Senior Information Governance Specialist I

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. 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 over 6,500 employees (including approximately 4,000 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

• The Senior Information Governance Specialist role will provide support on one or more Information Governance (IG) projects and services associated with Technology (IT) initiatives. The role will collaborate with internal requestors and key stakeholders, including but not limited to IT personnel and Senior Risk Management leadership on high visibility matters and ongoing process improvement projects. The role will assist in ensuring effective alignment between governance objectives and technology-driven efforts.
• Responsibilities include providing support for technology reviews and privileged access audits to ensure the confidentiality of client and firm data. The individual will maintain and manage the privileged access repository for technology contractors, ensuring all access requests are properly documented and maintained with the proper approvals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct audits of contractor privileged access to ensure compliance with firm policies, regulatory standards, and security best practices.
• Maintain and regularly update the privileged access repository, ensuring accurate and complete documentation of access records.
• Define, develop, and produce metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor and report on access management performance.
• Collaborate with Information Security and Technology Service teams to protect the confidentiality and security of Client and Firm information.
• Partner with other departments, including Technology Services, Compliance, and Vendor Risk Management, to ensure adherence to firm policies, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in conducting technology reviews to identify and address potential risks, enhancing the firm’s overall risk management strategy.
• Assist in the maturity of the access review program by using the firm’s Identity Governance solution to streamline and improve access management processes.
• Provide input to management for practical recommendations and solutions to complex and/or technical issues that relate to the management of client and firm administrative information.
• Lead cross-functional teams to ensure appropriate governance of information management practices at the Firm.

Qualifications & Requirements

Candidates with an educational background from a wide variety of disciplines including information technology, legal, compliance, information management, and/or records management or equivalent experience will be considered.

Required:

• An accredited undergraduate degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience.
• Self-motivated, creative, and detail-oriented individual with a strong knowledge of information management and/or information governance processes and technologies.
• Foundational understanding and knowledge of emerging technologies (e.g., AI, Cloud, etc.)
• Aptitude and interest in information technologies, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills
• Capable of analyzing data, understanding technology, effectively prioritizing tasks/projects, and communicating complex and/or technical topics relating to Information Governance to those who have no prior knowledge of the firm’s systems and policies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, time management, recordkeeping, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office applications, e.g., Outlook, Excel.
• Experience with remote collaboration applications, e.g., Zoom, MS Teams.

Preferred:

• Previous law firm or in-house legal experience.
• Solid working knowledge and understanding of Information Governance principles.
• Experience using and administering email archive systems, iManage DMS, Shared Drives, SharePoint, SQL, MS Purview, M365, PowerShell, and Command Prompt.
• Advanced proficiency using advanced text editors, e.g., NotePad++ to manipulate structured data including regular expressions.
• Business analysis and project management experience.

Certificates, Licensures, Registrations:

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) preferred.

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, multi-function devices (MFDs), and filing cabinets.

Compensation

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

Compensation Range:

• Chicago: $110,000 - $130,000

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-DR1