Research Services & Competitive Intelligence
The Senior Manager will drive innovation in research services and competitive intelligence, leveraging technology and strategic insights to enhance decision-making and business development. This position involves leading a small team, optimizing research processes, and integrating AI and automation to improve service efficiency.
Responsibilities
Research Services Leadership
- Oversee the evolution of research services by integrating advanced technologies and process improvements.
- Lead a team responsible for delivering high-quality legal research and competitive intelligence.
- Establish a client-focused research model that prioritizes speed, accuracy, and actionable insights.
- Develop and conduct training programs to enhance research capabilities across the organization.
Competitive & Market Intelligence
- Build and implement a competitive intelligence strategy to track market trends and industry shifts.
- Provide research-backed insights to support business development, client strategies, and geographic expansion.
- Maintain a structured framework for monitoring industry changes, competitor activities, and regulatory updates.
Resource & Budget Management
- Manage budgets, contracts, and subscriptions for research tools to ensure cost efficiency.
- Evaluate and negotiate vendor agreements to maintain access to top-tier research resources.
- Continuously assess emerging technologies and platforms to enhance research capabilities.
Team Development & Leadership
- Mentor and develop research staff, fostering an environment of innovation and continuous learning.
- Build a culture of knowledge sharing and process improvement.
- Upskill team members in new technologies and best practices for legal research and competitive intelligence.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with business development, recruiting, and practice groups to provide strategic research support.
- Present complex research findings in clear, actionable terms to senior leadership.
- Ensure research and competitive intelligence are integrated into firm-wide decision-making processes.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in research, library science, information services, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience managing legal research, competitive intelligence, or knowledge management in a law firm or professional services environment.
- Position includes two direct reports MUST HAVE people management experience in prior roles.
- Strong leadership skills in managing processes and driving strategic initiatives.
- Ability to translate complex research findings into clear, non-technical insights for diverse audiences.
- Experience with AI-driven research tools, predictive analytics, and emerging legal technologies.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional collaboration and support business strategy through data-driven insights.