Director of Research Services

With eleven offices across the United States, 450+ professionals and 350+ staff professionals, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP , is a multidisciplinary, integrated national professional services firm known for quality and an extraordinary commitment to clients. The firm’s groundbreaking approach—bringing together legal services, advocacy and business strategy—differentiates Manatt from its competitors and positions the firm to provide a unique and compelling value proposition.

Opportunity

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Research Services to build a Research Services department at the intersection of research, business development, AI and knowledge management.  This role is pivotal in ensuring attorneys, consultants, clients and business professionals have access to comprehensive legal research support while driving knowledge management and AI integration. The Director will oversee all aspects of research operations, including strategic vision setting, collection management, knowledge management, research technology including AI management, policy development and team management while fostering an environment of collaboration and creativity. 

By leveraging a strong legal, information science and technology background, the Director will drive the evolution of research services, enhance user engagement with technology, and support the Firm's strategy, legal services delivery and business development.  The Director will be a player-coach, guiding a team to maximize the impact of our services while building trusted partnerships across the Firm and with external information providers. This leader will not only focus on operational excellence but also on the development of strategic initiatives that align with organizational objectives, ensuring Research Services continually evolves to meet the needs of lawyers, consultants and business professionals. The Director will have exceptional communication and organizational skills, as well as a deep passion for research, knowledge management and technology.  The role will report to the Senior Director of Operations and occasional travel may be required.

Key Responsibilities

People Management

• Lead a team of information professionals, developing policies, workflows and services to ensure efficiency and quality.
• Hire, train, and develop staff, conducting performance evaluations and ensuring professional growth.
• Coordinate staff schedules to maintain service levels.

Operational Management

• Collaborate with Firm leadership on long-term strategies for Research Services.
• Manage the department’s budget and ensure compliance with licensing agreements and copyright laws.
• Evaluate, select, negotiate and manage vendor contracts to meet the Firm’s evolving needs, consistently evaluating their performance, usage and cost-effectiveness.

Research & Knowledge Management

• Oversee advanced competitive intelligence and research services.
• Develop and maintain research and knowledge management tools and guides.
• Introduce AI solutions to enhance knowledge management and research efficiency.

Technology & AI Integration

• Evaluate, implement and manage technologies that improve information access.
• Stay current with emerging legal research and knowledge management technologies, particularly AI.
• Collaborate with Firm departments to leverage technology and optimize resource deployment.

Training & Development

• Design and conduct training on legal research, knowledge management, and technology use.
• Create instructional materials and guides for fee earners and professionals.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library & Information Science or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in legal/business research, knowledge management, technology and resource management.
• Leadership experience in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Strong organizational, project management, and mentoring skills.
• Expertise in legal and business research tools (e.g., Westlaw, Hoovers, Dun & Bradstreet, court dockets, legislative materials).
• Proficiency in Windows-based software and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Office 365, iManage-Work10).
• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Strategic thinking and ability to align services with Firm objectives.
• Adaptability in a rapidly changing legal/consulting environment.
• Understand client service within a professional services organization, and is driven to exceed expectations.
• Attention to detail in managing resources and ensuring information accuracy.
• Prior budget management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high quality work while maintaining a client service focus.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to gather information from a broad range of sources and influence others to make changes.
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment, prioritize multiple projects on a daily basis, adjust to shifting priorities, all with a “can-do” “roll up the sleeves” attitude.
• Strong planning, project management, analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently (self-motivated with proven ability to anticipate problems and move things forward with limited direction and varying deadlines) and as part of a team with a proactive and positive style that fosters collaborative working relationships.
• Deep personal commitment to integrity, excellent judgment, and the highest standards of ethics.
• Ability to work discreetly with confidential information and situations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel as needed.

The base annual pay range for this role is between $185,000-$235,000. The base pay to be offered will vary and depend on skills and qualifications, experience, location and will also take into account internal equity. A full range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on the position will also be offered.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

EEO/AA EMPLOYER/Veterans/Disabled

Manatt is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, physical or mental disability, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex or gender (including gender identity, gender expression, status as a transgender or transsexual individual, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (over 40), genetic information, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, sexual orientation, political activity or affiliation, genetic or and any other protected classes or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the American Disabilities Act, applicants may request accommodations needed to participate in the application process.

This employer will provide the Social Security Administration  (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security  (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking  adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or  to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the  choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid,  this employer uses E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that your employer has violated its responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).