Senior Benefits Analyst

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 alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; 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 20 offices across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

The Senior Benefits Analyst will work in conjunction with the Benefits Management team and Firmwide Director of Benefits to support the efficient administration of the Firm’s benefit plans and programs, including health and welfare benefits, retirement benefits, and wellbeing programming. This position requires a background in systems, financial analysis, or similar. Responsibilities will include analyzing benefit plan utilization, managing complex benefits administration, developing functional specifications for benefits systems, developing test plans and performing systems testing, developing functional specifications, creating specialized reports and analyses, implementing and auditing benefit administration processes and procedures, and utilizing data to identify opportunities and/or areas for enhancement. The Senior Benefits Analyst will have an active role in various department projects and initiatives.

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

1. Benefits Administration and Compliance

• Administer complex benefits programs, including group and partner life insurance and disability programs.
• Manage vendor and broker relationships to assure superior delivery of vendor services to the Firm and plan participants.
• Collaborate with internal HR and IT resources in the evaluation, development, and implementation of benefits modules and data integrations.
• Engage and take a leadership role in the benefits evaluation and implementation process, from analyzing new benefit offerings to vendor selection and contracting to benefit roll out and administration.
• Review and maintain internal process documents, making updates and recommendations for change, where appropriate.
• Develop and deliver presentations to department leadership on various benefits.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the Firm’s health and retirement plans and programs in order to ensure seamless service to Firm participants and support effective plan and program administration.

2. Project Management and Leadership

• Support Benefits Department initiatives by leading projects (or certain aspects of projects) in collaboration with internal and external resources, including vendor implementations/onboarding and file feed enhancements.
• Manage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve complex problems and assure superior delivery of service to the Firm and plan participants.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans and lead projects with management guidance.
• Ability to present information clearly and in a manner that is understandable to leadership and plan participants.
• Confidently embrace new challenges and take initiative in identifying and implementing process improvements.

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

• Assist with any other functions/duties/special projects as assigned by management.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical ability, strong project management and superior written and oral communication skills. They will also have a demonstrated history of creative problem-solving, be detail-oriented, and have the ability to work across all levels of management. The successful candidate will possess sound judgment and have the ability and desire to work in a fast-paced environment. A background in HR systems or financial analysis is strongly preferred. Bachelor's degree or equivalent and 5+ years of relevant experience required. Experience in a law or professional services firm is desirable. 

Technologies/Software

• Required
  • Advanced MS Excel skills
  • Proficiency in MS Office, including Outlook, Word, Access and PowerPoint
• Preferred
  • Experience with PeopleSoft or other HRMS
  • Proficiency with SQL or advanced PeopleSoft Query skills (or similar)

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-NK1 #LI-Hybrid