M&A / Private Equity Practice Development Specialist

About Kirkland & Ellis

At Kirkland & Ellis, we don’t just meet the standard for legal excellence — we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 22 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers’ commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.

What You’ll Do

Are you a strategic communicator with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for high-stakes dealmaking? Kirkland & Ellis is seeking an experienced Business Development Specialist – M&A/Private Equity to join our Marketing & Business Development (MBD) team in Chicago. In this role, you’ll support the Firm’s market-leading M&A/Private Equity practice by developing strategic client materials, crafting impactful business intelligence, and executing initiatives that enhance our competitive positioning.

Kirkland consistently ranks at the top of M&A league tables by both deal value and volume. This is a high-impact opportunity to partner with senior attorneys and BD leaders, helping to showcase the Firm’s experience, deepen client relationships, and drive strategic growth. You’ll be part of a dynamic team that values initiative, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity—and you’ll work closely with colleagues across the Transactional practices and our global BD organization.

• Strategic Pitching & Client Materials – Develop, edit, and finalize customized presentations, pitch decks, and RFP responses that reflect Kirkland’s market leadership
• M&A Experience Management – Serve as a go-to resource for the Firm’s M&A credentials, ensuring accurate data entry and insights from league tables and internal databases
• Marketing Collateral Oversight – Maintain and enhance practice descriptions, attorney bios, brochures, PowerPoint templates, and rankings
• Research & Intelligence – Prepare strategic reports on prospects, industries, and competitors to support client targeting and market positioning
• Data Analysis & Reporting – Aggregate and interpret key metrics for internal and external stakeholders to inform BD strategies
• Team Collaboration – Build trusted relationships across MBD, Transactional practice teams, and firmwide departments to deliver coordinated and effective results

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• 5+ years of experience in M&A/Private Equity, business development, financial services, or professional services project management
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills – ability to engage with senior stakeholders and deliver polished, client-ready materials
• Exceptional project management and organization – skilled at juggling competing priorities under tight deadlines
• Critical thinking and initiative – capable of working independently and navigating ambiguity to move projects forward
• Technical proficiency – fluency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with research tools (e.g., Mergermarket, Bloomberg, PitchBook) and CRM platforms like InterAction or Salesforce
• Attention to detail and data accuracy – meticulous approach to editing, proofing, and database upkeep
• Professional presence and discretion – comfort working with confidential and high-stakes information

If you’re ready to bring insight, creativity, and precision to a team that drives growth for one of the world’s leading law firms, we’d love to hear from you!

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 - $99,000 - $107,000

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click "Apply Now."

Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.

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. #LI-Hybrid #LI-NK1