Director of Research & Insights

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

37d • $210,000 - $300,000

About The Position

Orrick currently has an excellent opportunity for a Director of Research & Insights. This position may be based in any of our U.S. offices and plays a critical leadership role in shaping and delivering a modern, innovative, and technology-enabled research and insights function across the firm.
The Director of Research & Insights provides strategic leadership for the global Research & Insights function and partners closely with lawyers, Innovation, Business Development, and Data & Digital teams to deliver high-impact research services. This role leads the evolution of services, talent, and technology to ensure the firm remains at the forefront of legal research, analytics, and insight-driven decision-making.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a senior leadership role within research, information services, or a comparable high-performance professional services environment.
• Demonstrated success leading and transforming teams in complex, matrixed, and often remote or virtual environments.
• Strong track record in strategic planning, change management, and project execution.
• Proven experience managing budgets and stewarding significant information and technology investments.
• Deep knowledge of legal research, information services, and emerging technologies, including AI and data-driven solutions.
• Ability to think strategically and analytically while responding creatively and pragmatically to challenges.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build credibility and influence across all levels of the organization.
• Degree and/or postgraduate qualification in librarianship, information science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Responsibilities

• Set and implement the global strategy for the Research & Insights function, aligned with firm priorities and practice needs.
• Serve as a visible leader and advocate for the function across the firm.
• Develop forward-looking service models that integrate research, data, analytics, and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
• Identify and assess opportunities for new and enhanced fee-earning and client-facing research and insight services.
• Foster a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Lead the integration of AI and other advanced technologies into research and insight services to improve quality, efficiency, and impact.
• Oversee the effective use of research platforms, data subscriptions, and analytics tools, ensuring they are leveraged to maximum value.
• Establish standard approaches to education, adoption, and best practices for department tools and technologies.
• Monitor emerging trends in research, data analytics, and technology to inform strategy and investment.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with lawyers, practice groups, and business teams to understand evolving needs and deliver tailored solutions.
• Collaborate closely with Innovation, Business Development, and Data & Digital teams on cross-functional initiatives and offerings.
• Ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery through clear standards, transparent resource management, and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Measure and assess the value delivered by the function and continuously refine services based on feedback and outcomes.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing, geographically distributed team.
• Ensure people, technology, and financial resources are deployed effectively in alignment with firm priorities.
• Oversee research and information procurement, budgeting, and cost allocation to drive efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
• Implement firmwide systems and processes to standardize and improve research and insight services.

Benefits

• We offer a full range of elective health benefits including medical, dental, vision and life; robust mental well-being programs; child, family, elder, and pet care benefits; short- and long-term disability and industry leading parental leave benefits, health savings account contributions (w/applicable medical plan), flexible spending accounts, and a 401K program.
• This role will receive compensated time off through our Flexible Time Off program, and paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director