Associate Director, Information Governance (Operations)

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 management; restructurings; high-stakes litigation and trials; 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 3,000+ lawyers) operating from 18 offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

The Associate Director, Information Governance (IG) Operations plans, leads and executes IG operational processes and IG support services in all offices. As an information governance subject matter expert and seasoned personnel and project manager, the individual in this position drives results and achieves a measurable reduction of costs and risks associated with IG Operations. This role effectively coaches and empowers IG Operations team members to improve their critical thinking and decision making abilities, particularly as they relate to special circumstances that arise in the course of delivering operational support services, and ensures resources are appropriately assigned and meet the business demands of the firm.

Essential Job Functions:

IG Operations Leadership

• Ensure all IG Ops teams create and maintain records appropriate to the administration of IG core processes and projects.
• Facilitate creation of workflow and process documentation for all IG Operations processes, and presents final work product for Risk Management leadership approval.
• Coach and mentor IG personnel on the continual improvement of their technology skills, information governance subject matter skills,  and communication skills.
• Provide backup coverage for IG leadership team members.

Process Automation Project Management

• Liaise with Risk Management Systems team and Associate Director, IG Process Transformation to design, improve and/or redesign IG Operations processes
• Lead cross-functional and/or cross-office IG projects.
• Drafts, reviews and/or presents project plans, status reports, and other information in a variety of formats and styles appropriate to the audience.

Client File Releases

• Direct matter mobility team in all aspects of file releases.
• Ensure files are released in a timely manner and in accordance with client requests.
• Correspond with clients, partners and other law firms regarding file release requests.
• Appropriately escalate file release issues for senior management review.
• Drive the introduction of new technologies to reduce administrative overhead of attorneys and other legal staff involved in client file releases and automate file review.
• Drive process innovation by promoting new ideas and piloting innovative and risk-based approaches to client file collection, review and release.
• Leads collaborative efforts with other law firms to standardize the transfer of client data and files.

Client File and Data Intake

• Correspond with lateral hires regarding the firm’s client file intake policy and procedures.
• Liaise with IT to import incoming files into firm approved repositories following IG review and approval.
• Correspond with partners, legal recruiting personnel, and other law firms regarding the secure delivery of files, and any special requirements impacting the transfer, review and/or security of incoming files and/or data.
• Ensure IG Operations team review and import files of lateral hires in a timely manner and IG Operations team priorities align with the priorities communicated by the lateral hire.

Departing Personnel

• Lead IG Operations team in all aspects of departing personnel.
• Advise departing attorneys re the transfer and/or preservation of data and files and matter roles.
• Liaise with IG Data Protection team regarding system and process controls in place for departing personnel.

Records and Data Storage and Disposition - Legal and Administrative Records

• Eliminate offsite records storage, and advise office leads on the effective management of office file storage space.
• Work with administrative department functional leads and records liaisons to document business requirements, develop records retention schedules and
• Automate and recommend system enhancements relating to the records retention review process.
• Lead and review legal research to determine records retention requirements. Analyzes records retention and disposition recommendations from various legal and professional sources.
• Lead the assessment of new and existing firm approved records repositories.
• Manage offsite records storage vendor contract and service delivery in the Chicago office.
• Direct legacy data analysis, classification and disposition projects.

IG Operations Education and Consultation

• Ensure new hire attorneys and staff receive Information Governance orientation and understand firm policies relating to Information Governance.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of Information Governance Operations content on SharePoint sites.
• Consult and advise all personnel on their responsibilities relating to risk management, information governance, and records management.
• Provides leadership and direction on the use of Information Governance technologies.
• Communicates the IG vision and IG guiding principles in a variety of forums (1:1, administrative meetings, practice group meetings, and partner meetings).
• Provides advice and proposes solutions for complex and/or technical information governance and/or information technology issues.

Secure Destruction of Paper and Electronic Media

• Plan, implement and manage the delivery of shred and media destruction services in all offices.
• Manage secure destruction vendor contract.
• Oversee the delivery of secure paper and media destruction services in all offices and remote work locations.

Other

• Drafts and maintains Risk Management policies relating to Information Governance.

Qualifications & Requirements

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. A minimum of 7 years experience managing an Information Governance function or professional services team is required, and an advanced degree in information management, computer science or law is preferred. Advanced aptitude and interest in information technologies, critical thinking, innovation, change management and project management is a must. Working knowledge of iManage WorkSite and LegalKEY a plus. Proficiency in MS Office applications required.

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

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