Research Manager

Holland & Knight•Tampa, FL

About The Position

The Research Manager leads a national team of Research Supervisors, Senior Research Analysts, and Research Analysts, setting strategic research processes and best practices and ensuring consistent quality across substantive research deliverables. The role provides leadership and oversight to the Research Team, supports Research Supervisors, improves workflow efficiency through technology and AI, and provides direct research support as needed. As a member of the Research Services Leadership team, the Research Manager contributes to strategic planning and initiatives that support departmental and firmwide objectives. The position may be based at the global operations center in Tampa, Florida, or in the Dallas office.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited school or an equivalent degree. A bachelor’s degree with more than 15 years of relevant experience may be substituted in exceptional circumstances.
At least 10 years of legal, corporate, or industry research experience; preferably in a law firm or equivalent setting.
Deep understanding of legal systems, industry trends, and research methodologies.
Advanced proficiency with major legal and business research platforms, such as Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Pitchbook, PACER, and HeinOnline.
Familiarity with APIs and data visualization tools.
Ability to anticipate and scope attorney research needs, conduct reference interviews, design research plans, and deliver high-value, cost-effective results.
Strong critical evaluation skills, including assessing the authority, credibility, and currency of information and clearly explaining research processes and findings.
Ability to train attorneys and staff on legal and corporate research tools and strategies.
Ability to represent and promote Research Services across practice groups and industry teams.
Commitment to mentorship, team development, and knowledge sharing.
Experience supervising teams, fostering leadership, building relationships, and promoting collaboration.
Ability to manage resources, prioritize workloads, meet deadlines, and support team performance.
Hiring and recruitment experience, including interviewing and talent evaluation.
Experience with benchmarking and data analysis, and using data to identify opportunities and inform decisions.
Strong critical thinking, sound judgment, and strategic problem-solving abilities.
Proactive, future-focused approach to identifying challenges and opportunities.
Exceptional communication skills, including clear writing, professional speaking, active listening, emotional intelligence, and cultural sensitivity.
Strong presentation skills with persuasive, confident delivery.
Commitment to high service standards, discretion, accountability, and independent problem-solving.
Effective stress management, workload prioritization, and adaptability.
Self-awareness, commitment to continuous learning, and a team-minded approach.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365.
Basic troubleshooting skills for database access and online research tools.
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and perform moderate or advanced keyboard usage.

Nice To Haves

At least 3 years of management or leadership experience, demonstrated through leadership or project management roles or outcomes.
Legal, corporate, or industry research experience in a law firm setting or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Manage the national Research team while fostering collaborative team values and culture.
Align research team goals, projects, and initiatives with firm strategy as part of the Research Services leadership team.
Define and oversee quality control standards for accurate, consistent, high-quality research products.
Lead the development and execution of strategic research processes and best practices, maintain effective team structure, and delegate responsibilities appropriately.
Guide Research Supervisors and contribute directly as needed; ensure supervisors can mentor, coach, train, and develop team research capabilities.
Improve research workflow efficiency and output through technology, AI tools, standardized templates, knowledge creation, and other solutions.
Help develop and maintain best practices for AI use in research workflows in alignment with firm guidance, policies, and ethical standards.
Define and execute the Research Services content and knowledge management strategy across intranet, knowledge bases, ERM, and DMS platforms.
Partner with the Digital Solutions Manager on system integrations, APIs, and automations supporting information platforms.
Serve as a working manager, assisting with research requests and team coverage as needed.
Support practice-aligned research engagement and proactive research and information support across firm practices, industries, and teams.
Own and refine assessment metrics for research requests and services with the Digital Solutions Team, and report monthly metrics to KM & Research leadership.
Stay informed about users’ and stakeholders’ information needs, workflows, and preferences to improve information access and research service.
Assess and report resource, technology, and collection needs and strengths or weaknesses through discussions with firm lawyers and other stakeholders.
Prepare for and lead research team meetings, including creating agendas and follow-up communications.
Review individual researcher work product using quantitative and qualitative best-practice metrics.
Plan and implement research training, legal vendor training, knowledge-sharing sessions, and other continuing education.
Maintain and update Research Services training materials, including show sheets and training manuals.
Oversee updates to request management systems to ensure useful metrics are collected and researchers follow established policies and guidelines.
Manage audits of Research Services alerting.
Safeguard the firm's information resources and comply with and enforce information security, privacy, confidentiality, and licensing requirements.
Maintain a regular, predictable work schedule and full engagement during business hours, subject to approval or applicable law.
Perform special projects and other assigned duties.