Director of Research & Information Services

 

New York, NY

Report to: Chief Knowledge Officer

Summary

The Director provides the vision, direction, and leadership necessary to ensure that the Firm’s Research & Information Services teams support the firm’s strategic and operational goals.  The Director is responsible for the global coordination and delivery of research services and products, along with ensuring operational excellence and cost-efficiency.  The Director oversees all aspects of the operation in all locations either directly or through other members of the unit. 

Reporting Requirements

  • This position reports to the Chief Knowledge Officer.
  • The position supervises all members of the Research & Information Services teams, either directly or indirectly. 

Organizational Relationships

  • The Director works closely with management to understand the firm’s strategic direction and to anticipate change, so that products and services can be evolved to support the firm’s needs.
  • The Director works collaboratively with firm management, practice group and administrative department personnel to understand and meet local and firm-wide research information requirements.

Responsibilities

Policy and Planning

  • Drive forward Research & Information services strategic and business plans that align with the firm’s plans and activities, establishing long and short-term goals and initiatives
  • Formulate policies, procedures and standards to insure the effective and balanced delivery of services and resources throughout the firm
  • Establish quantitative and qualitative methods for measuring the effectiveness and quality of services and products, and make modifications as needed 

Financial Management

  • Recommend the annual capital and operating budget for approval by firm management
  • Oversee the development of systems and procedures for uniform expenditure tracking and reporting
  • Identify and implement revenue and cost-recovery opportunities, and review and recommend billing policies and rates 

Personnel

  • Support staffing structure, job descriptions and performance standards to enable department and firm goals and initiatives
  • Oversee the recruiting and hiring of staff, and the staff evaluation process
  • Create policies and coordinate the ongoing training and professional development of staff members 

Resources and Collection Development

  • Establish collection development policies for all media, including the acquisition of print and non-print resources and guidelines for the retention of print materials
  • Oversee and direct contract negotiations for access to global publications
  • Ensure that information about the resources is readily available (e.g., via catalog, intranet sites) regardless of media or location.

Research Products and Services

  • Oversee the equitable delivery of the full range of research services (e.g., on demand, current awareness, competitive intelligence) and develop plans to assess services so that they can be changed, as needed
  • Coordinate research and knowledge services (e.g., web pages, blogs, intranet sites) with the Knowledge Department to provide seamless access to resources and information
  • Plan and oversee the implementation of formal and informal training programs on the use of resources, products and services

Systems and Technology

  • Evaluate emerging information technologies and develop plans to address information technology issues
  • Oversee the selection and implementation of information technologies to support the delivery of resources, products and services

Communication and Marketing

  • Establish communication and marketing plans to ensure the smooth and constant exchange of critical information with attorneys, firm management, administrative departments and local office personnel
  • Represent the unit at committee, practice group and management meetings, contributing to the development and implementation of firm policies and procedures
  • Network with professional colleagues and vendors and attend professional meetings

Facilities

  • Manage the existing physical facilities used to house resources and staff and to serve Research & Information Services clientele
  • Assess space needs and recommend changes  

Other

  • Maintain up to date knowledge of developments in information management and the practice of law, including resources; products and services; and current and emerging technologies
  • Participate in or lead special projects, as assigned

Qualifications

Education/Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in library or information science.  JD is a plus.
  • 10+ years of experience in the research and information management field, including significant experience in large law firms
  • 5+ years of management experience, including supervision, strategic planning, and project development and implementation

Essential job requirements

  • Demonstrated skills and abilities in leadership, management, and administration, including strategic planning and project development and implementation
  • Knowledge of all aspects of library research and operations in a law firm setting, including resource development; research services and products; and information systems,
  • Knowledge of library technologies and applications, including Research Monitor, Quest, SydneyPlus, Linex and others.
  • Knowledge of all aspects of business operations in a law firm setting, including budgeting, fund accounting and cost recovery; contract and license negotiation; marketing; personnel management; and office technologies and applications
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including business writing

Supervisory/Management

  • Local and regional direct reports

 

 

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Open, dependent on experience

Date Active: 7.12.2016

Exempt/Not Exempt: Exempt

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