such as flexible spending accounts and an employee stock purchase plan are also referenced.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off policies are characterized as generous, including paid time off, paid holidays, and sick days. Paid parental leave and family-related supports are also included in the overall offering.
Sotheby's Insights
What We Do
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access, connoisseurship and preservation of fine art and rare 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 50 categories, which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Interiors, among many others.
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