Assistant Research Librarian

Herbert Smith Freehills; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills in New York seeks an Assistant Research Librarian to support research services, deliver training, and manage both digital and physical information resources.

You will provide current awareness services, assemble sector newsletters, and collaborate with the Research team on system and project initiatives to enhance client delivery and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• Masters in Library Science or equivalent.
• Ideally 1–2 years’ experience in a professional services library or information service.
• Proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with SharePoint preferred.
• Basic data analysis and reporting concepts.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Attention to detail and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day research and current awareness support to lawyers and staff.
• Deliver high quality business and legal research using diverse resources.
• Produce newsletters on sectors, clients or key topics.
• Design and deliver training on online information products and research techniques.
• Manage lifecycle of hardcopy materials and cataloguing tasks.
• Support procurement, invoicing and vendor liaison as needed.
• Collaborate with Research team on projects and process improvements.
• Maintain accurate user access, records and system data.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal

Attention to detail

Time management

Team collaboration

Proactive attitude

Independent work

Education

Masters in Library Science or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

SharePoint

Job description

The Opportunity

The Assistant Research Librarian plays an important role in supporting the delivery of Research services across the US offices. The role provides day-to-day research and current awareness support, helping to ensure lawyers and business services teams have access to the information, resources and training they need. The role also supports a range of administrative and operational activities that are essential to the efficient delivery of Research services.

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

• Use legal and business information resources to provide a current awareness service to the business
• Produce and collate newsletters on sectors, clients or key topics

Procurement and collection development

• Management of complete lifecycle of hardcopy material
• Selection, procurement and cataloguing of hardcopy resources
• Updating and amending catalogue records, processing and distributing new books
• Arranging for the disposal or withdrawal of stock
• Liaise with stakeholders to evaluate requirements
• Use infrastructure products (Library Management System, Resource Management System) to track, analyse and review database usage
• Liaise with external suppliers to resolve technical, content or access issues with resources
• Process payment of invoices
  

Training

• Design and deliver training on online information products and research techniques
• Assist end users to develop their own research skills and strategies

Additional duties

• Be a collaborative and active member of the Research team supporting in all projects as and when they arise
• Some administrative duties such as credentialing new employees
• User access is managed accurately and in a timely manner
• Catalogue and resource records are maintained to a high standard
• Vendor issues are resolved promptly and effectively
• Positive feedback from stakeholders on responsiveness and service quality
• Contribution to successful delivery of system and operational projects
• Reference and research requests are completed on time and to the satisfaction of the user
• Demonstrated ability to work within policies and guidelines and to contribute to the attainment of department goals as set by the Senior Research Manager
• Masters in Library Science or equivalent
• Ideally 1-2 years’ experience working in a professional services library or other library/information service environment
• Demonstrated attention to detail
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges
• Proficiency in basic technical skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Familiarity with Microsoft SharePoint (preferred)
• Basic understanding of data analysis and reporting techniques
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
• Effective problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude
• Excellent time management and organizational skills

Personal Leadership

• Positively impacts those around them, makes quality decisions and develops themselves both personally and professionally
• Demonstrates sound knowledge in their field
• Anticipates potential problems and identifies a range of possible solutions
• Adapts their interpersonal style to suit different audiences in a genuine way

Builds Authentic Relationships

• Takes time to get to know people beyond their role
• Treats people with respect and in a fair and consistent way
• Recognises when colleagues are under pressure and volunteers to assist them where possible

Collaborates with others

• Works within teams and across boundaries to share knowledge and achieve results
• Identifies and builds relationships required to achieve the best outcomes for the firm
• Engages people with the right skills, knowledge and expertise to provide advice and assist with tasks
• Connects other people in the firm who have mutual interests or work objectives
• Generously shares their time, knowledge, expertise and talent to support others’ success

Enhances the Client Experience

• Creates opportunities to enhance the experience of the firm’s clients through their daily tasks
• Behaves consistently with the firm’s values in their interactions with others
• Conducts themselves in a way that reflects positively on the firm’s brand, both inside and outside the firm

Achieves Results

• Maintains focus and drive to achieve quality outcomes
• Focuses their time and efforts on issues that will have the greatest impact on agreed objectives
• Anticipates responses and plans their approach accordingly
• Looks for the most effective way to achieve outcomes
• Maintains perspective and optimism when faced with setbacks

Salary Range - US$85,000-US$95,000.

Team

Knowledge and Research

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

New York

Contract type

Permanent Contract

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.

HerbertSmithFreehillsKramerisanequalopportunityemployer.Thefirmiscommittedtocreatingandmaintainingaworkplaceinwhichallemployeeshaveanopportunitytoparticipateandcontributetothesuccessofthebusinessandarevaluedfortheirskills,experience,anduniqueperspectives.Thefirmdoesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,color,creed,religion,sex,nationalorigin,veteranstatus,mentalorphysicalhandicapordisability,age,citizenshipstatus,alienage,ancestry,maritalstatus,sexualorientation,genderidentity,orexpressionoranyothercriteriaprohibitedunderapplicablefederal,stateorlocallaw.