Research Manager

Holland & Knight LLP; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical

401(k) with matching

Paid holidays

Profit sharing

Job summary

Holland & Knight seeks a Research Manager to lead a national team of researchers, shaping processes and best practices while ensuring high-quality research deliverables. You will guide Supervisors and Analysts, drive efficiency through technology and AI, and collaborate with Research Services leadership on strategic initiatives.

In this role you will mentor staff, develop metrics, and harmonize research workflows across practices and industries, while upholding firm policies and information

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership or management in a research setting.
• Proven ability to develop and implement research processes and metrics.
• Experience teaching and mentoring attorneys and research staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead a national Research team and align goals with firm strategy.
• Define quality standards to ensure accurate, consistent research outputs.
• Oversee and mentor Supervisors, Analysts, and Researchers.
• Drive efficiency through technology and AI-assisted workflows.
• Manage research requests, metrics, and training programs.

Skills

Leadership

Research management

Legal research

Strategic planning

Mentorship

Data analysis

Communication

AI tools usage

Microsoft Office

Education

Master's in Library/Information Science or equivalent

15+ years research experience in law/firm

Tools

LexisNexis

Westlaw

Bloomberg

PACER

Capital IQ

PitchBook

Job description

We are a Firm where people truly believe in what they do and strive to achieve the highest standards of performance and success.

This position can be based in our global operations center in Tampa, FL or in our Dallas office.

General Description

The Research Manager leads a national team of Research Supervisors, Senior Research Analysts and Research Analysts, creates strategic research processes and best practices while ensuring consistent quality control over all substantive research deliverables. The Research Manager provides leadership and oversight to the Research Team, including guiding and supporting Research Supervisors, improving workflow efficiency through the strategic use of technology and AI, and providing direct research support as needed. As a member of the Research Services Leadership team, the Research Manager contributes to strategic planning and initiatives that support departmental and firmwide objectives.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

Manage national Research team while emphasizing collaborative team values and culture. Serve as part of the Research Services leadership team, working to align research team goals, projects, and initiatives with firm strategy and objectives. Define and oversee quality control standards to ensure research product accuracy, consistency, and high-quality. Lead the development and execution of strategic research processes and best practices, maintaining effective team structure and appropriately delegating responsibilities. Provide oversight and guidance to Research Supervisors, contributing directly as needed while ensuring they are equipped to mentor, coach, and develop team research capabilities through effective training and upskilling. Drive continuous improvements in research workflow efficiency and output through the strategic use of technology including AI tools, standardized research templates, knowledge creation, and other solutions that enhance quality, consistency, and speed. Support Research Services leadership in developing and maintaining best practices for AI use within research workflows, aligned with firmwide guidance, policies, and ethical standards. Define and execute the Research Services content and knowledge management strategy across the intranet, knowledge base(s), ERM, and DMS platforms. Partner with the Digital Solutions Manager to support system integrations, APIs, and automations that enable and enhance these platforms. Serve as a working manager, providing support and stepping in as needed to assist with research requests and team coverage. Support Research Services leadership in leading practice aligned research engagement, helping ensure proactive research and information support across firm practices, industries, and teams. Provide ongoing ownership and refinement of assessment metrics for research requests and services, developed in collaboration with the Digital Solutions Team, and report monthly metrics to KM & Research leadership. Stay abreast of and advise on the information needs, workflow, and preferences of users and stakeholders to improve ease of access to information and best-in-class research service. Assess and report on resource or technology needs, as well as collection strengths and weaknesses, through conversations with firm lawyers and other key stakeholders. Prepare for and lead research team meetings, including drafting agenda and follow-up communication. Review and assess individual researcher work product output according to quantitative and qualitative best practice metrics. Plan and implement regular research training, legal vendor training, knowledge sharing sessions, and other continuing education toward maintaining highest quality service output. Maintain and support updates to Research Services training materials, including show sheets and training manuals, ensuring accuracy and consistency of instructional content. Oversee and support updates to request management systems, ensuring the collection of valuable metrics and researcher adherence to established Research leadership policies and guidelines. Manage audits of all Research Services alerting. Act as steward of the firm's information resources; complying with all information security, privacy, confidentiality and licensing requirements while enforcing researchers’ adherence to the same. Expected to maintain a regular and predictable work schedule and full attention to and engagement in work activities on behalf of the firm during business hours unless otherwise approved or required by applicable law. Special projects and duties as assigned.

Required Skills

Deep understanding of legal systems, industry trends, and research methodologies. Advanced proficiency with major legal and business research platforms (e.g., Lexis, Westlaw, Bloomberg, Capital IQ, Pitchbook, PACER, HeinOnline) and familiarity with APIs and data visualization tools. Ability to scope and anticipate attorney research needs, conduct reference interviews, design research plans, and deliver high-value, cost-effective results. Strong critical evaluation skills, including assessing authority, credibility, and currency of information, and clearly articulating research processes and findings. Demonstrated ability to train attorneys and staff on legal and corporate research tools and strategies. Skilled at representing and promoting Research Services across practice groups and industry teams. Commitment to mentorship, team development, and knowledge sharing. Experience supervising teams, fostering leadership, building relationships, and promoting collaboration. Proven ability to manage resources, prioritize workloads, meet deadlines, and support team performance. Hiring and recruitment experience, including interviewing and talent evaluation. Experience with benchmarking, data analysis, and using data to identify opportunities and inform decisions. Strong critical thinking, sound judgment, and strategic problem‑solving abilities. Future‑focused mindset with the ability to surface challenges and opportunities proactively. Exceptional communication skills, including clear writing, professional speaking, active listening, emotional intelligence, and cultural sensitivity. Strong presentation abilities with persuasive, confident delivery. Demonstrated commitment to high service standards, discretion, accountability, and independent problem solving. Effective stress management, workload prioritization, and adaptability. Self‑aware, committed to continuous learning, and team‑minded. Proficiency with Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365. Basic troubleshooting skills for database access and online research tools.

Required Qualifications & Education

Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA accredited school or equivalent degree. Bachelor's Degree with more than 15 years of relevant experience may be substituted in exceptional circumstances. Minimum of 10 years legal, corporate, or industry research experience required; preferably in a law firm setting or equivalent. Minimum of 3 years management or leadership experience preferred, as demonstrated through leadership or project management roles or outcomes.

Physical Requirements

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Moderate or advanced keyboard usage.

Benefits

• comprehensive medical (PPO and HDHPs)
• dental and vision plans including coverage for domestic partners
• life and AD&D insurance
• short and long term disability insurance
• tax‑advantaged accounts for health care expenses, including FSAs and HSAs
• FSAs for dependent care
• health advocacy services
• behavioral health and counseling resources for all family members
• 401(k)
• profit sharing
• backup dependent care
• senior care planning support
• resources for individuals with development disabilities and their caregivers
• paid holidays and other paid time off, including paid leave for new parents

Equal Opportunity Employer

Holland & Knight is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other factor prohibited by law. Applicants who are interested in applying for a position and require an accommodation during the process should contact [e-mail]. Personal Information collected from applicants will be used for the purpose of processing the application throughout any recruitment or employment process, as well as inclusion in a personnel file. Categories of data collected may include name, address, phone numbers, email, Social Security Number, and signature. Holland & Knight may collect further information if you consent to a background check. This includes criminal background, employment, and certifications. Please visit Legal Information Portal for Holland & Knight LLP’s privacy policies.

Holland & Knight is proud of having built one of the largest, most respected law firms in the world today. Holland & Knight has been advising clients for more than 130 years and has approximately 2,200 lawyers across the U.S. and in five international offices. Holland & Knight services clients globally. Known for our extraordinary legal service to clients, our culture of excellence, and our commitment to the communities in which we work, we are a firm of people who truly believe in what we do. We invite you to experience what Holland & Knight has to offer. It takes more than lawyers to build a great law firm and, as a result, the firm employs more than 1,700 business professionals. Business professionals play a pivotal role in the firm by planning and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance the firm’s capabilities and drive growth. The firm employs business professionals in many different areas, including technology innovation, pricing, business development, finance, talent acquisition, marketing, information governance, cybersecurity, information technology, talent development, compliance, office administration, communications, and project management, just to name a few. Additionally, the firm employs many paralegals and practice assistants who directly support our lawyers and clients. Together, these roles form the infrastructure that allows our lawyers to focus on providing exceptional client service.