---
title: 'Shipping Associate at Sotheby''s'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/shipping-associate-sotheby-s-london-27c1qe9s8r1z'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-19'
---

# Shipping Associate at Sotheby's

- **Company:** Sotheby's
- **Location:** London, United Kingdom
- **Posted:** 2026-10-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-19
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/sothebys/jobs/6221360004

## Job description

## 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

This role provides essential administrative support to Sotheby’s Shipping Departments. This role will manage procurement workflow, record keeping, and contribute to Shipping process refinement. The Shipping Associate is responsible for maintaining all vendor accounts in accordance with contractual terms and agreements, for EMEA and APAC regions. During peak season, the Shipping Associate will also provide support on the organization of Traveling Exhibitions and Expertise shipping.

## RESPONSIBILITIES

- Responsible for responding to inquiries regarding shipping payment in a timely and professional manner
- Reconcile differences with the shipping agents and/or Shipping Coordinators and meet payment deadlines
- Act as a point of contact for Shipping Vendors with queries related to Accounts Payable
- Prepare regular and ad hoc management reporting as requested
- Reconcile all shippers accounts ensuring that all invoices have been received and have been processed
- Investigate discrepancies between vendor quotes, parked POs in SAP and the vendor invoices received
- Oversee procurement process for Travelling Exhibitions including parking costs for vendors and logging regional spend
- Partner with Finance to reconcile billing discrepancies and system variances related to shipping quotes and Customs.
- During semi-annual high pic season:
- Support maintenance of TravEx and Expertise shipments
- Support creation of customs declarations and licence applications
- Support shipping coordination, including the preparation of internal packing requests, pre-alerts, air freight invoices, and tracking of international shipments
- General record keeping for the Shipping department
- Additional ad hoc projects as directed by manager

## IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

- BA degree and 1-2 years administrative or procurement experience with basic knowledge of international & domestic shipping logistics
- A degree or relevant experience in Finance, Business, Operations & Logistics, IT, and/or Engineering is highly desirable.
- A high command and prior experience of ERP/CRM SYSTEMS (SAP particularly)
- Excellent organization, with the ability to proactively set priorities and meet deadlines
- Excellent analytical skills
- Highest standard of confidentiality, discretion, and work ethic
- Excellent client service skills, with a demonstrated capability in active listening, empathy, service orientation and patience
- The ability to work under pressure and maintain a welcoming disposition, to work both independently and to partner with colleagues
- Proficient in Google Workplace, Microsoft Office Suite and capable of learning internal systems quickly

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the US, please [click here](https://www.sothebys.com/en/docs/pdf/candidate-privacy-notice.pdf).

To view our Candidate Privacy Notice for the UK, Hong Kong, France and Switzerland, please [click here](https://www.sothebys.com/en/docs/pdf/final-v1-sothebys-recruitment-privacy-notice-uk-hk-france-and-switzerland-31-january-2022.pdf?locale=en).

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.

## About Sotheby's

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury, providing access to exceptional objects through auctions, private sales, and e-commerce.
- **Entity Type**: Private (acquired by Patrick Drahi in 2019)
- **Headquarters**: New York City, USA (global headquarters at the Breuer building, 945 Madison Avenue) with a network spanning 40 countries
- **Founded**: 1744
- **Founders**: Samuel Baker (first auction under his name on 11 March 1744)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Fine art and luxury auction house, art marketplace, and art-related financial services.
- Target customers: Collectors, art enthusiasts, institutions, and luxury consumers (B2C and B2B).
- Mission/purpose: “Promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects” and believes in the transformative power of art and culture, committed to inclusivity, sustainability, and collaboration.

## Products & Services
- **Auctions**: Live and hybrid digital auctions across 70 categories including Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, Design, collectible cars (via RM Sotheby’s), and real estate (via Concierge Auctions).
- **Private Sales**: Direct, confidential sales for clients seeking discretion.
- **BuyNow Marketplace**: E-commerce platform for immediate purchase of art and luxury items.
- **Sotheby’s Financial Services**: Art lending and capital solutions; has originated more than $12 billion in loans since inception.
- **Sotheby’s Advisory**: Strategic advisory for collectors and institutions.
- **Sotheby’s Institute**: Educational programs on art business and connoisseurship.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed (privately held).
- **Key Metric**: Annual worldwide sales turnover in excess of $7 billion (as of recent reports).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Owned by Patrick Drahi (media and telecom entrepreneur). No other major external investors disclosed.
- **Growth Signals**: First auction house to successfully shift to hybrid digital auction format during the pandemic; pioneered AI and scientific research in-house; expanded to 40 countries with 80 offices; continues to innovate with mobile and web experiences.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Heritage & Trust**: Oldest and largest internationally recognised fine art auction house (since 1744).
- **Global Reach**: Network of specialists in 40 countries and 80 offices covering 70 categories.
- **Innovation Track Record**: First to hold auctions in Asia (1973), first to use satellite bidding (1960s), first to sell a work for over $100 million (2004), and early adopter of e-commerce (2000) and AI (2018).
- **Integrated Services**: Only full-service art financing company (Sotheby’s Financial Services) combined with auctions, private sales, and retail.

## Strategic Focus
- Digital transformation and hybrid auction formats to capture online sales growth.
- Expansion into new luxury categories (e.g., collectible cars, real estate) and geographies (e.g., China).
- Deepening client relationships through data-driven insights and personalized experiences.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and sustainability as core values.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Entrepreneurial, client-first, passionate, and innovative. Values include “dream big, challenge the status quo, relentlessly pursue innovation.”
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: Strong commitment to equality and diverse backgrounds; endorsed by senior management.
- **Benefits**: Competitive compensation, health/dental/vision insurance, fertility and growing family support, 401(k) with company match, paid parental leave, gym reimbursement, education assistance, and access to world-class art museums and galleries.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid/remote options available for some roles (e.g., Payroll Manager listed as New York/Remote). Offices in major cities globally.
- **Growth**: Internal mobility encouraged; opportunities for cross-functional exposure through Internship, Associates, and Mobility programs.

## Sources
1. [sothebys.com](https://www.sothebys.com/en/about) – About Us page (company description, mission, values)
2. [sothebys.com](https://www.sothebys.com/en/about/careers) – Careers page (benefits, values, social impact)
3. [sothebys.com](https://www.sothebys.com/en/about/our-history) – History page (founding, key milestones, acquisition by Drahi, sales turnover)
4. [greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/sothebys/jobs/5988535004) – Job listing page (global headquarters location, financial services stats, office locations)
5. [sothebys.com](https://www.sothebys.com/en/) – Homepage (overview of categories and services)

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