Kennedys is looking for a Senior Information Services & Research Manager to join our Knowledge team. The Senior Manager, Information & Research Services leads the firm's global research and information capability, delivering high-quality legal and business intelligence while transforming the function into a proactive, insight-led and AI-enabled service. The role ensures lawyers and business teams have timely access to authoritative, cost-effective, and strategically valuable information, while driving innovation in research delivery, vendor strategy, and knowledge integration.
Team
Kennedys Knowledge Team is comprised of Knowledge Lawyers (“KLs”), Knowledge Managers (“KMs”), Knowledge Advisors (“KAs”), Information Services professionals, and Knowledge Assistants.
Key Responsibilities
* Accountable for the global operating model for Information & Research Services, including enquiry intake and triage, service levels, coverage, escalation, and allocation across the team; ensuring consistent quality and an excellent user experience across regions
* Define and execute the Information & Research Services strategy aligned to firm priorities
* Oversee delivery of legal, business, and competitive intelligence research
* Act as a trusted advisor to Partners and business teams
* Oversee vendor strategy and management, including ownership of renewals calendar, invoice validation, contract negotiation, cost optimization, budgets and ROI reporting
* Develop and lead a high-performing global team
* Integrate research outputs into knowledge systems and AI tools
* Establish and oversee governance, policies, service standards and KPIs
* Design and deliver research and resource training for lawyers and business services; identify training needs and continuously improve capability and self‑serve research maturity
* Drive continuous improvement and innovation
* Work with the CKO to support practice innovation initiatives by identifying research, information, and knowledge service opportunities that enhance legal service delivery and practice effectiveness
* Contribute regional information services expertise to pilot programs, tool evaluations, and other initiatives sponsored by the CKO to improve practice support, knowledge access, and innovation adoption
* Collaborate with PI&KS Director on regional know-how management
Required Experience
* 8+ years in legal information or research services
* Expertise in legal research tools (e.g. Westlaw, Lexis, Practical Law), and legal publications management
* Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
* Commercial acumen and vendor management experience
* Ability to synthesise complex information into insights
* Experience with AI and legal tech tools, desirable
* Experience in global law firm environments, desirable
* Professional qualification in Library or Information Science, desirable
*where a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and represents the amount of time we would usually expect a candidate to accumulate the requisite level of experience. This does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.
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