Director, Research & Insights

Job Summary & Objectives

The Knowledge & Innovation (K&I) team at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is responsible for driving the Firm’s strategic use of knowledge management, legal technology, digital products, AI, and innovation to enhance efficiency, client service, and practice development. The K&I team supports legal staff across practice areas and Professional Staff by developing and maintaining internal knowledge resources, implementing cutting-edge tools and platforms, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation across the Firm. Key initiatives include the integration of artificial intelligence and automation solutions, the enhancement of document management and research capabilities, and the delivery of training and best practices to ensure that the Firm remains at the forefront of legal service delivery.

The Firm is seeking a seasoned Director of Research & Insights to lead the development and implementation of research and competitive intelligence products and services within the Knowledge & Innovation (K&I) department. This role is responsible for driving the firm’s Firm’s strategy on implementation and adoption of information platforms and overseeing all aspects of digital and print collection management.  The Director will enable and support legal talent globally with in-depth research, and managing the production of high-quality, strategic intelligence products that align with the Firm’s practice priorities and business objectives.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Research & Insights strategic plan and roadmap to support the Firm’s growth objectives
• Create goals and priorities for the team that align with client needs; provide operational oversight and direction for the function in partnership with K&I leadership
• Ensure that the department is efficient and provides a high level of value-added service
• Ensure that the department is cost effective by controlling expenditures and managing the Research & Intelligence budget through financial reporting analysis for the entire vendor spend base
• Manage a team of researchers and intelligence analysts, providing strategic direction, training, and performance evaluation.
• Manage the evaluation and selection of information resources for practice support and APIs for organizing content and materials, including integrated databases and knowledge banks to ensure that the resources are accessible
• Collaborate with practice groups and senior leaders to identify emerging legal trends, market developments, and client needs.
• Advance and maintain relationships with other Firm departments, practice group leadership and other key stakeholders to inform and educate regarding department resources and services
• Develop Design and implement education and awareness programs to promote the tools and services of the department, including new technology
• Negotiate contracts, SOWs and service agreements; monitor terms of contracts and license agreements to assure compliance
• Leverage and apply metrics to measure adoption of tools and services.
• Maintain key strategic relationships with Research providers and identify/execute areas on how AI can amplify the impact of Research

Education

Required

•  Master’s in Library Science (MLS) is required; preferably from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited school

Preferred

• Juris Doctor (JD) or similar law degree preferred

Skills and Experience

Required

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the legal industry, including a minimum of 5 years as a people leader
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex legal and market developments into actionable insights; experienced in developing strategy to implement or enhance systems, procedures, and workflow to increase efficiency
• Demonstrated ability to direct change management initiatives in an Information Services environment; with the operational background to effectively direct, organize, staff, budget, and evaluate library operations
• Extensive knowledge of commercially available legal research, competitive intelligence, and other commonly used resources in the legal industry; expertise in legal research tools and technologies (e.g., LexisNexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg Law) and digital knowledge platforms
• Strong project management capabilities, leadership experience, and the ability to collaborate effectively with attorneys and other professionals in a cross-functional environment.
• Prior experience negotiating contracts and managing vendor relationships, and preparing and managing a multi-million-dollar budget
• Ability to prepare comprehensive reports and present ideas clearly and concisely; excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Superior organization skills with the capability to assess needs, assign priorities, set goals and objectives, develop strategies, manage change, evaluate outcomes and make recommendations
• Strong problem solving and interpersonal skills with the ability to resolve issues effectively and confidentially to bring projects to completion
• Cross-functional leader who can partner effectively across all levels of the organization and effectively work in a fast-paced client services environment
• Critical thinker who can demonstrate initiative and independent judgment, and  make administrative decisions, interpret policies, supervise, and counsel staff
• Understanding of AI with some hands-on experience in Prompt Engineering and how it can improve the Research capabilities and streamline manual tasks for Lawyers

Salary Information

Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The Firm prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other legally protected status. This Policy pertains to every aspect of an individual’s relationship with the Firm, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.