Practice Development Coordinator

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 more than 3,500 lawyers) operating from 21 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

Kirkland & Ellis is seeking a versatile Practice Development Coordinator with strong project management skills and an eye for detail to support the marketing and business development efforts of the Firm’s Investment Funds Group as part of the Business Development (BD) Department in our New York office.

Kirkland’s Investment Funds is one of the largest dedicated fund formation practices in the world and has a broad and diverse client base, including many multibillion-dollar fund managers as well as middle and lower-middle-market private equity sponsors. In this role, you will handle a variety of functions for the Investment Funds Group (IFG), including editing and organizing client presentations and proposals, organizing events, contact relationship management, branding, business/relationship intelligence and internal communications.

We are looking for an exceptional communicator and critical thinker with a history of taking initiative and a genuine intellectual curiosity. You will possess excellent organizational and project management skills, outstanding editing and proofing skills, the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment, a strong attention to detail and a professional and polished demeanor. You will be oriented toward continuous improvement – of both your own work product and of the team as a whole.

We operate from a team-first position and value honesty, diligence and open communication. Success in this role will depend upon your ability to collaborate effectively with team members (including seeking help and asking questions when needed), develop familiarity with the Firm’s various resources and systems, hone your instincts to anticipate questions and potential issues, independently manage your time and consistently “go the extra mile” without being asked. You will be expected to establish yourself as a trusted, responsive resource to your BD colleagues and attorneys in New York and globally. Excellent judgment and discretion in handling confidential or sensitive information is critical in this role.

While each week is unique in its demands, here is a sampling of recent tasks: prepare a pitch deck for a credit funds manager, build a new fundraising trends deck based on both internal and external data, and help coordinate a virtual regulatory zoom update for clients including getting CLE approved for the slides you created.

You will report to the Investment Funds BD Director in New York and work closely with 20+ other local team members. You will also communicate and collaborate regularly with a global team of approximately 170 diverse problem-solvers and advisers dedicated to the broader BD, marketing and communications efforts of the Firm. Kirkland’s international 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 production of bespoke, client-facing pitch materials, presentations and responses to RFPs – including compiling, proofreading, formatting, editing, printing, binding and delivery.
• Maintain accurate, updated marketing collateral including practice descriptions, brochures, PowerPoint templates, case summaries, accolade summaries and attorney biographies.
• Prepare document drafts via multiple platforms, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and client online portals.
• Closely liaise with partners, associates, knowledge managers and other business development team members to draft and tailor proposal responses.
• Handle project management tasks, such as keeping multiple attorneys and practice group teams organized and ensuring all teams meet provided deadlines.
• Draft and edit content by gathering collateral from internal databases and numerous other Firm departments.
• Support extensive tracking and reporting via Microsoft Excel of funds and transactions and transfer this data to new databases as needed and implemented.
• Assist with fee estimate reporting projects.
• Work closely with the Firm’s finance department to gather billing rates, rate discounts and other fee-related client inquiries.
• Maintain data in the Firm’s contact relationship management (CRM) system by reviewing and curating targeted mailing lists for various marketing campaigns and client programming, recording activities such as client meetings, updating current contact information, conducting regular database audits and executing other meaningful back-end data entry projects.
• Provide logistical assistance in connection with the origination and execution of new business pitches and related client development meetings and activities, including setting up Zoom and other video/webinar platforms and booking meeting rooms.
• Conduct research and prepare intelligence reports on clients, potential clients, competitors and target industries to understand market position, develop strategic plans and drive marketing efforts to maintain and grow the Investment Funds practice and our industry position.
• Engage in thoughtful, comprehensive research of the Firm’s Investment Funds practice across a wide breadth of industries, geographies and transaction types using a variety of internal and external resources.
• Help maintain and update content in our Firmwide experience database.
• Compile, interpret, analyze and export data in relation to requests from multiple stakeholders and departments.
• Help with survey responses, award nominations and directory submissions as needed.
• Assist with general online and database research.
• Provide administrative assistance – including budgeting, expense reporting, phone support, scheduling, travel, etc.— as needed to the Investment Funds team.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Any other functions/duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

Required

• 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 a high level of 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.
• Ability to synthesize data, complex financial and legal concepts and accurately capture ideas and themes in a narrative.
• Solid command of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint).
• Bachelor’s degree.

Preferred

• At least 3 years’ experience in a professional services environment, financial services, investment bank or law firm.
• Experience with CRM/database software (e.g., InterAction, Salesforce, etc.).
• Working knowledge of Adobe, SharePoint and market intelligence/legal research platforms, including Capital IQ, Preqin, Manzama, The Deal Pipeline, Pitchbook and Bloomberg.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position operates in a corporate office environment. A professional appearance and demeanor is required. 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."

Compensation: 

 The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. This range may differ based on your experience and skill set, geographic location, and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We also offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits, personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

• New York City - $72,000 - $93,000

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.