VP, Associate General Counsel

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

This role will be responsible for advising on legal and regulatory issues related to the company’s technology, data and privacy practices, with key responsibility for supporting the Operations and Procurement teams in the U.S. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating commercial vendor agreements, technology agreements and data processing agreements, and collaborating with cross-functional teams on new technologies and products. The ideal candidate will have experience negotiating and drafting technology related agreements, a strong understanding of emerging technologies, working knowledge of data protection and privacy laws, and be a self-starter who is able to operate autonomously. To be successful in the role, this individual must stay current on evolving laws like AI regulations and state-level privacy laws and provide practical, strategic guidance to mitigate risks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Structure, draft and negotiate commercial agreements, including enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) agreements, AI/GenAI/Agentic AI solutions, master services agreements, software development agreements and other technology agreements, data processing agreements (DPAs), data licenses, payment processor agreements, vendor agreements, marketing agreements, partnership agreements and NDAs.
• Counsel product, engineering, and other business teams on a variety of complex business and legal matters, including legal implications of technology, data use and privacy, information security, intellectual property, regulatory compliance and corporate governance.
• Monitor and analyze new and evolving laws and regulations in areas like AI, AdTech, consumer protection, and state-specific privacy laws (e.g., CPRA/CPPA) to provide proactive advice. 
• Advise senior leadership on AI adoption and governance and emerging technologies in the context of transactional work and assist with internal policies and best practices related to technology use, AI deployment, risk management and data management.
• Provide legal support for strategic partnerships, joint ventures and collaborations with emerging tech providers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership in Product & Technology, Procurement, Risk, Compliance, Privacy, and Information Security to establish priorities, expedite review and improve intake processes.
• Assist in developing and improving vendor contracting process, contract templates, playbooks and negotiation guidelines to streamline contracting process.
• Help ensure compliance with global and regional data privacy laws and assist in ongoing data privacy law compliance initiatives and continued development of our privacy policies and procedures.
• Advise and work collaboratively on Operations strategic projects.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s Degree and JD. Admitted, active, and in good standing with the New York State bar.
• 8+ years of combined experience at a large or technology boutique law firm and in-house, with at least 3 years focused on a combination of technology, data privacy, cybersecurity and commercial contracting law. CIPP/US or CIPP/E certification a plus.
• Expertise in drafting and negotiating a variety of technology and vendor agreements and data processing agreements.
• Strong work ethic and ability to multitask, prioritize and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced global environment.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and quality of work product.
• Exceptional drafting, communication, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Proactive, strategic mindset and the ability to balance business objectives with legal and compliance risks. 
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills to explain complex legal and technical topics to different audiences. Strong ability to collaborate with and advise diverse, cross-functional teams, including technical experts. 
• Collaborative teammate and business partner willing to take on additional responsibilities, while also being able to work independently.

The proposed base salary for this position ranges from $220,000-$250,000. 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.