We are currently recruiting for a Global Head of Research & Library to join our London office.  This is a leadership role with responsibility for setting and delivering a strategy for the Research & Library function and developing and delivering client services.

The Global Head of Research & Library represents the function to the firm’s management, partners and other business services and provides leadership in the development of three areas of expertise – research, library management and procurement – across the firm. This role will identify, promote and implement systems to aid the operational efficiency of the service and is directly responsible for global information contracts, global budgets and the management of local library services.
 
You will have eight direct reports.  The total Research & Library team is 60+ based in a number of global offices.

In addition, you will be responsible for developing and promoting a bespoke client product, which uses the expertise and skills of the research team.

Role and responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

• Responsible for setting and implementing the global strategy of the function and identifying improvements in line with the firm’s mission, vision and values across all four Departments and 21 Global Practice Groups.
• Provide leadership to evaluate, develop and assess optimum organisational design propositions, core systems and processes.
• Build management commitment and drive acceptance of change to embed desired culture and behaviours.
• Motivate the team to develop their capabilities and fulfil their personal potential. Build capabilities elsewhere in the organisation through mentoring and other informal methods.
• The effective management of Research & Library resources to instil a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Ongoing auditing and monitoring of the value added by the service to identify improvements/changes needed.

Management and development of the Research & Library service

• Drive the development of the research function to equip lawyers with market leading business insight and intelligence.
• Identify, support and coordinate initiatives across the function such as: resource allocation, digitisation etc..
• Overall management and responsibility for the recruitment, talent management and compensation advice of the UK, US and HK Research & Library staff.
• Direct line management responsibility for eight staff.
• Responsible for proposing or reviewing staff promotions across the function.
• Mentoring of staff across the function.

Systems, budgeting and operational responsibility

• Oversight of all significant global library spend  and staff costs across the network ensuring correct allocation to client matters.
• Negotiating, recommending and influencing understanding of library spend across the firm through discussion with CFOs/COOs/Partners/Finance etc.
• Direct responsibility for the large library budgets of: London, Belfast, South Africa, Hong Kong and Australia and global spend for Practices.
• Responsible for overseeing the management of physical collections, digital and online resources.
• Responsible for identifying firm wide systems and processes to standardise and improve the provision of services to lawyers.

External relationships

• Responsible for the negotiation of all global information contracts and those for the UK, South African, HK and Australian offices, ensuring alignment with the firm’s risk policies.
• Responsible for the development and contribution to the firm’s service to clients, including the service to provide clients with a seamless, bespoke current awareness solution.
• Representative of A&O Shearman at professional events such as SLA, AALL, ILTA, BIALL.

Key collaboration with

• Knowledge Management (in particular with the Head of KM Systems and the Global Knowledge Community Lead)
• IT and other technology functions
• Business Acceptance Unit
• Advanced Delivery & Solutions
• In House Legal
• Risk
• Procurement

Key requirements

• Significant experience in a senior management position in a similar high performing environment and function.
• Proven experience of managing and organising teams, to include remote and virtual teams.
• Successful track record in project and change management.
• Demonstrable skills in budget management and effective stewardship of resources.
• Success in building effective and collaborative working relationships and able to command credibility with others.
• Thinks analytically and strategically, and responds creatively to challenges.
• Demonstrate knowledge of current and emerging technologies in library services, information technology and information literacy.
• Ability to leverage new technologies to develop a vision and new strategies to support changing needs.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• A higher degree or postgraduate qualification in librarianship/information is highly desirable but not essential depending on experience.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Additional information - External

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.