HR Operations Analyst II

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

This position is assigned to the HR Operations department, whose goal is to support the efficient operation of the Firm’s Human Resource function, by effectively managing systems, data, and information processes.

The HR Operations department is primarily responsible for accurate HR and Benefit-related data entry into the Firm’s Core HCM system (PeopleSoft), providing seamless customer service through the use of standard email response templates, ensuring that HR data is regularly audited and reliable, maintaining and training on an HR Business Glossary of Terms, and understanding and updating HR Data lineage.

The HR Operations team is responsible for understanding the data needs of our upstream and downstream consumers, responding to report requests for HR Data, and training staff to report on HR Data using the Firm’s HR System.

The HR Operations team is also responsible for leading and participating in all HR data-related initiatives such as new system implementations and upgrades that dovetail with HR data, system enhancements and bug fixes, and any other business process change involving the Human Resource function.  This includes leading change management efforts through the lens of the end-user, to drive adoption and improve the end-user’s experience with HR software.

The HR Operations department is seeking a Specialist/Analyst to support the team’s Management with planning and executing on department programs, as assigned, including and especially the implementation of new initiative and enhancement projects.  Projects can be limited in scope such as targeted data clean-up in one field, or broader in scope such as fit-gap analysis and implementing HR process redesign.

The Specialist/Analyst role is a broad role that supports the entire team’s efforts and is responsible for creating reliable and repeatable business processes that largely revolve around HR data, or data-related business processes or systems. 

The Specialist/Analyst role requires a results-driven professional who is highly organized and can effectively communicate with all levels of the organization. The role is expected to operate with efficiency, enthusiasm and encourage positive adoption of change.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Identify and operationalize opportunities for improvement on behalf of the team, all while maintaining an attitude of “no task is too small and no project too big”.  Includes creating PowerPoint presentations and step-by-step process documentation.
• Participate in data security efforts including consulting on enhanced roles and access to HR data, as well as train users on the Firm’s HR system screens and reporting functionality.  Includes participating in efforts to educate downstream users of HR data on data sensitivity categories.
• Respond to report requests for HR data, consult on the Firm’s HR data used within Business Intelligence tools such as PowerBI, Tableau, and/or Qliq, as well as be able to create new HR metrics and Analytics using Excel and PowerBI.
• Participate in HR system enhancement and bug/fix projects.
• Serve as the primary lead for all new Technology roadmap projects; be the voice of the team while representing Human Resources and relay project activities to Management.  Provide requirements and assist with testing all assigned projects.  Use project management skills when managing projects including creating and updating project-related documentation. 
• Reconcile HR data against the Firm’s Payroll data and other sources, to confirm the accuracy and trustworthiness of the Firm’s HR data. 
• Assist the team’s Assistants/Coordinators with data entry during key cyclical heavy workload periods.
• Foster excellent cross-functional relationships with all HR and Payroll application departments including the Firm’s HRIS Analysts, HR Business Partners, Local-Office HR Staff, Benefits and Wellbeing, Compensation, Employee Relations, Staff and Legal Recruiting Talent Acquisition (Recruiting), and Time and Absence.

The ideal candidate will possess the following key competencies:

• Results-driven, based on strategy and direction set by management
• Self-managing: ability to set and prioritize goals and be responsible for staying focused in order to accomplish objectives
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a high-pressure environment
• Ability to meet deadlines for project assigned projects
• Accountable for personal and team performance
• Functional knowledge of the Human Resources discipline and applicable laws and regulations around data and data privacy
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and customer service skills, even under rapidly shifting circumstances
• Strong attention to detail
• Project management skills (particularly with respect to organization, planning, and time management)
• Demonstrated ability to identify the root cause(s) of problems/inefficiencies in business processes
• Ability to present data in a logical, concise manner
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality at all times
• Ability to work effectively with attorneys and all levels of management

Qualifications & Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in or equivalent experience in a related field and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in Human Resources required.  Proficiency with MS Office, particularly Excel, is also required.  Experience in a law firm or professional services environment preferred.  The Specialist/Analyst must have excellent judgment; exceptional problem-solving skills; superior oral, written and interpersonal communication skills; and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. In addition, the successful candidate will be self-motivated, organized, and able to multi-task and effectively prioritize competing demands on his or her time and attention. 

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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