Litigation & Practice Technology Discovery Program 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. 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 Discovery Program Manager will join a team of directors, advisors and technologists all focused on delivering unparalleled discovery, data science, trial technology and presentation design services to firm case teams and clients. 

This key operational role will support initiatives focused on development of integrated systems to better support busy teams through the design of project tracking, resource allocation, pipeline forecasting, and related process optimization.  Equally critical is a drive to ensure a human-centered, customer experience is maintained and, ideally, elevated through application of design-thinking and similar principles.    

The Manager will also support team leadership in the capture, update and assessment of data trends and complete other operational, process-focused, and administrative initiatives as assigned.   

The Manager will also provide administrative support to team leadership through ownership of time approval and related scheduling tasks, maintaining workflow and documentation repositories, and assisting with onboarding and recruitment efforts.

The role will work closely with leadership from Litigation and Practice Technology (“LPT”), Trial Technology, and Presentation Design as well as other key stakeholders including IT, HR, Finance, Innovation, and other firm administrative departments. 

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

Project Intake, Resource Allocation & Process Optimization

Working in partnership with leadership, the Manager will support the design and implementation of process optimization focused on the delivery of white-glove, personalized services to case teams and clients, powered by best-in-class process and technology.

Initiatives will focus on efforts to streamline, centralize, and report key client project requests and requirements to support the ultimate goal of ensuring resources are effectively aligned, offering the best mix of talent and availability for the project.        

Additionally, process-focused initiatives will aid the enhancement of team and operational efficiencies including identification of opportunities employ automation.

The Manager will partner with senior leadership to identify and track key performance indicators and business goals and work to ensure these priorities are reflected in daily operations and team initiatives.

Data Capture, Analysis & Reporting

Critical to process optimization initiatives will be supporting of intake processes.  The Manager will work closely with LPT, Trial Technology and Presentation Design leadership to support necessary operational quality control and enhancement needs including the review of requests from case teams and other sources (e.g., finance systems and project plans) to ensure centralized and coherent goal realization for the department.

Operational Support

The Manager will work closely with leadership to execute, streamline, and modernize operational tasks critical to the success of the teams. This includes maintaining the repositories of templates, SOPs, training curriculum, scripts and playbook items across various data repositories to ensure the team has easy access to best practices at all times.

The Manager will also support key communications and events with the teams. This includes coordinating weekly and monthly meetings ensuring key decisions are documented and executed, maintaining individual meeting calendars with leadership, coordinating time off requests, coverage efforts, time approvals, and assisting with preparing for in-person gatherings.

The Manager will be an instrumental part in ensuring Recruitment and Onboarding efforts offer a seamless experience for new team members. From preparing onboarding documentation to coordinating various training sessions and live demonstrations.

Finally, the Manager will foster inhouse relationships with key teams including members of IT, Risk, Security, Paralegals and Attorneys and key external vendor partnerships. 

Qualifications & Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, project management, data analytics, information systems, or a related field.

Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience in project management or similar operational, cross-team coordination.   

The Manager should have an interest and aptitude for fostering the growth of high-performing teams and enjoy one on one team member engagement. 

This position requires a high level of collaboration with attorneys and administrative leadership; therefore, the ideal candidate must possess strong communication skills and interact with people at all levels with a high degree of accuracy, professionalism, and accountability.

Candidates must possess exceptional organizational skills, coupled with good judgement and the ability to independently define and make progress on action items.  Concurrently, they must demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and demonstrate an ability to stay aligned with and meet goals set forth by leadership.

Ability to work independently and lead execution of complex projects; our team works like a startup within a major organization, and we are looking for individuals who can take initiative and ownership and who thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

Experience working in a professional services, law firm, or corporate legal environment preferred.

Experience with PMO design and management, multi-phased strategic planning, and leveraging common project management tools and frameworks.

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in each of the below locations. 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: $180,000 - $210,000

• New York City: $180,000 - $210,000

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

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