Research Manager

Holland & Knight LLP • Tampa, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Manager leads a national team of Research Supervisors, Senior Research Analysts, and Research Analysts. The role develops strategic research processes and best practices, ensures consistent quality control of substantive research deliverables, and provides leadership and oversight to the Research Team. The Research Manager guides and 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 manager contributes to strategic planning and initiatives that support departmental and firmwide objectives.

The position may be based at the firm’s global operations center in Tampa, Florida, or its Dallas office. The role is expected to maintain a regular and predictable work schedule and full attention to work activities during business hours, unless otherwise approved or required by law.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited school or an equivalent degree; in exceptional circumstances, a bachelor’s degree plus more than 15 years of relevant experience may be substituted.
• 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 scope and anticipate attorneys’ 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, data analysis, and using data to identify opportunities and inform decisions.
• Strong critical thinking, sound judgment, and strategic problem-solving abilities.
• Future-focused approach and ability to identify challenges and opportunities proactively.
• 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 / 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 use.

Nice To Haves

• At least 3 years of management or leadership experience, demonstrated through leadership or project management roles or outcomes, is preferred.
• Experience in a law firm setting or equivalent is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the national Research team while emphasizing collaborative team values and culture.
• Participate in Research Services leadership and align team goals, projects, and initiatives with firm strategy and objectives.
• Define and oversee quality-control standards for accurate, consistent, high-quality research products.
• Lead the development and execution of research processes and best practices, maintain effective team structure, and delegate responsibilities appropriately.
• Guide Research Supervisors and provide direct support as needed; ensure supervisors can mentor, coach, train, and develop team research capabilities.
• Improve research workflow efficiency and output using technology, including AI tools, standardized templates, knowledge creation, and other solutions.
• Support development and maintenance of best practices for AI use in research workflows, aligned 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 integrations, APIs, and automations for information platforms.
• Work as a manager who provides research support and team coverage when needed.
• Support practice-aligned research engagement and proactive information support across firm practices, industries, and teams.
• Own and refine assessment metrics for research requests and services in collaboration with the Digital Solutions Team, and report monthly metrics to KM and Research leadership.
• Monitor and advise on users’ and stakeholders’ information needs, workflows, and preferences to improve information access and research service.
• Assess and report resource, technology, and collection strengths and weaknesses through discussions with lawyers and other stakeholders.
• Prepare for and lead research team meetings, including agendas and follow-up communications.
• Review researchers’ work product using quantitative and qualitative best-practice metrics.
• Plan and implement research training, legal vendor training, knowledge-sharing sessions, and continuing education.
• Maintain and update Research Services training materials, including show sheets and training manuals.
• Oversee and support updates to request management systems, ensuring useful metrics are collected and researchers follow leadership policies and guidelines.
• Manage audits of Research Services alerting.
• Safeguard the firm’s information resources and comply with, and enforce adherence to, information security, privacy, confidentiality, and licensing requirements.
• Complete special projects and other assigned duties.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plans (PPO and HDHP), including domestic partner coverage.
• Dental and vision plans, including domestic partner coverage.
• Life and AD&D insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Tax-advantaged health care accounts, including FSAs and HSAs.
• Dependent-care FSAs.
• Health advocacy services.
• Behavioral health and counseling resources for family members.
• 401(k).
• Profit sharing.
• Backup dependent care.
• Senior care planning support.
• Resources for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.
• Paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents.

What This Job Offers

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