Associate Director of Data Architecture

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

Overseeing the development and implementation of Data Architecture function. In addition, this role, working alongside of Director of Enterprise Architecture, will work with senior leaders to develop and architect strategic initiatives that align with the organization's overall data objectives.  To be successful in this role, an Associate Director of Data Architecture should have strong leadership and communication skills, as well as a deep understanding of data related technology trends, information architecture and best practices and how to apply to business needs.  Additionally, this role should be able to think strategically and work collaboratively with other departments to achieve the organization's goals.

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

• Leading the development of an organization's data architecture, including develop the Target Data Architecture that enables the Business Architecture and the Architecture Vision, in a way that addresses the Statement of Architecture Work and stakeholder concerns
• Identify candidate Architecture Roadmap components based upon gaps between the Baseline and Target Data Architectures
• Ensuring that the enterprise data architectures are aligned with the organization's overall data goals and objectives.
• Developing and maintaining data models, standards, and guidelines to ensure that the organization's data technology is secure and compliant with industry standards.
• Overseeing the selection and implementation of technology solutions that meet the organization's needs.
• Identifying areas for solution, capability improvement and implementing strategies, roadmap to address them.
• Collaborating with stakeholders across the organization to identify and participate in prioritize initiatives.
• Staying up to date with emerging technology trends and developments and evaluating their potential impact on the organization.
• Develop and/or lead change management efforts across all phases of projects and initiatives to drive the Firm’s culture of continuous improvement
• Communicating technology target state, roadmap and development progress to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
• Work with project and product teams to realize implementation of models and architecture.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, data science, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in Enterprise Data Architecture function, preferred in a global capacity.
• Strong knowledge of architecture governance concepts, Data modeling & frameworks, canonical data model, and best practices.
• Experience developing and implementing architecture governance, guidelines, procedures, and standards.
• Excellent communication, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with business, IT cross-functional teams, and vendors.
• Experience leading a team of architects, technology owners, and technology subject matter experts.
• Experienced in implementation of technology and data to support common key business process/operations such as Accounting, HR, Marketing, etc,

Preferred:

• MBA degree
• Strong presentation skills
• Vendor management
• Work experience at a large professional services organization
• Perhaps something about:  unstructured data/content; AI tooling

Certificates, Licensures, Registrations

• Preferred: TOGAF certification
• Preferred: Any Azure Cloud Service Provider certification related to Data/Information capability

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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Talemetry Abbreviated Job Desc

Overseeing the development and implementation of Data Architecture function.