Associate Director, Information Governance Projects and Technologies

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 Associate Director, Information Governance (IG) Projects and Technologies leads IG projects and services related to the management and protection of client and firm data, data protection, technology risk assessments, migration of software applications to the cloud, internal use of artificial intelligence software, and other process automation and application of technology controls to help ensure compliance with Kirkland policies as they relate to client and firm information and data.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Advises firm personnel at all levels and proposes solutions for information governance process and/or information technology issues.
• Provides leadership and direction on the use of Information Governance-related technologies.
• Leads initiatives related to project management; the design and implementation of technologies to support data protection policies relating to user activity and analysis; technology risk assessments for new/upgraded software applications; IG data and process analysis, tracking and reporting; electronic signature controls and compliance, and the application of Artificial Intelligence solutions to automate and/or augment IG processes.
• Works with the IG Operations, Data Protection, and Technology Services leads to identify business requirements, and redesign and automate IG processes.
• Provides backup support and assistance to the Director of IG Strategy and Projects.
• Communicates the IG vision and IG guiding principles throughout in a variety of forums, e.g. 1:1 meetings, administrative department meetings, practice group meetings, partner meetings.
• Prepares, reviews and/or presents project plans, status reports, and other information in a variety of formats and styles appropriate to the audience.
• Advises attorneys and other internal personnel on their operational and compliance responsibilities relating to the lifecycle management of client and administrative records and data. 
• Creates and maintains records documenting management and design decisions, IG process transformation business requirements and IG process workflows.
• Leads projects relating to the implementation of email retention policies, secure file transfer and release, preservation of files and data, user activity controls and exception management, data privacy, internal data collections, departing personnel, file classification and indexing, file search and retrieval, and records retention review.
• Provide incident response and data breach response leadership and support.
• Mentors emerging IG leaders
• Skillfully fosters a culture of brainstorming, and drives innovation and operational excellence using leading technologies and IG-related processes while balancing risks related to the use of technology.
• Liaises with other Risk Management, Security Governance and Technology Services leadership and team members as needed to accomplish goals and successfully manage IG-related projects and services. Develops project management plans and tracks actual to planned progress toward project milestones. Establishes productivity goals and reports metrics and status of work in progress.

Qualifications & Requirements

Candidates with an educational background from a wide variety of disciplines including information technology, legal, compliance, and/or information management will be considered. A minimum of 7 years’ experience and demonstrated ability to lead technology and process projects and services in a law firm or professional services organization is required, and an advanced degree in information management, computer science or law is preferred. Advanced aptitude in information technologies, workflow applications, business process redesign, critical thinking, change management, and project management are required. Advanced proficiency in MS Office applications, including MS Exchange and MS Excel, is required. Knowledge of iManage WorkSite, Intapp product suite, and DocuSign is a plus.

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-NM1