Hospitality Manager

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 Guest Services Hospitality Manager will report to the Associate Director of Guest Services and Hospitality and will be responsible for executing high-level meetings, events and including food service operations in our Conference Center, Staff & Attorney Floor Hubs, Café and Coffee Bar. The Guest Services Manager will work in close coordination with Guest Services Management, the Conference Center and Food Service teams to ensure the successful day to day operations for all meetings and events taking place in our conference, meeting, event and dining spaces. The Guest Services Manager will be expected to oversee all logistical details including: room scheduling, catering, support, technical and address service issues that may arise during daily operations, including, but not limited to, resolving room conflicts in scheduling, and ensuring the highest and most efficient use of the facility.  Additionally, this position will develop standard operating protocols for the Conference Center, Café and other event spaces and solicit and analyze customer satisfaction levels, present findings, and propose suggestions for improvement. 

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree along with a minimum of at least 5 years of event supervision and event planning experience, with a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory role; or equivalent combination of education and experience. The successful candidate will have proficient computer skills and knowledge of firm software including email, time and attendance and departmental software applications. The successful candidate will also have excellent customer service, communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills, the ability to interact effectively with all levels of management and staff, strong budgeting, analytical and problem solving skills, the ability to organize, prioritize multiple assignments and use judgment and initiative to accomplish results in an accurate and timely manner. 

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

• Ensure quality customer service and coordinate with all Firm departments including Business Development, Travel, Meetings and Events team, Legal Recruiting & Development, attorneys, staff and outside clients to proactively plan all internal and external meetings, trainings, trial teams and events in all meeting and event space within the office, included but not limited to the conference center, café, floor pantries and workrooms.
• Interface with catering, conference technology, document services, general services, secretarial services and other service departments to guarantee preparedness of the conference center and event spaces for all event and meeting needs.
• Manage Guest Services Coordinators, assigning dedicated contact for each meeting and event.
• In conjunction with the Guest Services Supervisor ensure front desk coverage for all reception areas.
• Supervision of Catering and Pantry operations to ensure the successful execution of the Firm’s catering needs in conferences, meetings, and floor pantries.
• Manage and maintain Café menu including Coffee menus and the firm’s network of digital signage.
• Work with Associate Director of Guest Services and hospitality to review, analyze and forecast budgets and the cost of operations; adhere to department budget and seek opportunities to improve department efficiency and reduce expenses by streamlining operations.
• Support and take all necessary and approved actions to achieve departmental goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Guest Services and Hospitality to establish clear expectations and work priorities, ensuring that work levels are balanced and met among food service staff.
• Must understand and present P&L statements on a monthly basis.
• Process monthly invoices for food service catering, café, coffee bar and special events.
• Develop and/or lead change management efforts across all phases of projects and initiatives to drive the Firm’s culture of continuous improvement.

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

• Any other functions/duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5 years event planning preferably in a corporate conference center or in the hospitality industry. 
• Minimum of 5 years of management/supervisor experience including oversight of contract vendor.
• Superior customer service, excellent written/oral communication skills, and leadership abilities
• Proficiency in the use of software, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio
• Experience working with conference room scheduling software (e.g. EMS)
• Proven change management skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and scanners.
• This role requires professional appearance through appropriate business attire, written product, voice messages and demeanor.
• Daily hours of operation are currently M - F, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional hours during frequent evening and weekend special events.  Hours subject to change based on business needs.

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-Onsite #LI-LW1