Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Riyadh
Industry: Legal Services
Job Function: Research & Knowledge Management
Language Requirement: Fluent Arabic & English

A leading international law firm is seeking an experienced Research Services Manager to oversee research operations across its Middle East offices. Reporting to the EMEA leadership team, this role plays a critical part in ensuring lawyers and business professionals receive high-quality, timely, and innovative research support aligned with the firm’s commitment to exceptional client service.

The successful candidate will work closely with regional and global Research Resources, Training & Engagement teams, and the wider Knowledge Management & Practice Services group to support legal research delivery, technology adoption, and strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Research & Knowledge Services:

• Deliver and oversee high-level legal and business research, ensuring accuracy, quality, and timely turnaround

• Support lawyers and staff across Middle East offices with complex research requirements

• Provide subject-matter expertise for selected practice areas as required

• Stay current with developments in legal, business, and competitive intelligence research

Strategy, Technology & Innovation:

• Evaluate and promote innovative research tools, analytics platforms, and hybrid legal workflows

• Collaborate on research technology pilots and KM initiatives, providing detailed feedback

• Support the firm’s innovation strategy through research analytics and advanced research solutions

Operations & Vendor Management:

• Liaise with regional vendors and support contract renewals and new resource acquisitions

• Manage research collections, budgets, and office-specific resource development

• Review and approve invoices in line with departmental budgets

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs

Leadership & Engagement:

• Establish clear service expectations with stakeholders

• Conduct research orientations for new and lateral lawyers and staff

• Participate actively in departmental meetings, projects, and firm-wide initiatives

• Ensure research spaces, collections, and collaboration areas are well maintained

Systems & Workflow:

• Utilise research workflow software to manage requests and administrative tasks

• Use the Integrated Library System (ILS) as required

Candidate Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree (or local equivalent) in Information Science or Library Science
  OR

• 5–7 years of relevant professional research services experience

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered

Core Competencies:

• Fluency in Arabic and English (written and spoken)

• Strong leadership, people management, and supervisory skills

• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and customer service skills

• Strategic thinking with a proactive, self-starter mindset

• Strong project management, organisational, and planning abilities

• Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to change

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Technical & Research Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)

• Advanced experience with legal research platforms including:

  • Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law, VitalLaw

  • Litigation and transactional analytics tools (e.g. Lex Machina)

  • Regional and industry-specific research databases

About the Company

RecruitME is a specialist recruitment consultancy supporting Dubai and regional multinational organisations with high-calibre business support talent. With consultants drawn from professional corporate backgrounds, RecruitME offers an insider perspective on client needs and recruitment best practice, delivering a streamlined and highly personalised hiring experience.