Description

Kennedys is looking for an Information & Research Manager to lead on the delivery of information services for attorneys in our US offices based in California, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

This is a brand-new position, and the ideal candidate would be a self-starter who can operate at a senior level. The key objective of the role is to ensure that Kennedys’ US attorneys have access to the information, tools and resources that they need in order to deliver an excellent service to clients. You will be responsible for the procurement and management of legal and business information resources, reviewing the value of existing resources and creating business proposals for new information resources – all based on a deep understanding of our attorneys’ information needs. You will also undertake business research and manage the provision of client and business news.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an innovative and growing firm, where you will be supported by colleagues in the wider Knowledge Management team.  

Team

The Knowledge Management team sits within the wider Business Services function and is largely based in Kennedys’ London office.

The central Knowledge Management team collectively deliver three distinct but interrelated service areas – Knowledge Services, Information Services and Legal Technical Training. This role will focus on delivery of Information Services for the US offices and will work with the Knowledge Management team on cross-border projects and initiatives.

Requirements

• Procurement and budget management – create and manage the information resources budget for Kennedys’ US offices, ensuring annual spend does not exceed budgetary limits.

Work with other buyers of information based in Kennedys’ international offices to ensure best practice is maintained, cost efficiencies are found, and that information and resources are leveraged and shared across offices and regions

• Vendor management - manage relationships and negotiations with third-party information suppliers
• New information products and services - research and continually monitor the development of new information resources, including new technology solutions, in order to ensure that the provision of resources continues to meet the evolving needs of Kennedys’ US attorneys
• Information resources management – ensure easy access to all information resources, including management of the print collections in Kennedys’ US offices.

Manage information licences and contracts for all digital resources, ensuring compliance with license agreements

• Training - ensure attorneys get maximum value from resources through provision of resources training, research guides and information services inductions for new joiners
• Business research – undertake business research using Kennedys’ information resources and trusted public information sources, to provide key actionable information and insights to support US attorneys and Business Development staff
• News/current awareness – implement and manage a system for providing alerts on client, sector and competitor news tailored to the specific needs and interests of each team
• Knowledge/information projects – drive/contribute to various ongoing projects and initiatives, working with the wider Knowledge Management team, as required.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• MLIS degree or equivalent experience
• Experience working at a mid to senior level role in an information/research team within a law firm
• Demonstrable knowledge of the US legal information resources market, products and related legal technology solutions
• Strong IT skills and a genuine interest in technology solutions
• Budget and vendor management experience with excellent negotiation skills
• Strong business research skills – able to research, collate and deliver timely business research to US attorneys and Business Development staff across all Kennedys’ US offices, including the ability to prioritize requests effectively and to manage expectations
• Self-motivated with the ability to work without close supervision, to meet deadlines and with the ability to prioritize own workload, based on an understanding of key commercial priorities
• Confident and credible in managing senior stakeholders, coupled with the ability to build strong relationships and internal networks at all levels across the firm, including across geographical boundaries
• A demonstrable passion for personal growth, continuous learning and development
• Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to work in an environment of change
• Experience of working in a multi-office international firm (desirable)

Apply on the Kennedys Law LLP website.