Description
Full-Time
Permanent
This role can be based in either Barcelona or Madrid.
Role purpose
To develop the local Information & Research (I&R) strategy in line with and in support of the Firm’s global strategy; ensure the alignment and effective delivery of I&R services to the Barcelona and Madrid offices, including management of the research librarians in both offices; work with the country Knowledge Partners, any local Knowledge team members and practicing lawyers to implement the I&R strategy and improve knowledge management and culture in the offices; manage the I&R budget for both the Barcelona and Madrid offices, with a focus on alignment of I&R subscriptions; act as the primary point of contact for Knowledge and I&R support requests and enquiries.
Main Responsibilities:
- Knowledge/I&R Strategy and Resources: Work with the Director of Knowledge, Markets & Research and Knowledge Partners to devise a local Knowledge/I&R strategy for Madrid and Barcelona offices that is fully aligned with the Firm's global strategy; design policies, procedures and standards to ensure quality parameters are met. Drive the implementation of the I&R strategy, development of the Knowledge culture and the leveraging of knowledge resources in both offices, including related enabling activities.
- Information & Research: With the aim of aligning and modernising the I&R services, strong direction and day to day line management and supervision of the Research Librarians in Barcelona and Madrid. Manages the procurement of local information resources in alignment with Information Product Management policies and in consultation with the EMEA I&R Lead. Effectively manages the relationship with local external information vendors to ensure the information needs of the offices are met under a cost control basis. Ensures and facilitates timely access to relevant legal information, promoting appropriate resources to allow lawyers to provide high quality legal advice to clients. Leads and coordinates the referral of local research enquiries to the appropriate End-to-End service and responds to enquiries requiring in-market expertise for research and information. Ensures industry thinking is applied when providing information and research, demonstrating extensive technical and professional knowledge relevant to the business.
- Lawyer Research and Other Knowledge Requests: Act as the primary point of contact for research requests and Knowledge enquiries, ensuring on-point, timely, succinct and thorough responses. Develops reputation as go-to knowledge contact in a market. Respond to ad hoc inquiries from lawyers directly with thorough and timely answers or coordinates effective response from other members of the Knowledge community with the appropriate expertise. Ensure timely fulfilment of all information and research requests and proper workflow management, including effective management of appropriate work priorities and effective communications with clients.
- Current awareness and commercial and industry knowhow: With the support of technology enablers and premium resources, identify industry, practice group and client-specific hot topics for internal and external current awareness and thought leadership; keep abreast and provides updates on legal/regulatory developments impact key PG/IGs in the market and/or develops processes to deliver such updates, leveraging knowledge center-based services where appropriate.
- Precedents and Other Legal Knowhow: Assist with identifying precedents from outside the market that can be leveraged and localized to fit the needs of the market. Assists with the development and collection of Knowledge content and coordination of training across all practice and industry groups, ensuring all material is stored in appropriate Knowledge systems.
- Client-Facing Knowledge: Provide client-facing teams with Knowledge and technical legal support, within the scope of his/her legal expertise and in line with agreed prioritisation. Understands market client program and key clients and applies that understanding to the I&R strategy and relevant knowledge initiatives.
- Knowledge Systems, LegalTech and Innovation: Take ownership of all I&R systems and some knowledge systems and drive awareness and adoption. Create and maintain appropriate intranet pages to make key resources readily available to users.
Travel requirements
Limited travel outside Spain. Frequent travel between Madrid and Barcelona.
About the team
Function
The Knowledge function is a Firm-wide team of nearly 300 professionals, including Knowledge Lawyers, Information & Research professionals, and a variety of other functional specialists. The Knowledge function helps the Firm deliver better legal solutions by producing and providing easy access to high quality, relevant legal information for both lawyers and clients. The focus is on the following areas:
- Content: creating, collecting and providing access to market-leading precedents, sample documents, practice notes, training materials and other knowhow for our lawyers and clients, reviewing and updating regularly, to ensure that the content is current and market-leading
- Systems: working with the Technology function to design, develop and build user-friendly and flexible platforms to store knowhow and deliver it intuitively to lawyers and clients, adopting common systems across all offices and practice/industry groups
- Culture: striving to establish Knowledge as a core part of every lawyer'srole, engaging actively with all lawyers in the Firm and encouraging them to share their own knowhow and expertise with colleagues as openly as possible; embracing a "one team" culture within the Firm's Knowledge community ensuring that all team members create and develop high quality local content while being aligned with our global strategy and approach
You will report to:
Director of Knowledge, Markets & Research
Your direct reports, if any
Research Librarians in Barcelona and Madrid
Key Relationships:
- Country Knowledge Partners
- Local PG & IG Leadership
- PG & IG Knowledge Lawyers
- EMEA Information & Research Lead
- Specialist Knowledge Functions
About the candidate:
Technical skills, qualifications and experience:
- Relevant undergraduate degree, law degree preferred
- Significant relevant experience with extensive experience of Knowledge, information and research in legal services environment
- Ability to manage teams (including remote teams) and multiple stakeholders, build strong relationships virtually, communicate effectively, comfortable working in large, complex environment, highly credible and persuasive
- Demonstrated ability to drive results and sense of urgency in setting strategies and executing against the objectives
- Proven ability to influence, interact and consult with senior leaders, strong collaboration skills and effective stakeholder management
- Excellent Spanish and English language skills (verbal and written) are a must and the confidence to communicate in a multi-cultural, multi-level environment
- Strong communication skills, and highly credible presentation skills
Personal qualities:
These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.
Know How
- Keeps across key developments in all relevant areas and demonstrates the ability to develop substantive authority in relation to the Firm's specialist fields
- Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distils a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
- Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis
Dedication
- Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
- Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is self-reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
- Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
- Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations
Personal Impact
• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
• Negotiates to achieve outcomes that are mutually satisfactory; shows good judgement on when to stand strong and when to compromise
• Invests in, nurtures and builds a network of productive relationships
Humanity
- Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
- Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
- Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion
How to apply
At Baker & McKenzie we welcome direct applications.
Candidates may send their application to:
Ares.GarciaCueto@bakermckenzie.com if you apply to Barcelona office location.
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
About Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie helps clients overcome the challenges of competing in the global economy. We solve complex legal problems across borders and practice areas. Our unique culture, developed over 65 years, enables our people to understand local markets and navigate multiple jurisdictions, working together as trusted colleagues and friends to instill confidence in our clients. This is an exciting time to join us as we invest in and further develop our Professional & Business Services organisation, providing rewarding and challenging career opportunities in all of our world-class business functions.
We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people -- regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age -- to fulfil their professional aspirations with us.