Travel & Trials Event Specialist

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 Travel, Meetings and Events, Travel and Trial Specialist will assist TME’s Director to oversee the Firm’s travel vendors/resources and manage trial hotel contracts.  The Firm’s travel program is all encompassing involving an international preferred hotel program (100+ hotels), airlines, TMCs, rental and black car services plus ancillary resources such as Visa expeditors.  This position will assist in managing these relationships, setting up monthly meetings, keeping comprehensive meeting minutes, updating our internal SharePoint page and mitigating issues, assisting PAs and attorneys when necessary.  This position will manage the annual preferred hotel bidding process and develop an updated brochure.  For trials, the Specialist will work with paralegals to source and contract trial room blocks and space utilizing Kirkland’s standard hotel contract.

This position requires the ability to work independently, and to follow-up with staff and attorneys as needed.

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

• Establishment and promotion of strong working relationships with external contacts and suppliers to ensure the Firm’s needs are understood and met.
• Creation and dissemination of travel resource communication to the Firm.
• Manage and effectively communicate Firm’s travel needs to vendors/resources. 
• Work on developing internal processes to enhance travel experience for attorneys and staff.
• Develop relationships with paralegals to assist with their trial related travel needs including contracting hotel guest room and meeting space.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in travel or hotel sales and a Bachelor’s Degree.
• CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) or CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional) designation is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required, including the ability to identify and manage risks, as well as being able to manage conflict while demonstrating diplomacy and credibility. Capable of working under pressure with a positive attitude and calm demeanor.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to coordinator projects with various stakeholders; strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Strong attention to detail is required.
• Involvement with the hotel, hospitality, and travel industries through various associations, including the knowledge of meeting management, hotel operations, and travel programs.

Technologies/Software:

• MS Office
• CVENT

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

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 New York City, visit the following link for pay range information: http://staffjobsus.kirkland.com/pages/JOBID7078

For applicants who are based in Los Angeles, visit the following link for pay range information: http://staffjobsus.kirkland.com/pages/LAJOBID7078

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-LW1