Business Development Coordinator (Events)

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

We are looking for an organized Event Coordinator to join Kirkland & Ellis’ West Coast Business Development (BD) function.  The position is based in Kirkland’s Los Angeles office and travel to both our Downtown Los Angeles and Century City locations is required. As the Coordinator you will support Kirkland’s extensive events and corporate hospitality offerings and assist with the planning and execution of receptions, dinners, industry conferences, and corporate hospitality events. The role will involve working with suppliers, the partnership and supporting the senior members of the team on both small and large-scale events.

As an experienced and ambitious events support looking for the next step, and with demonstratable prior experience, you will thrive on creating engaging and memorable experiences for clients of the Firm, ensuring each event solidifies relationships with our predominantly private equity client base, while supporting and enhancing our market-leading brand. We welcome and encourage fresh ideas and value exceptionally strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail to help take our events offering to the next level.

You will support events from inquiry to completion, working with the team to ensure systems, policies and procedures are adhered to, tracked and reconciled. You will actively contribute ideas and provide a superior service to attorneys and guests alike. You will work with a list of suppliers known to Kirkland and proactively monitor new and exciting event opportunities as they arise. You will build relationships with the partners and their respective practice groups such that you can support the team in proactively identifying opportunities as they arise and ensure Kirkland receives the best options for each event.

You will closely communicate and collaborate daily with approximately 150 diverse problem-solvers and advisers dedicated to the broader BD, marketing and communications efforts of the Firm. Kirkland’s BD team provides seamless service to our attorneys with a focus on quality, innovation and responsiveness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented and changed as necessary.)

• Assist in the creation, planning, execution and delivery of smaller scale client hospitality / ticketed events, ensuring all bookings are aligned and consistent with the Firm’s brand.
• Management of smaller-scale client dinners, drinks receptions and seminars, working with internal and external stakeholders to execute premium events from inquiry to implementation.
• Research and monitor the corporate hospitality and events market including new events / suppliers / venues to ensure our internal clients have access to the most innovative and tailored options at competitive prices.
• Lead on the implementation of process to develop and enhance business and communications tools such as newsletters, etc. Ensure timely and appropriate internal communication of upcoming events.
• Work with our key suppliers and network and / or source new suppliers to provide the most up-to-date, cost-effective client hospitality / event solutions. Proactively identifying opportunities by partner and practice.
• Support on larger set piece events, working with the wider team to help execute events.
• Be responsible for sourcing events swag, client gift and give away inventory.
• Enjoy the administrative side of events, including the creation and coordination of all event materials including signage, name badges and place cards and maintaining and updating the firm’s global event schedules on behalf of the team.
• Execute events following all required steps:  submitting budget approval; add event to Kirkland’s Client Engagement Database; create and maintain DMS files; work with Kirkland’s branding and creative department; create event invitation list in Kirkland’s CRM, and send out event campaigns and follow-on event communications.
• Assist in the creation, planning, execution and delivery of onsite client meetings/events ensuring all bookings are aligned and consistent with the Firm’s brand.
• Thrive under pressure and most importantly, have laser-sharp focus on delivery of not only a great product, but on the administration behind every event, from start to finish.
• Overall, you will have a desire to get involved with all aspects of the events process, learning from an excellent and highly supportive team, in a structure which values hard work and dedication.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

Required

• Demonstrated ability to assist in the planning and execution of a wide variety of events and to make the next step in your career in the events industry.
• Genuine passion for delivering exceptional events to the most senior Kirkland stakeholders.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with high-level attorneys, clients, staff and guests of the Firm.
• Ability to take initiative, adapt to change and work independently in high-pressure, deadline-driven scenarios while exercising sound judgment and making intelligent, informed decisions.
• Excellent client service orientation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with various levels of personnel, internally and externally, including existing and potential clients.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and execute a diverse range of tasks with meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to handle ambiguity, weigh options and find ways to move initiatives forward to meet critical deadlines and produce results.
• Collaborative approach to working within a team, including the ability to take direction and implement feedback.
• Meticulous data entry, writing and proofing skills and a general facility for learning new software.
• Ability to thrive in an electronic environment and utilize technology to deliver information. Proficiency in methods of information acquisition, including the use of online information databases, tools and resources.

• Solid command of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint). PowerPoint and Excel experts are highly desired.
• CRM/Database Software (e.g., InterAction, Salesforce, etc.)
• Working knowledge of Interaction and Cvent programs are a plus.

Preferred

• Proven events experience in a law firm or professional services environment, or in ticketed events for a large organization.
• Undergraduate degree preferred but not mandatory.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This job operates in a professional office environment. 
• This role offers a hybrid work arrangement.
• Evening and weekend work may be required.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP.  To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

For applicants who are based in Los Angeles, visit the following link for pay range information: http://staffjobsus.kirkland.com/pages/LAJOBID7619

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.