Research Librarian

The Opportunity:

Primary Responsibilities:

• The primary function of the Research department is to support the legal and business information needs of partners, lawyers and Business service professionals. This team of highly experienced information professionals is led by the Senior Research Manager, UK, US & EMEA and currently has 11 members of staff.
• The Research team manages an extensive range of online and hard copy legal and business information resources, underpinning the firm's wide-ranging expertise and business development strategies. Besides providing research services, Research has a proactive role in the promotion of new technologies, with a particular emphasis on supporting an increasingly agile firm. Research pro-actively supports the firm's Ambition strategy.
• The standard hours for this role will be 9.30am - 5.30 pm, but some flexibility may be required.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Enquiries and complex research requests are completed on time and to the satisfaction of the user
• Positive feedback from key stakeholders and other members of the Knowledge Learning and Research team
• Demonstrated ability to work within policies and guidelines and to contribute to the attainment of department goals as set by the Research Manager

Key Responsibilities:

Research Services

• Supporting the firm to realise its strategy by delivering high quality business and legal research using a wide range of online and hardcopy resources
• Supporting the Client, sector and market initiative by acting as a liaison to a sector lead. Proactively collaborate to understand their information needs and make recommendations based on existing resources available and deliver bespoke research
• Providing insightful analysis on sectors, markets and companies and the firms strategic priorities
• Supporting panel pitches process by providing research on clients

Current awareness

• Use legal and business information resources to provide a current awareness service to the business
• Produce and collate newsletters on sectors, clients or key topics
• Contribute to horizon scanning and thought leadership initiatives
• Training
• Identify, design and deliver training on online information products and research techniques
• Assist end users to develop their own research skills and strategies

Collection Development and management

• Assist with the day-to-day maintenance of online resources and identify strategies to assist with promotion of existing and new resources
• Liaise with external vendors and IT to manage and test infrastructure system upgrades
• Liaise with external suppliers to resolve technical, content or access issues with resource
• Assist with developing processes and procedures using key infrastructure tools (Library Management System, Intranet) to support all aspects of workflow to ensure efficiencies

Additional duties

• Be a collaborative and active member of the Research team and provide support in all projects as and when they arise
• Represent Research at appropriate meetings and supporting firm initiatives such as innovation, technology and digital

Key Internal Relationships:

• Members of the global Knowledge, Learning and Research team
• Partners, lawyers, Business Development, Professional Support Lawyers, Procurement

Key External Relationships:

• Key vendors and suppliers
• External information professionals

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Postgraduate/graduate qualification in Library/Information Studies (or equivalent)
• A minimum of 3 years' experience in a professional services library/research environment
• Extensive knowledge of key information and research databases
• Demonstrate a competent level of ability in the delivery of training
• Experience of using SharePoint and automated library management systems
• Basic financial management experience desirable