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CareerLink Coach

Job ID: 8252

Updated: Jan 16, 2025

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

Category: Legal Recruiting & Development

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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

As a member of the Firmwide Legal Recruiting & Development Department (“LRD”), the CareerLink Coach will guide and support attorneys, alumni, and friends of the Firm in defining and achieving career goals, including job search and transition efforts.

The Kirkland CareerLink (“KCL” or “CareerLink”) program provides industry-leading support to Kirkland attorneys, alumni, and Firm clients (hereafter, “Clients”) in defining and pursuing career success. Harnessing the global reach of Kirkland’s brand and connections, CareerLink delivers value through in-depth career and executive coaching, innovative program and resource development, and network building.

The CareerLink Coach will be an integral part of the innovative and award-winning CareerLink program, managing day-to-day activities and working with Clients on career direction, resume development, interview preparation, salary negotiations, networking best practices, and more. The scope of individual sessions may more broadly include supporting Clients in advancing their professional goals within the Firm and/or navigating post-Kirkland opportunities. The CareerLink Coach will also track program metrics, develop meaningful resources, and integrate these offerings into the greater LRD programming.

This role will work collaboratively and seamlessly with resources across the LRD channels and other departments in areas such as: Alumni Engagement, Events Planning, Recruiting, Professional Development/Training, Diversity & Inclusion, and Marketing & Communications.

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

Client Work/Coaching & Counseling

  • Assist Clients with the development of relevant marketing materials and professional branding documents such as resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, bios
  • Conduct one-on-one coaching sessions to gauge the individual needs of each Client and provide coaching to achieve professional goals internally at the Firm and/or advance through a job search until placement
  • Provide networking guidance and support
  • Interview preparation
  • Salary benchmarking and negotiation coaching

Internal Stakeholder Support & Advisory

  • Support Firm partners in sourcing appropriate candidates on behalf of Firm clients
  • Work with Alumni Engagement and Attorney Engagement teams to integrate and enhance CareerLink offerings within their programs
  • Identify and track gaps or common issues faced by Clients and propose/create solution-based resource solutions and/or programming

In-House Pipeline Buildout

  • Outreach to legal industry recruiters to post positions to the Kirkland alumni website and network on behalf of our Clients
  • Research and analyze legal in-house employment trends, nationally and globally

Training & Development

  • Further develop the CareerLink program in each office through programming and the development of specific tools.
  • Drive planning and participate in the annual “In-House Insider Experience” offered to select attorneys and alumni. 
  • Conduct workshops/webcasts on resume creation, leveraging social media for the job search, interviewing, and other job search skills.

Data, Marketing & Branding

  • Track and report on relevant CareerLink metrics utilizing specified tools such as SharePoint
  • Develop content for CareerLink marketing materials, including our website resources
  • Present CareerLink program metrics, offerings, and successes to internal stakeholders and leadership
  • Creation of relevant written materials for publications

Team Leadership

  • Support the greater LRD efforts of the Firm including presence and participation at events,
  • Develop team building and development experiences for the CareerLink team

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

Teamwork, ownership of assigned work, responsiveness, and outstanding commitment to excellence is essential for this position.  Additionally, the ideal candidate will possess these qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree and J.D. required
  • Ten-plus years of work experience
  • Career coaching and executive-level coaching experience required
  • Formal coach training and/or certification required
  • Recruiting and/or legal market familiarity and knowledge is required
  • Legal practice experience in Big Law is strongly preferred
  • Knowledge of US and International legal job boards and recruiters
  • Flexibility in regard to hours (some Clients may be international)
  • Excellent communication (written and oral), listening, multi-tasking, and organizational skills
  • Ability to develop strong relationships and trust with Clients and partners as measured by repeat Client engagement
  • Strong sense of empathy, positive outlook, ability to motivate others, and drive for results

Technologies/Software

Technology plays an important role in the execution of team deliverables.  Candidates are expected to work within the following tools:

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel
  • LinkedIn and other social media experience preferred
  • Working knowledge of SharePoint

Certificates, Licensures, Registrations

  • Formal coach training and/or Career or Executive Coaching certification is required. 
  • Experience as a practicing attorney is required.

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: $168,000 - $205,000

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-NK1 #LI-Hybrid