Client Experience Associate

Sotheby's
Paris, France
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for candidates with service-driven experience who thrive in collaborative, high-detail environments.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with prior experience in luxury or art sectors who excel in client interaction and cross-departmental coordination
    — “working closely with specialist departments and operational teams”
  • Individuals with a proven track record in managing high-volume client inquiries and resolving complex issues
    — “managing high volumes of client enquiries, cases or support tickets within a service-driven environment”
  • Professionals with a calm demeanor and ability to maintain high standards of service under pressure
    — “remain calm, professional and solution-focused when handling challenging client situations”

Things to consider

  • Flexible working hours are expected, including weekends and evenings
    — “flexibility with working hours including weekends and evenings where necessary”
  • The role requires in-person presence in Paris, with limited remote potential
    — “acting primarily as in-person support for clients and visitors to Sotheby’s Paris”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in resolving complex client issues and maintaining positive client relationships
    — “exceed client needs and expectations whilst promoting a highly professional and positive image for Sotheby's”
  • Demonstrate familiarity with case management systems like Freshdesk or SAP in your resume
    — “Experience using SAP, Outlook”
  • Emphasize your ability to identify and escalate operational issues to improve client journeys
    — “Identify service failures, operational issues or recurring trends that may negatively impact the client experience and escalate accordingly”
  • Showcase your attention to detail and adherence to compliance protocols in your interview responses
    — “Always complying with Security, Compliance and KYC guidelines”
  • Demonstrate your ability to maintain a professional and immaculate front-of-house environment
    — “Keeping the Front of House area and Catalogue displays immaculate at all times”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • exceeding client expectations
  • maintaining high service standards
Typical background
customer serviceretailsales

Skills & requirements

Required

Customer ServiceCommunicationProblem-solvingAttention To Detail

Preferred

SalesMarketing

About the role

Original posting from Sotheby's via Greenhouse

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 would provide interchangeable support to Client Services and the wider Client Experience department, acting primarily as in-person support for clients and visitors to Sotheby’s Paris. The role requires individuals to work diligently, with extreme attention to detail, ensuring all client interactions are handled professionally, efficiently, and in accordance with Sotheby's service standards and SLAs. Working closely with specialist departments and operational teams, the Client Liaison takes ownership of client issues through to resolution while proactively identifying opportunities to improve the overall client journey.

The successful candidate will have a passionate and detailed approach, with a desire to exceed client needs and expectations whilst promoting a highly professional and positive image for Sotheby's.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Services

Be the welcoming face of Sotheby’s

Greeting clients, assisting with general enquiries and triaging to relevant departments

Liaising closely and maintaining strong working communications with Client Experience, Bids, Seller Operations, Security, Events, Marketing and Boardroom, and various other internal stakeholders and departments, to ensure smooth running of front of house

Supporting Paddle Registration during sales

Working on the Valuations desk, liaising with relevant Specialist, or providing alternative referrals

Taking registration and bidding instructions from clients and Sotheby’s staff in person

Always complying with Security, Compliance and KYC guidelines

Occasionally supporting Cloakroom as necessary

Keeping the Front of House area and Catalogue displays immaculate at all times

Providing exceptional client service on the counter in respect of all sale activities

Supporting the Bids department with back-office support and clerking where necessary

Client Care

Act as the primary point of contact for client enquiries across email and telephone channels.

Deliver professional and accurate communications that reflect Sotheby's client service standards.

Respond to general client enquiries relating to selling items, general enquires about sales, payments, collections, shipping, invoices, documentation and post auction processes.

Handle client complaints, concerns and escalation requests with empathy, professionalism and a solution-focused approach.

Identify service failures, operational issues or recurring trends that may negatively impact the client experience and escalate accordingly.

Work collaboratively with specialists, finance, shipping and other operational teams to ensure seamless client outcomes.

Maintain detailed and accurate records of client interactions and case activity.

Support continuous improvement initiatives by providing feedback on client pain points, service trends and process enhancement opportunities.

Participate in client experience projects and initiatives as requested by management.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

Essential

Professional English (spoken and written).

Exceptional client service skills with strong abilities in active listening, empathy, conflict resolution and relationship management.

Demonstrable experience managing high volumes of client enquiries, cases or support tickets within a service-driven environment.

Experience working against service level agreements and performance targets.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with outstanding attention to detail.

Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing client demands.

Ability to remain calm, professional and solution-focused when handling challenging client situations.

Experience collaborating across multiple departments to achieve positive client outcomes.

High level of computer literacy and able to display dexterity working across multiple systems

Ability and willingness to be flexible with working hours including weekends and evenings where necessary

Enthusiastic and calm under pressure, with a common-sense approach

Desirable

Experience using SAP, Outlook

Experience using Freshdesk or similar case management/ticketing platforms

Experience using 8x8 phone platform or similar.

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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.

Source: Sotheby's careers (Greenhouse)

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