Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. By turning our insight, technology and talent into ground-breaking solutions, we’ve earned our reputation as a firm that leads the industry and opens up new possibilities in law. Our lawyers are leaders in their field – and the same goes for our support teams. Ambitious, driven and open to fresh perspectives, we find new ways to deliver our services and maintain our reputation for excellence, in all that we do.

The nature of law is changing and with that change brings unique opportunities. We are defined by our consistent commitment to creating a collaborative and supportive working culture and investing in your progress. We’re committed to supporting a culture that drives diversity and inclusion.  Every day, we’re working hard to create an environment where you feel you can bring your authentic self to work.  To be comfortable and confident to be who you are in the workplace.  To feel like you belong.  We offer rewarding careers that are built around your strengths and designed to ensure you can achieve your personal and professional ambitions. Joining our global team, you’ll discover what collaborating on a global scale really looks like; you’ll learn how to help drive change; and you’ll be at the heart of an organisation that’s defining the future of law. If you’re ready to find a place to thrive: It’s Time.

Department purpose

As part of the Advanced Delivery & Solutions Practice, A&O Research & Library is responsible for supporting fee earners and support staff in respect of their research and resource requirements.

Research work encompasses legal, business and financial work, and continues to evolve to meet the firm’s changing needs whilst the Library function manages all information assets and budgets.

Both groups have a global remit supporting all offices within the A&O network.

Role context and purpose

The Strategic Research Group complements the Enquiry & Research Service by offering indepth, bespoke research support to client teams. They work across the global firm, supporting both management initiatives and client teams as needed.

The Business Research Analyst will seek to proactively engage with key stakeholders and establish close relationships. The post holder is tasked with understanding stakeholder needs and developing creative research solutions to meet these. The Business Research Analyst will proactively identify opportunities; liaise with fee earners and the Business Development community; offer their expertise and input in respect of the best use of our information assets; and determine the most relevant approach to support the firm’s research requirements.

In addition, the Business Research Analyst works alongside library colleagues to promote and advance the value of the A&O Research & Library function to the global firm.

Key relationships

·         Global Head of A&O Research & Library

·         Senior Research Manager

·         US Research Manager and team

·         Global Research & Library team

·         Business Research Analysts

·         Partners and other client facing fee earners

·         Business Development staff

Role and responsibilities

The Business Research Analyst uses a variety of resources to provide considered, comprehensive research outputs that support the firm. This involves interpreting data, analyzing trends and writing reports as required.

In detail the role involves:

• Producing detailed, insightful research that highlights the most salient points to inform our internal clients;
• Building on the team’s existing relationships, as well as actively seeking to develop new relationships, with fee earners and other key stakeholders across the firm;
• Taking responsibility as the expert for one or more sectors, as well as being a product expert, both in terms of different practices that the firm serves and key databases;
• Interviewing requesters to understand and scope their needs and requirements, proactively making suggestions as to how research requests and projects can be enhanced;
• Selecting the appropriate resources – and on occasion identifying new resources – to address the needs of the business. This involves checking resources for accuracy, consistency and timeliness;
• Producing A&O Research branded reports that provide in-depth analysis of clients/sectors and highlighting business opportunities;
• Responsible for managing large and/or involved research projects, from scoping to resourcing and delivery of the final output;
• Partnering with our Practice Librarians to deliver inductions to senior joiners and newly promoted partners, to ensure that they understand the value of the function; and
• On occasion, providing research support to external clients on an ad hoc or project basis.

The post holder will both manage and contribute to a range of projects. Examples include:

• Identifying opportunities to use information assets to develop new A&O Research branded reports, as the business requires;
• Providing recommendations on research approach, the merits of different data sets in support of firm initiatives and projects;
• Building stakeholder engagement, designing products and testing them with users;
• Identifying key data providers and then working with colleagues to determine if the firm should invest in them;
• Assessing the cost (both monetary and in terms of staff time) of products and making recommendations on their implementation; and
• On occasion, producing user guides to aid the transfer of knowledge to others, providing advice and support in the roll out of new products.

Relationship management:

• The Business Research Analyst must be a credible, capable professional who is able to build and maintain productive relationships with senior lawyers, key stakeholders and peers across the business;
• Be confident in promoting A&O Research & Library Services to the firm, globally, and seek opportunities to do this;
• Collaborate with colleagues across the network on the development of research products and techniques;
• Contribute to the training of colleagues and act as a mentor, as and when required; and
• Contribute content to the Library Know How wiki and Library intranet.