New 
Director of Research & Knowledge Management
 Fredrikson & Byron | |
life insurance, parental leave, 401(k), retirement plan
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 United States, Minnesota, Minneapolis | |
| 200 South 6th Street (Show on map) | |
 Jul 18, 2025 | |
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Who We Are:
Fredrikson & Byron is the premier Midwest-based law firm working collaboratively to help businesses achieve their goals regionally, nationally, and globally. Overview: The Director of Research & Knowledge Management advances the firm's innovation strategy by integrating legal research, knowledge management and legal technology to enhance client service, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage. This role oversees the firm's library and research services and drives the adoption of legal technologies, including generative AI. Key Responsibilities Include: Legal Research, Business Intelligence and Research Portfolio Management: * Oversee the delivery of high-quality legal and business research to support attorneys and departments across all areas of law. * Optimize the firm's investment in research resources through strategic collection development and vendor negotiations. * Prepare and maintain an annual budget for research resources and legal technology tools. Oversee and direct vendor contract negotiations to optimize value and terms for such resources and tools. * Provide ongoing support for research and other tools where the Research & Knowledge Management (RKM) team is the business owner, including managing user access, managing the vendor relationship, facilitating user training, and gathering metrics to promote user adoption and track ROI. Technology, Knowledge Management, and Legal AI Innovation: * Lead the strategic implementation of legal-focused generative AI tools, document automation, and other emerging technologies in close collaboration with the Chief Legal Operations Officer, ensuring alignment with firm priorities and responsible innovation practices. * Collaborate with legal teams to identify innovation opportunities that enhance client service delivery, transparency and value. * Evaluate and optimize legal technology platforms-including intranet, extranet, and document automation tools-to improve efficiency, collaboration, and client service delivery. * Stay at the forefront of legal tech trends and AI developments, providing thought leadership and practical guidance on their application within the firm. * Ensure that all legal technology and knowledge initiatives are secure, scalable, and integrated into the firm's broader innovation and operational strategies. * Oversee the development, implementation, and deployment of strategic enterprise data projects which may cross administrative functions and require close collaboration with business owners and colleagues across the Firm. * Lead change management efforts to support the adoption of new technologies, processes, and ways of working, ensuring alignment, communication, and engagement across the firm. * Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness and impact of innovation initiatives. Team Leadership & Collaboration: * Lead a multidisciplinary team including librarians and legal technologists. * Foster cross-functional collaboration with IT, Marketing, Human Resource, Finance, and legal departments. * Model a collaborative, trust-based leadership style that empowers team members, avoids micromanagement, and encourages autonomy, accountability and initiative. * Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement, encouraging collaboration and creative problem-solving. * Lead with empathy, clarity, and consistence, creating an environment where people feel respected, supported, and motivated to contribute their best work. Our Ideal Candidates Will Have: * 7+ years of experience in legal innovation, legal operations, legal research, knowledge management or related roles within a law firm or professional services environment. * Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional teams, strategic initiatives, budgets and technology rollouts. * Strong understanding of legal research tools, knowledge systems, and emerging legal technologies. * Experience with project management, business analysis, and process improvement methodologies. * Familiarity with generative AI applications in legal practice. * Excellent communication, collaboration, and change management skills. Benefits: Our comprehensive benefits options include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability, employee resource benefits (inclusive of counseling, coaching, and caregiving guidance), paid parental leave, parenting classes, pre-tax parking and transportation options, and much more! Our retirement plan includes financial planning, Social Security/Medicare planning, 401k/Roth investment options, and a firm-paid profit-sharing contribution. Benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions. The salary range for this position varies by geographical market. In Minneapolis, the estimated starting annual pay range is $170,000 - $190,000/year. The compensation offered will be dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, education, professional background, overall qualifications, and geographic market location. Applying For This Position: Applications will only be accepted online at https://www.fredlaw.com/careers-meet-us. Applicants will be asked to submit a cover letter and resume. For assistance with the application process or for accommodations, please contact recruiting@fredlaw.com. About Fredrikson: With a reputation as the firm "where law and business meet," our attorneys and staff bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to operate as business advisors, strategic partners, and legal counselors to our clients. To best serve our clients, we provide innovative solutions to legal needs while reflecting inclusion and diversity as core values. We offer highly competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits in a collaborative work environment. The firm's 400+ attorneys serve clients through our ten locations around the world: Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Mankato, MN; Bismarck and Fargo, ND; Ames and Des Moines, IA; Madison, WI; Saltillo, Mexico; and Shanghai, China. Visit www.fredlaw.com for more information. Fredrikson is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Fredrikson does not discriminate in its recruiting, hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military or veteran status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, and any other characteristics protected by applicable local, state, and/or federal laws. We are not accepting search firm submissions for this position; please apply directly through our careers page. | |