Research Manager

Chambers Limited; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insights organization in Birmingham seeks a Research Manager to oversee a team of up to 9 writers and editors. The role involves ensuring the quality and timely delivery of Insight reports, managing team performance, and fostering a culture of high achievement. Candidates should possess strong leadership and time management skills, alongside a thorough understanding of legal practice areas. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a dynamic team during a period of growth.

Qualifications

• Experience managing teams of writers and editors.
• Proven leadership qualities and communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to shifting priorities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee production and quality of Insight reports.
• Manage a team of up to 9 writers and editors.
• Ensure delivery targets are met.
• Conduct performance reviews and mentoring.

Skills

Leadership skills

Time management

Understanding of legal practice areas

Ability to work under pressure

Strong understanding of different cultures

Job description

Overview

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Insight as a Research Manager. 2025 promises to be an exciting year for Insight. With the opening of our Birmingham office and a series of significant upgrades and enhancements to our products planned, this is a great time for an ambitious and motivated candidate to step into a more senior role and help guide the team through a period of sustained change so we can continue to deliver high quality insights to our customers.

Reporting to the Director of Insight, you would be responsible for the day-to-day management of a team of up to 9 Insight writers and editors. This includes managing their training, pastoral care and production targets, so leadership qualities, excellent communication skills and the enthusiasm and resilience needed to manage a team under tight deadlines are essential. You would also be responsible for helping the Director of Insight and the Insight leadership team manage and monitor its workflow, ensuring reports are delivered on time to a high standard and that any customer queries or concerns are addressed appropriately. You will have excellent writing and editorial skills, pay close attention to details and deadlines and be able to keep sight of the big picture when making decisions over what to prioritise. You will also be flexible in the face of shifting priorities, collaborative during high-intensity periods and open to onboarding, driving and managing change. To ensure that Insight’s leadership team continues to benefit from a range of experience and expertise, we welcome applications from all parts of the business.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• You will have responsibility for helping ensure that Insight’s delivery targets are met and that the product meets our customer’s high standards.
• Overseeing the production of Insight reports from writing through to delivery
• Editing Insight reports
• Ensuring the high quality of all Insight reports
• Monitoring the Insight workflow and responding to unforeseen pressures and bottlenecks
• Liaising with sales and customer success to ensure the product accommodates the specific needs and requests of the client by responding to queries and heading off other delivery issues.
• Keeping on top of updates and developments in the legal market
• Working actively to implement and promote the D&I initiatives of the company
• You will be the line manager of a team of up to 9 researchers
• Managing a team of your own and maintaining an atmosphere of ambitious, high achievement throughout the team
• Training and monitoring of new starters
• Assisting team members with successfully adopting enhancements to the writing process
• Taking an active role in career-long training and development of team members, monitoring and developing of team performance, and support and mentoring of those who aim to progress.
• Conducting performance reviews twice a year
• Addressing performance concerns together with the Director of Insight and where necessary the People team
• You will proactively communicate and collaborate with a high number of teams in the company on various tasks, including:
• Liaising with sales and customer success to ensure the product accommodates the specific needs and requests of the client by responding to queries and heading off other delivery issues.
• Engaging with Product team to ensure new changes to process and product that are introduced are appropriate and effective.
• Conversing with People team on any performance-related issues that arise.
• Working with Research to confirm information necessary for writing reports and to ensure ranking notes match Insight requirements.

Skills and Experience

• Thorough understanding of common legal practice areas
• Good leadership skills
• Strong understanding of different cultures
• Excellent time management skills and ability to work under pressure

Person Specification

Reporting to the Director of Insight, you would be responsible for the day-to-day management of a team of up to 9 Insight writers and editors. This includes managing their training, pastoral care and production targets, so leadership qualities, excellent communication skills and the enthusiasm and resilience needed to manage a team under tight deadlines are essential. You would also be responsible for helping the Director of Insight and the Insight leadership team manage and monitor its workflow, ensuring reports are delivered on time to a high standard and that any customer queries or concerns are addressed appropriately. You will have excellent writing and editorial skills, pay close attention to details and deadlines and be able to keep sight of the big picture when making decisions over what to prioritise. You will also be flexible in the face of shifting priorities, collaborative during high-intensity periods and open to onboarding, driving and managing change. To ensure that Insight’s leadership team continues to benefit from a range of experience and expertise, we welcome applications from all parts of the business.