Business Continuity Specialist I

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 Business Continuity (BC) Specialist I supports the implementation and development of a comprehensive business continuity strategy and programs, plans, and toolsets that support response, develop resiliency, and enable recovery from events that disrupt business operations. Uses the established framework and methodology to manage all business continuity life cycle activities, including risk assessment, business impact analysis, strategy development, implementation, testing and review, plan maintenance and updates. Coordinates the periodic review, validation, and workflow testing of documented business continuity plans. Participates in organization-wide training and communications. Supports internal audits and regulatory exams of compliance with required regulations.

Essential Functions:

• Supports the management and delivery of the program that addresses business recovery and emergency response management.
• Maintain the planning, governance, implementation, maintenance, and execution of Business Continuity components.
• Work with critical process leaders to ensure that policies, plans, procedures, and strategies effectively provide the recovery framework for restoration of critical processes that meet or exceed business demand.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of comprehensive Business Impact Analyses (BIA), Risk Assessments, Change Management, and Audit Management program components.
• Provide input and integrate policies, guidelines, and controls to govern program effectiveness and alignment with industry best practices.
• Participate and complete Risk Assessments to identify inadequate strategies and concerns with associated remediation tactics for project sponsors.
• Facilitate the completion of Business Impact Analysis through survey development, roundtable discussions and best practice methodology reporting.
• Ensure appropriate plans, procedures and supplemental documentation is properly maintained and readily available.
• Plan and schedule all Business Continuity exercises.
• Coordinate ongoing Business Continuity awareness and training sessions that reinforce familiarity with roles/responsibilities and plan procedures.
• Analyze weekly and monthly metrics, benchmark milestones, and program progress to the Business Continuity sponsors and leadership.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, or similar field required.
• Minimum of 2 years practical experience in Business Continuity regarding the development of plans, procedures, strategies, risk assessments, business impact analysis, audit reviews, and exercise facilitation is required.
• Experience in Business Resumption Planning, Crisis Management Planning, Incident Response Planning, Disaster Recovery Planning, Plan Exercising/Testing, Conducting BIAs.
• Experience in performing BC audits or in managing and coordinating the response to a major, unplanned disruptive event that required activation of the BC/DR/Incident or Crisis Management Plans. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• Proven competency in the timely management and execution of large projects.
• Administrator level skill with Emergency Notification Systems and similar planning applications.
• Good strategic, problem solving, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills; presentation, verbal and written.
• Ability to collaborate with others to develop an emergency plan.
• Strong knowledge of technology and business concepts, life cycles and processes.
• Hands-on experience implementing business continuity management software is a plus.

Certificates, Licensures, Registrations

• Relevant Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, Risk or Audit certifications 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

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