Library & Research Executive in City of London

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Overview

The Withers Library and Knowledge Services team is an award‑winning, collaborative and high‑performing team of fourteen people worldwide. A new opportunity has arisen for a member of our seven‑person London‑based team. The role requires a strong team player who can work independently and build relationships with colleagues across the global firm.

Type

Permanent – Full Time

Location

London

Job Role

Library and Knowledge Services

Reports to

Library & Research Manager

What Are We Looking For?

The Library & Research Executive will support the team through a range of duties, including service delivery, resource management, administrative tasks, research and training, and knowledge management. Candidates should be adept at working across the firm, managing physical and digital resources, and providing exceptional client service.

Areas of Focus and Responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Attend practice group meetings to promote library services and build relationships.
• Build relationships with colleagues in other support departments.
• Liaise with LKS team members in other offices to share best practice and deliver a top‑quality service.
• Participate in and lead LKS team projects as required.

Managing Resources

• Order books for physical library collections in London, Geneva, and the BVI.
• Assist the Library and Research Advisor with subscription management, catalogue records, renewals, and invoicing.
• Help manage the budget for books, checking invoices against the Monthly Budget Holders’ Report.
• Process new book arrivals for London and overseas offices, including cataloguing and emailing teams.
• Maintain the London print library collection (shelving, circulating, weeding, relocating).
• Assist the London “catalogue super user” with wider cataloguing support.

Administrative Tasks

• Manage daily post, check loose‑leaf updates and journals.
• Oversee the filing procedure for loose‑leaf updates.
• Manage user accounts and password resets.
• Send and analyse monthly usage statistics for online resources.
• Handle leavers/joiners process for database accounts and library catalogue updates.

Research and Training

• Run monthly new joiners’ library induction sessions.
• Provide library induction for new joiners and trainees.
• Prepare administrative aspects of trainee seat rotations.
• Assist in current awareness service provision.
• Support lawyers with research enquiries as part of the London library enquiries team.
• Research and summarize information for Business Development and Senior Management teams.

Knowledge Management

• Update library pages on the firm’s intranet.
• Assist teams in other offices with their library and knowledge pages.
• Support the London LKS team with creating and maintaining pages on Within and maintaining standard email templates.

Additional tasks may be undertaken as required.

Technical Experience Required

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a law library.
• A qualification in Library or Information Science is essential.
• Proficiency with online resources (Westlaw, Practical Law, Lexis+, Lexis Newsdesk, PitchBook, Orbis, etc.).
• Basic familiarity with library catalogue administration (Soutron experience is a bonus).
• Experience in competitive intelligence research.

Skills and Attributes

• Highly PC literate with strong Word and Excel skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Can work independently and within a team, communicating with all seniority levels.
• Strong service orientation with commitment to outstanding customer service.
• Able to meet deadlines, manage multiple projects, and deliver under pressure.
• Initiative‑driven problem solver committed to seeing projects through to completion.

The Essentials

• Working hours 9:30 am – 5:30 pm with flexibility.
• Hybrid working policy: at least 3 days per week in the office.
• 4‑week probation period.
• 4‑week notice period.
• Flexible benefits package (pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on‑site café).

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration. For 125 years we have supported clients from governments and charities to financial institutions and families, helping shape the future with integrity and high performance. Withers is a global private client firm that values agility, collaboration, and strategy.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion. Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.