JOB DESCRIPTION
About Herbert Smith Freehills
As one of the world’s leading law firms, we advise many of the largest and most ambitious organisations across all major regions of the globe. With over 5,000 people, including 3,100 lawyers and over 2,000 business services professionals, operating from our global network of offices across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice.
We recognise that the success of our business and our clients relies on the skills, knowledge and ideas of all our people. Our environment is one in which high performance is expected, in return, we will provide you with rewards and opportunities tailored to your personal and professional goals.
The Opportunity
Key Internal Relationships:
1. Members of the global Knowledge and Research team
2. Partners, lawyers, Business Development, Professional Support Lawyers, Procurement. Learning and Organizational Development, Business Finance
Key External Relationships:
3. Key vendors and suppliers
4. External information professionals
Role / Primary Responsibilities:
5. The primary function of the Research department is to support the legal and business information needs of partners, lawyers and Business service professionals. This team of highly experienced information professionals is led by the Research Manager, West and currently has 11 members of staff based in London.
6. The Research team manages an extensive range of online and hard copy legal and business information resources, underpinning the firm’s wide-ranging expertise and business development strategies. Besides providing research services, Research has a proactive role in the promotion of new technologies, with a particular emphasis on supporting an increasingly agile firm. Research pro-actively supports the firm's strategies
7. The standard hours for this role will be 9.30am – 5.30 pm, but some flexibility may be required.
Key Performance Indicators:
8. Reference and research requests are completed on time and to the satisfaction of the user
9. Positive feedback from key stakeholders and other members of the Knowledge and Research team
10. Demonstrated ability to work within policies and guidelines and to contribute to the attainment of department goals as set by the Research Manager
Key Responsibilities:
Research Services
Supporting the firm to realise its strategy by delivering high quality business and legal research using a wide range of online and hardcopy resources
Supporting panel pitches process by providing research on clients
Current awareness
11. Use legal and business information resources to provide a current awareness service to the business
12. Produce and collate newsletters on sectors, clients or key topics
Training
13. Design and deliver training on online information products and research techniques
14. Assist end users to develop their own research skills and strategies
Procurement and collection development
15. Management of complete lifecycle of hardcopy material
16. Selection, procurement and cataloguing of hardcopy resources across the global network
17. Updating and amending catalogue records, processing and distributing new books
18. Arranging for the disposal or withdrawal of stock
19. Liaise with stakeholders to evaluate requirements
20. Use infrastructure products (Library Management System, Resource Management System) to track, analyse and review database usage
21. Liaise with external suppliers to resolve technical, content or access issues with resources
22. Process payment of invoices
Additional duties
23. Be a collaborative and active member of the Research team supporting in all projects as and when they arise
24. Some administrative duties such as managing the research rota and organising the weekly new joiner induction
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
25. Postgraduate/graduate qualification in Library/Information Studies (or equivalent)
26. Demonstrate an interest in the Library/Information profession
27. Demonstrated attention to detail
28. Willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges
29. Proficiency in basic technical skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
30. Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint (preferred)
31. Basic understanding of data analysis and reporting techniques
32. Strong communication and interpersonal skills
33. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
34. Effective problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude
35. Excellent time management and organizational skills
Team
Knowledge and Research, London K&R Helen McQuillin Level 1
Working Pattern
Full time
Location
London
Contract type
Permanent Contract
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.