AddressAbout Kirkland & Ellis
At Kirkland & Ellis, we are united in our ambition and drive to move forward. We share core values that help us achieve excellence: collaboration, talent empowerment, service, inclusion, respect and gratitude. Our people are our greatest asset, and we invest in the brightest talent and encourage a diversity of perspectives and strengths to create dynamic teams that operate at the pinnacle of their field. Our talented professionals show up every day knowing they will engage in meaningful work, continuous learning and professional development.
As one of the world’s leading law firms, we serve a broad range of clients with market-leading practices in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. We handle the most complicated and sophisticated legal matters because we don’t just meet industry standards, we create them. We bring innovation and entrepreneurialism to every engagement and, as a result, have long-standing client relationships with leading global corporations and financial sponsors. With 6,500 employees (including 3,500 lawyers) operating from 20 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.
Essential Job Functions
The Associate Director supports a wide range of strategic initiatives at the direction of the FW Director of Benefits and HR Operations. The scope of this role is global and includes support of the Firm’s retirement and health plans and programs, wellbeing and family office programs, HRIS, and HR operations (HR data management and governance).
The Associate Director is responsible for providing project management-level support and partnering with colleagues to drive initiatives to implementation. In addition to these responsibilities, they will work closely with FW Director to develop materials for presentations, organize and set agendas for management meetings, and support analysis and strategic planning for the budget. This role requires a results-driven professional who is highly organized, demonstrates keen attention to detail, is resourceful, and builds and maintains effective working relationships across functions and offices. They will complete projects in a timely manner and with limited direction and will exercise exceptional judgment at all times. At times, they may act on behalf of the FW Director on various matters, including participating in meetings and responding to inquiries.
Essential Functions
- Project management responsibilities include: Planning, organizing, and executing projects; consistently tracking against requirements and timeline; comprehensive analysis of stakeholder impact; leading and/or supporting change management efforts including communications, documentation, reference guides, and trainings.
- Communicates with FW Director and project teams regarding the status of all ongoing projects, and escalates risks and issues to the attention of the FW Director.
- Collaborates with leaders in the global Benefits and HR Operations organization to evaluate structures and processes and remove or minimize barriers to operational effectiveness and efficiency.
- Understands integrations among HR applications and systems and develops working knowledge of use of HR data in downstream applications and systems.
- Relevant experience in a large law firm or professional services environment is preferred.
- The successful candidate will have excellent project management skills, sound judgment, strong verbal and written communication ability, a demonstrated commitment to customer service, and the proven ability to effectively influence individuals at all levels of the organization.
- Develop and/or lead change management efforts across all phases of projects and initiatives to drive the Firm’s culture of continuous improvement.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education, Work Experience, Skills
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) required.
- A minimum of ten (10) years professional services experience.
- Exceptional planning, organizational and Program Management capabilities; ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Meticulous attention to detail and organization.
- Demonstrated ability to engage, influence and collaborate successfully with people at all levels of an organization
- Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to turn data in to visual representations.
- Strong financial acumen, understanding of law firm environment a plus.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills. Solid influencing, negotiation and facilitation skills with the ability to foster and maintain collaborative relationships.
- Proven change management skills.
How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."
Equal Employment Opportunity
All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Closing Statement
The www.kirkland.com job postings and recruiting mailbox are for candidates only. If you are a recruiter, search firm or employment agency, and do not have a signed contract with Kirkland & Ellis LLP ("K&E") and have not been asked specifically to submit candidates, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate even if K&E hires the candidate. Direct contact with K&E employees in an attempt to present candidates is inappropriate and will be a factor in determining any future professional relationship with the Firm. #LI-Hybrid #LI-NM1
