Specialist, Research Operations

Goodwin Procter Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement & Savings Plan

Paid vacation, sick time, holidays

Professional development and career‑op

Job summary

Goodwin na Boston seeks a Research Operations Specialist to ensure access to current research materials and manage serials, deskbooks, and vendor issues. You will maintain records, support budget forecasting, and coordinate with firm-wide offices to optimize subscriptions and services.

Minimal MLS-related qualification with 1–3 years in research operations; strong MS Office skills, ability to work independently, and cross‑functional collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• MLS from an ALA-accredited library school preferred; coursework toward MLS may substitute.

Responsibilities

• Maintain Research Monitor records for electronic contracts and ensure accuracy.
• Provide usage reports for e-Resources and update department records.
• Distribute deskbooks and coordinate bulk orders to maximize discounts.
• Prepare orientation materials for new hires and ensure all services are active.
• Review so-called Research Operations Co-Op invoices for billing accuracy.
• Assist with budgeting forecasts and track departmental spend.
• Coordinate vendor support and follow-up to align with needs.
• Maintain integrity of records in the collection management system.
• Support content management for departmental sites and research pages.
• Assist password administration and access maintenance.
• Manage Quest intake tool, review reports, and assist workflow upgrades.
• Train co-op employees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

MLS

Tools

DMS

Finance & Accounting tools

MS Office

Job description

Join Goodwin’s Global Operations Team, and make a real impact on a global scale. At Goodwin, we work with some of the world’s most successful and innovative investors, entrepreneurs and disruptors in the life sciences, private equity, real estate, technology and financial industries, and where they converge. As part of the Global Operations Team – all business professionals at the firm – you’ll collaborate with colleagues from varied backgrounds and experiences, fostering an environment where cross‑functional learning, networking, and collaboration are at the core of what we do. Here, we’re not just supporting a law firm; we’re partnering with attorneys and clients to deliver cutting‑edge solutions in high‑stakes litigation and dispute resolution, world‑class regulatory compliance and advisory services, and complex transactions. Our commitment to integrity, ingenuity, agility, and ambition drives us, and we’re proud to have been recognised as the “Best Business Team” by The American Lawyer. This is your opportunity to grow professionally in a dynamic, global environment, surrounded by forward‑thinking peers.

The Research Operations Specialist works to ensure members of the firm have access to accurate and current research materials. Responsibilities include performing all aspects of serials management including renewals, check‑in, electronic and print current awareness routing; distribution of deskbooks and troubleshooting vendor issues such as subscription claiming, and reconciling invoice discrepancies.

What You Will Do

• Maintains records in Research Monitor for firm’s electronic contracts and ensures records are accurate and up-to-date.
• Participates in e-Resource Lifecycle by providing usage reports for resources and updating records in department systems on an ongoing basis.
• Maintains core attorney deskbook master list and ensures that deskbooks are distributed efficiently across firm-wide practice areas; responsible for coordinating firm-wide office copy bulk orders to maximize available discounts.
• Ensures orientation materials for new and lateral hires, including lawyers, paralegals, court procedures, marketing and other administrative staff, are prepared and distributed; ensures all print and electronic services are active and delivered by new hires’ start dates.
• Reviews invoices processed by Research Operations Co-Op and ensures billing and other details relating to payment are accurate.
• Assists with recommending annual budget needs for research resources and tracks departmental spend to support accurate forecasting, invoice review, and ongoing budget management.
• Makes recommendations for vendor support needs and helps coordinate vendor‑related operational follow‑up to ensure services, subscriptions, and issue resolution align with departmental needs.
• Responsible for maintaining integrity of records in firm collection management system relevant to this function.
• Participates in content management initiatives relating to departmental team sites and legal research pages.
• Assists with projects relating to password administration and access maintenance, as assigned.
• Manages the operational side of Quest, the department’s request intake tool, including reviewing reports, monitoring ticket categorization, supporting workflow consistency, and upgrades.
• Helps train department co‑op employee(s).
• Other duties as assigned.

Who You Are

• Master of Library Science (“MLS”) from an ALA accredited library school preferred; course work towards an MLS degree can take place of MLS degree.
• Minimum 1-3 years research operations experience in a special or academic library.
• Knowledge of integrated library automation systems.
• Knowledge of cataloging standards such as RDA, USMARC, and LC classification and standard authority control procedures.
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with Research Services and firm colleagues.
• Experience using MS Office applications including, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to learn and develop proficiency using specific firm applications such as a DMS and finance and accounting tools.

#LI-JM1

Benefits and More

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement & Savings Plan
• Emergency back‑up child and adult care
• Paid vacation, sick time off, and holidays
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities
• Employee recognition and reward programs
• Employee wellness and assistance programs
• Employee discounts and perks

This position is eligible for overtime: No

The target salary range for this position varies by location and is commensurate with relevant experience: Boston $75,100 - $112,600 | Los Angeles $80,700 - $121,100 | New York $80,700 - $121,100 | Orange County $80,700 - $121,100 | Philadelphia $73,600 - $110,400 | San Diego $80,700 - $121,100 | San Francisco $86,300 - $129,500 | Santa Monica $80,700 - $121,100

Professional career paths at Goodwin offer you more – and less – than you might expect. You’ll find less hierarchy and more meritocracy. You’ll have more chances to work across departments and offices, and fewer roadblocks to getting the job done. We believe people are happiest when they’re not limited by a ‘that’s how we’ve always done it’ approach, so we encourage a more imaginative and collaborative working environment.

Our Global Operations Team – what we call our GO Team – brings a level of professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment to work each and every day.

Goodwin embraces responsible and ethical use of AI in the Hiring Process.