Director of Physical Security

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 Director of Physical Security will build out the physical security strategic initiatives and governance across the Firm.  This individual provides strategic direction, ability to communicate and lead influential conversations with Firm leadership, and has a demonstrated ability to build a full scope enterprise security risk management program for a global Firm.  The role will effectively communicate to attorneys, senior management, and cross-functional teams to gain the necessary support and commitment to the further development of initiatives. 

Ideal candidate would understand how to be a builder of solutions in a gray environment.  They will share the Firm’s core values of striving for operational excellence, promoting collaboration and a “One Firm” approach, harnessing our drive and energy, and empowering leaders with best in class learning and development opportunities.

Responsibilities include:

• Setting a vision for physical security and enterprise security risk management frameworks.  Elevate matters of security risk and vulnerabilities to the appropriate levels to educate and gain stakeholder buy-in.
  • Lead the FW physical security team of ten individuals and drive the realization of innovative, value-added services within the department by holding team members accountable for delivering solutions and ideas that align with business goals.
  • Ensure consistent risk management philosophy across all offices while ensuring that risk is managed consistently in accordance with duty of care principles.
  • Conceptualizes strategic initiatives that align with and uphold values of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. 
• Individual must be a seasoned crisis management executive with experience managing emergencies and mitigating threats against the Firm.  Ideal candidate brings a calm demeanor to any situation.
• Create close partnerships with relevant stakeholders including Senior Staff, Real Estate, IT, HR, and Risk Management.  Also collaborate with property management, security vendors, and local teams to create a common understanding of the risk landscape in which Kirkland & Ellis LLP operates.

• Develop model for scaling the physical security team, which includes identifying roles, responsibilities, professional development plans, training opportunities, etc.
• Develop and/or lead change management efforts across all phases of projects and initiatives to drive the Firm’s culture of continuous improvement.
• Manage the budget involving physical security initiatives and activities to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Further develop physical security policies that align with organizational initiatives and are consistent across all offices.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

• The selected candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Criminal Justice Administration or Business Administration or the minimum of 15 years of equivalent experience in a corporate or professional services environment.
• Knowledge of physical security controls, framework, and technology capabilities is required.
• Outstanding communication (verbal, written, visualization and listening) skills.  Communicates business critical information to key stakeholders with precision and conviction.
• Demonstrates commitment and resourcefulness in ensuring physical security team is producing results that align with business objectives.
• Understands customer perspective to aid in the development and delivery of quality solutions.
• The ability to research and solve complex security challenges.
• Proven change management skills.
• Creative problem solving, analytical, industry knowledge, project management and communication.
• Promotes themself and the Firm through professional networking.

Certificates, Licensures, Registrations

• Certified ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP) or Physical Security Professional (PSP) are preferred.

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

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-AR1