Description

Ballard Spahr LLP, a full-service, national law firm with 15 offices, is looking for a Director to lead its Research & Intelligence Center (RIC). The RIC provides an impressive array of services, including competitive intelligence, due diligence and knowledge management support as well as traditional library functions. The Director is responsible for the firm-wide development, coordination and delivery of these services. The successful candidate will head a department that is integral to the success of the firm and is continually evolving to take advantage of best practices and techniques.

The Director will:

·                     Evaluate all current department projects, processes, and workflows and regularly recommends strategies to streamline and enhance in response to evolving firm and client needs.

·                     Work closely with the Senior Director and Firm Leadership on the continuous development of a comprehensive competitive intelligence function.

·                     Work with team to ensure deep level of analysis of research findings and synthesis of key points in concise and compelling competitive intelligence work product deliverables.

·                     Develop centralized process for firm current awareness and works with team to provide proactive monitoring and alerting using a variety of sources to identify trends and developments in various geographies, practice areas and industry sectors of interest to the firm.

·                     Work closely with Departments, Practices, Industry Teams, and other key stakeholders to ensure ongoing alignment and value to research requestors.

·                     Create and manage budget for firm-wide research and intelligence services and resources; reviews and manage expenditures.

·                     Oversee the review and negotiation of contracts for firm-wide research resources.

·                     Oversee all aspects of the department’s training, orientation and shared content services.

·                     Oversee all aspects of new client due diligence research process.

·                     Maintain thorough knowledge of developments in information management, emerging technologies, legal and business research services, due diligence research and training services for legal professionals.

·                     Maintain thorough and current knowledge of research methodology as well as resources for all media types in the areas of law relevant to the firm’s practices.

Demonstrated ability to develop, implement and manage projects.  A strong customer service orientation with the desire and ability to enhance attorney productivity and the ability to forge relationships and to work collaboratively with users, management, colleagues and a diverse clientele is essential. Excellent oral and written business communication and presentation skills are required.

Qualified candidates will have a Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA accredited school or equivalent degree and a minimum of ten years progressively responsible experience, including significant experience in a law firm or corporate information center.  10 years of management experience, including supervision, strategic planning, and project implementation.  Thorough knowledge of all aspects of library operations and business operations in a law firm setting, library technologies and contract and license negotiation and statistical analysis. Proficiency with Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg and other legal and corporate research services.

Ballard Spahr is committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession and to supporting the communities where we live and work. People from all backgrounds are valued and integrated into every part of the firm. Diverse candidates including women, people of color and members of the LGBTQAI+ community, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Firm is not accepting resumes from search firms for this position.

For immediate consideration, please visit our career page https://www.ballardspahr.com/careers to submit your cover letter, resume and salary requirements.

Ballard Spahr is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a culturally diverse environment. The firm encourages applications from a diverse pool of candidates, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, age, national origin, handicap or disability, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, transgender status, sex stereotyping, genetic information, ancestry, veteran status or any other category protected by applicable law.