Steptoe & Johnson LLP, a Washington, DC-based Am Law 100 law firm, is seeking a Research & Information Services Operations Manager to join the Washington, DC office. The RIS Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all support operations and subscriptions within the RIS department, ensuring efficient management of resources, systems, and services, including knowledge management.

This role involves leading the RIS Operations team of four and collaborates internally across the department to provide exceptional support to attorneys, business services teams, and clients. The RIS Operations Manager will also be responsible for implementing research technologies relevant to the delivery of RIS services in conjunction with support from the firm’s Information Technology team and external providers. The position is part of the RIS department’s leadership team, working alongside the two directors in the department and reports to the head of department.

Essential Functions

• Team Leadership:
• Supervise and provide guidance to the Operations team, including hiring, training, and performance evaluations.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, promoting teamwork and professional development.
• Delegate tasks effectively, ensuring efficient workflow and timely completion of projects.
• Implement the employee training and support necessary to complete the structural shift of department roles and responsibilities.
• Operations Management:
• Oversee the maintenance and management of the RIS Department's integrated library system (ILS) and other relevant software applications.
• Ensure accurate cataloging, classification, and indexing of firm resources, adhering to industry standards and best practices.
• Manage the acquisition and processing of physical and electronic resources, including subscriptions, databases, and e-books.
• Collaborate with vendors and IT staff to resolve technical issues and ensure optimal performance of RIS Department systems.
• Resource Management:
• Oversee the development and implementation of strategies for organizing, maintaining, and expanding the RIS Department's digital and print collections, including e-journals, e-books, and databases.
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies, tools, and platforms to enhance access and usability of digital resources.
• Monitor copyright compliance and licensing agreements for digital materials, ensuring adherence to legal and ethical standards.
• Manage the firm’s electronic knowledge management platforms.
• Document Retrieval Support:
• Oversee document retrieval activities, ensuring high levels of accuracy and timeliness.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices in legal research and information retrieval.
• Project Management:
• Lead and participate in various RIS Department initiatives and projects, such as system upgrades, digitization efforts, and collection assessments.
• Develop project plans, set timelines, and allocate resources to ensure successful project completion.
• Communicate project progress, challenges, and outcomes to RIS Department stakeholders.
• Budgeting and Reporting
• Ensure that resource costs remain within budget.
• Assist with the negotiation of renewals and new contracts, leveraging attorney usage and feedback to drive cost discussions.
• Oversee compilation of usage statistics for all resources on a regular reporting schedule. Analyze statistics for trends and share interpretations with staff and key stakeholders.
• Other projects and activities as required
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in technical services or library systems management, preferably in a law firm or corporate setting.
• Strong knowledge of library technologies, integrated library systems (ILS), and digital resource management.
• Familiarity with legal research tools and databases, such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, or Bloomberg Law.
• Experience managing a team and leading projects, with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and trends in libraries and information services.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong commitment to supporting staff as they work to gain new knowledge and skills to enhance their job proficiency.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
  
  

Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an equal opportunity employer EOE/AA/Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any basis proscribed by applicable statutes.