Manager, Knowledge & Research Services

Ryder Reid Legal; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and comprehensive |

Job summary

Ryder Reid Legal is seeking an experienced Manager of Knowledge & Research Services to lead its London-based research function and provide strategic support across European offices.

You will build competitive intelligence initiatives, drive AI-powered research adoption, manage vendor relationships, and design training to enhance research capabilities across the firm.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in legal, business or competitive intelligence research.
• Strong knowledge of major legal and business information resources.
• Experience delivering competitive intelligence programmes and strategic research products.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted research tools and generative AI technologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and vendor management experience.
• Ability to synthesise complex information into clear business insights.
• Experience managing or leading projects, initiatives, or teams.
• Experience within an international or global law firm.
• Knowledge of knowledge management systems, research platforms, or service desk environments.
• Professional qualification in Library, Information, or Knowledge Management.
• Legal research training experience.
• Additional European language skills, particularly German or French.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day research and knowledge operations across multiple offices.
• Deliver complex legal, business and market intelligence research for practice groups.
• Act as senior point of contact for research needs across European offices.
• Support knowledge-sharing and continual improvement of research services.
• Champion AI-powered research tools and platforms adoption.
• Design and deliver training programmes for lawyers and business services teams.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, generative AI platforms, and KM solutions.
• Identify process improvements to enhance research delivery.
• Lead competitive intelligence programmes to support strategic decisions.
• Manage subscriptions, electronic resources and supplier relationships.
• Support renewals, licensing and service evaluations.

Skills

Legal research

Competitive intelligence

AI tools

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

Training delivery

Knowledge management

Project leadership

Multinational experience

Language skills

Education

Library/Information/Knowledge Management qualification

Tools

AI research platforms

Knowledge management systems

Research databases

Job description

A leading international law firm is seeking an experienced Manager of Knowledge & Research Services to lead its London-based research function and provide strategic support across its European offices.

This is a high-profile role combining legal and business research expertise, competitive intelligence leadership, stakeholder management, and the adoption of cutting-edge AI research technologies. The successful candidate will work closely with senior lawyers, business development teams, and global knowledge professionals to deliver high-value insight that supports client growth, market positioning, and firm strategy.

The Role

As Manager of Knowledge & Research Services, you will oversee the delivery of research and knowledge services in London while acting as a key resource across several European offices.

You will lead the development of competitive intelligence initiatives, drive the adoption of AI-powered research tools, manage vendor relationships and knowledge resources, and deliver training programmes that enhance research capabilities across the business.

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of knowledge services within a highly respected international legal environment.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Knowledge Management

• Lead and manage day-to-day research and knowledge operations.
• Deliver complex legal, business and market intelligence research across multiple practice areas.
• Act as a senior point of contact for research and intelligence requirements across European offices.
• Support knowledge-sharing initiatives and contribute to the continual improvement of research services.
• Champion the adoption and effective use of AI-powered research and knowledge tools.
• Design and deliver training programmes for lawyers and business services professionals.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, generative AI platforms, and knowledge management solutions.
• Recommend process improvements and innovative ways to enhance research delivery.

Competitive Intelligence & Business Development

• Lead and develop competitive intelligence programmes that support strategic decision-making.
• Produce market insights, client intelligence, competitor analysis, alerts, newsletters, and briefing materials.
• Partner closely with Business Development and senior stakeholders to support pitches, client targeting, and growth initiatives.
• Transform complex data into concise, actionable intelligence.
• Manage key research subscriptions, electronic resources, and supplier relationships.
• Support contract renewals, licensing arrangements, and service evaluations.
• Identify opportunities to improve resource utilisation and maximise value.

Training & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop onboarding, training, and awareness programmes for lawyers and business services teams.
• Build strong relationships across offices and functions.
• Promote best practice and encourage knowledge-sharing throughout the organisation.

About You

You will bring significant experience within a law firm, professional services, corporate research, or knowledge management environment, alongside a genuine passion for innovation and emerging technologies.

• Proven experience in legal, business or competitive intelligence research.
• Strong knowledge of major legal and business information resources.
• Experience delivering competitive intelligence programmes and strategic research products.
• Familiarity with AI-assisted research tools and generative AI technologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and vendor management experience.
• Ability to synthesise complex information into clear business insights.
• Experience managing or leading projects, initiatives, or teams.
• Experience within an international or global law firm.
• Knowledge of knowledge management systems, research platforms, or service desk environments.
• Professional qualification in Library, Information, or Knowledge Management.
• Legal research training experience.
• Additional European language skills, particularly German or French.

What's on Offer?

• A strategic leadership role within a prestigious international legal environment.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions.
• The opportunity to drive AI innovation and shape the future of research services.
• International collaboration and occasional European travel.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

If you are an ambitious knowledge, research, or competitive intelligence professional looking for a role where you can influence strategy, embrace innovation, and work on an international scale, we would love to hear from you.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to all enquiries. If you have not received a response within 72 hours, please assume you have not been shortlisted at this stage, however thank you for taking the time to apply.