Research Manager

About Legal 500

Legal 500 was founded by John Pritchard in 1987 as the original clients’ guide to law firms, the first of its kind. It is now a data-driven, AI-optimised research platform which benchmarks, informs and connects providers and users of legal services in over 100 countries worldwide.

Our research and data are trusted and relied upon by corporate clients globally as an essential part of the process, both of instructing law firms with new mandates, and when reviewing existing mandates or panels.

We exist to empower both buyers and sellers in the international legal marketplace to make better decisions and have improved outcomes for their organisations. This is achieved by leveraging a trusted, comprehensive research process with a unique, vast, proprietary and constantly updated set of client-supplied data, unrivalled in the market.

On the supply side of the legal market, every year Legal 500’s team of over 150 researchers, technologists, data analysts, journalists and content specialists collate and review 60,000+ data-submissions from law firms and conduct interviews with thousands of leading law firm partners. On the demand side, Legal 500 analyses confidential data from 300,000+ commercial law firm clients to benchmark law firms and lawyers by practice area; industry; jurisdiction; as well as by proprietary client satisfaction metrics, NPS®, and other qualitative and quantitative criteria.

Legal 500 is the only source of this depth of global research and data on law firms, lawyers and their clients.

Job Purpose

The Research Manager role is central to Legal 500’s strategic growth, leading the delivery of high-quality, lawyer-led coverage of the US legal market. Based in our new Leeds office, you will manage a team of research analysts, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of editorial projects, and fostering a high-performing, supportive team culture.

This is a hands-on leadership position that combines people management, project oversight, and stakeholder engagement. You will work closely with the US Editor, Research Director, and commercial colleagues to identify priority markets, manage research cycles, maintain quality standards, and build relationships with partner-level lawyers and business development teams in leading law firms.

The role requires excellent organisational skills, a proactive and results-driven mindset, and the ability to manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

What we're looking for:

The ideal candidate will be a proven people manager with strong communication skills, able to motivate and coach a team while delivering complex projects to schedule. You will be comfortable working independently, confident in decision-making, and able to build credibility with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.

Essential experience:

• Proven line management experience, including performance reviews and development planning
• Track record of delivering project-based work to deadlines
• Experience in research-led, editorial, or data-informed environments
• Comfortable operating independently in a deadline-driven context

Desirable experience:

• Background in market research, publishing, insight generation, or similar industries
• Exposure to professional services, B2B environments, or legal markets (advantageous but not essential)
• Experience liaising with commercial or client-facing teams

From a competency perspective, we’re looking for someone who is:

• An effective supervisor: sets clear goals, motivates the team, and delivers constructive feedback
• A strong communicator: able to engage confidently with law firm partners, business development professionals, and internal stakeholders
• Results-oriented: able to keep projects on track and maintain team focus across competing deadlines
• Organised and detail-oriented: ensures all research output meets accuracy and consistency standards
• A relationship builder: credible, approachable, and able to maintain strong professional relationships at all levels
• Adaptable and resilient: thrives in a fast-moving environment and responds positively to change
• A culture contributor: fosters an inclusive, respectful, and high-performing team culture

Other information

• This role is based in our new Leeds office (central location, close to Leeds station)
• Hybrid working – 3 days a week in the office, 2 days remote
• Working hours are 11am–7pm to align with US-based stakeholders and markets
• Ideal start date: October 2025