Senior Specialist, Office of the Chair

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 Senior Specialist, Office of the Chair (“Senior Specialist”) works with the Chief of Staff and Manager to facilitate multiple partnership initiatives and programs on a firmwide basis.  This position will handle highly sensitive information and work with attorneys at every level within the Firm.

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

Partner Review: The Senior Specialist oversees the following for the attorney reviews & compensation:

• Facilitate the annual Share Partner (“SP”), Income Partner (“IP”) and Of Counsel (“OC”) review processes.  This includes maintaining electronic partner review files on the DMS including tracking offer letters, special compensation, promissory notes and secondments.  The Senior Specialist also prepares data reports and other items for the review process, including tracking of outplaced IPs and separation agreements.
• Ensure compensation is correctly entered into the Firm’s HR system for all partners and Of Counsels.
• Assist in the preparation of year-end compensation letters.

Partner Data Analytics:

• Run ad hoc queries and work seamlessly between the partner HR system and Microsoft Excel to ensure data is captured correctly, and reported as necessary to the top levels of Firm management.

Partner HR and On-/Off-Boarding: The Senior Specialist works with the Manager to oversee the following in connection with onboarding/off boarding:

• Draft offer letters for lateral candidates and obtain approval/sign-off from the Firm’s general counsel before sending to the Firm Committee for approval, input lateral hire into the partner onboarding site, draft partnership admittance letters and track/obtain HR/Recruiting new hire paperwork.
• Run traps for departing partners to ensure clearance prior to waiver of notice period, prepare departure memos, send departure notices and track/obtain departure paperwork.
• The Senior Specialist reviews internal personnel notices pertaining to SPs, IPs or OCs and makes any necessary updates in response to those notices.  The Senior Specialist will also work with the local Attorney Professional Development teams to ensure any necessary updates are made for SPs, IPs or OCs within their systems.

Firm Attorney Committees: The Senior Specialist works with the Manager on the following activities for various committees:

• Assist with preparation and distribution of agendas, including electronic and hardcopy versions
• Update committee minutes
• Assist with all aspects of planning and execution of leadership meetings

Other Functions:

• Any other functions/duties as assigned by management

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills:

Candidate would ideally have a Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of executive-level working experience, or a minimum of at least 5 years of experience working with executives and/or partners.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated skill levels in:

• Project Management - Ability to plan, promote and deliver outcomes that are timely, professional and measurable.
• Analytics and Problem Solving - Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with strong skills in Excel, analytics and analysis, written/verbal communication, organizational ability, and prioritization.
• Written Communication - Ability to draft complex communications that are succinct, clear and error-free.
• Interpersonal Skills - Ability to maintain confidentiality and contribute to building a positive work environment while exhibiting sound and accurate judgment.

Technologies/Software:

• Must be proficient in all programs within MS Office; must possess advanced Excel skills.

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."

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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