Executive Assistant

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 3,500+ lawyers) operating from 19 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 San Francisco office is seeking an Executive Assistant (EA) to provide administrative support for the Senior Director of Administration. This is a highly visible position requiring well-developed organizational and communication skills. Acting on their own initiative and direction, the EA will handle a wide range of administrative and executive support related tasks and interact with personnel at all levels in a fast-paced environment, sometimes under pressure. With great attention to detail, the EA will need to be flexible, proactive and efficient, while exhibiting a high level of professionalism and confidentiality in this role.

Essential Functions: (This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)

• Manage the Senior Director’s calendar and collaborate effectively with others to coordinate scheduling needs; plan and schedule monthly and weekly meetings along with any necessary logistics while effectively communicating changes
• Research, prioritize, and follow up on incoming requests and issues addressed to the Senior Director, including those of sensitive or confidential nature; determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response
• Coordinate domestic and international travel and reservations in accordance with the Firm’s Travel Policy (e.g., air, hotel, ground transportation)
• Obtain itemized receipts for events, dinners and/or travel, prepare expense reports and submit in a timely manner
• Compose, type and proofread correspondence, memos, and emails as requested
• Coordinate and compile meeting materials for various Committee and Leadership meetings
• Coordinate with Human Resources, Operations, Practice Services and Guest Services as it relates to new hires, practice assistant assignments, in-office moves and visitors and provide Director with appropriate reports, if applicable.
• Assist with on-going special projects; work associated with special projects will vary and will be assigned as the individual demonstrates skills to handle additional responsibilities
• Handle clerical duties of answering incoming calls as requested, filing, copying, scanning and opening mail.
• Other duties and projects as assigned by the Senior Director.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills:

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated work experience supporting a Senior Director level executive in a professional services organization. The EA should be able to anticipate needs and exercise sound judgment, tact, diplomacy, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions. This individual must possess the aptitude to work independently without significant oversight or instruction to achieve results with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. The ideal candidate must exercise tact and discretion given the sensitive and confidential nature of information they will be privy to.  The ability to establish rapport quickly with others and maintain a professional demeanor while under pressure is critical.

A minimum of 5 years work experience, in a professional services firm supporting a senior level executive in a fast-paced environment is required.  A Bachelor of Arts/Science (BA/BS) or equivalent experience is expected. This individual must have excellent communication skills; a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; and adapt easily to new software and other web-based tools used for time and expense reporting.  The individual should be flexible in order to handle time sensitive requests, including needs outside of standard working hours from time to time. Lastly, the individual should desire to learn new skills and to expand their job skills over time.  Previous experience using SharePoint and Visio a plus.

Technologies/Software:

• Typing skills of 75-80 wpm, proficient working within MS Office with advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills are required.
• Experience using Visio a plus
• Experience using SharePoint a plus
• Experience with surveys, specifically Novi a plus

Certificates, Licensures, Registrations:

• Notary license is a plus.

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 Bay Area, visit the following link for pay range information: http://staffjobsus.kirkland.com/pages/BAJOBID7082

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-LW2 #LI-Hybrid