Information Governance Manager

About 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 Information Governance (IG) Manager develops plans, sets goals, provides direction, and executes IG services, projects and initiatives with an overall goal to decrease risks and costs associated with Information Governance.

The individual in this position oversees daily work intake, assignment, quality review, and delivery of work product. Also advises Kirkland personnel on Information Governance best practices as they relate to preservation orders, destruction orders, data access, and user exception requests.

Responsibilities also include the analysis and design of automated Information Governance systems and processes; business requirements definition, storage and protection of electronic data, and Information Governance workflow and procedure development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages work assignments of IG team members responsible for preservation orders, destruction orders, emailbox access, client file releases, and user exception requests.
• Manages performance expectations of IG team members, evaluates performance, and provides feedback on an ongoing basis.
• Coaches and mentors IG team members to improve their performance.
• Fosters a risk management compliance culture. 
• Recommends changes to improve the effectiveness of the Information Governance program.
• Advises legal teams and project teams and proposes solutions for complex and/or technical Information Governance and/or information technology issues.
• Drafts, reviews and/or presents proposals, project plans, status reports, metrics, and other information in a format and style appropriate for the intended audience.
• Communicates the IG vision and IG guiding principles in a variety of forums (1:1, administrative meetings, practice group meetings, partner meetings, etc.).
• Ensures appropriate treatment of risks and escalation of risk issues.
• Communicates directly with senior management and members of the Office of the General Counsel and other partners; states areas of concern, addresses questions, and/or resolves outstanding issues with the appropriate parties.
• Maintains current and accurate recordkeeping of user and management requests and approvals, and business justifications for approved user exceptions.

Qualifications & Requirements

• This is an entry level manager position. Candidates must have 3 or more years of experience coordinating or supervising the work of others. This experience must include the intake and assignment of work, the review and approval of work product, delivering performance feedback, setting goals and objectives, and reporting metrics.
• Candidates with an educational background from a wide variety of disciplines including information technology, legal, compliance, information management, and/or records management will be considered. An undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution is required.
• 7+ years experience in a role relating to risk management, Information Governance, records management, information technology, data protection, and/or e-Discovery.
• Preference will be given to candidates with paralegal or law firm Information Governance experience. Preference will be given to candidates with experience implementing and/or using M365 and Microsoft Purview.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver clear, concise, and factually accurate written and oral communications appropriate for the intended audience.
• Proficiency in Document Management Systems (DMS), with preference given to candidates with a working knowledge of iManage Work in a legal setting, including matter workspace and document security.
• Working knowledge of MS Exchange and/or Capax Archive Solution (CAS) experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Visio).
• Advanced knowledge of Information Governance principles, practices and technologies and legal holds, destruction orders, and attorney professional responsibility requirements relating to legal client files.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The individual in this role operates in a professional office environment and a remote office environment. Must be available to work outside of standard work hours, as needed to meet business demands.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

For applicants who are based in the Bay Area, visit the following link for pay range information: https://staffjobsus.kirkland.com/pages/bajobid7706

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 DR1