Offered a job in the UK... will my wife be able to work there?

I'm a US citizen that's going to get offered a job in the UK. I'm very interested in taking it. My wife will have to leave a good job in the US if we make the move - will she be able to look for a job in the UK without needing sponsorship? If she does need sponsorship will she be passed over in her job search to give preference to UK permanent residents?

If you're being sponsored for a work visa, then your wife will apply for a dependent visa. She will be able to work without sponsorship.