Attorney Engagement Manager

About Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a preeminent, full-service law firm with offices around the world and a staff as diverse as the practice areas we support. Our clients range from Fortune 100 companies to medium and small corporations, financial institutions, and private equity firms.  Known for our commitment to excellence, Kirkland strives to provide superior service to our clients as well as our fellow employees. From Information Technology to Human Resources, Paralegal Services to Business Development, Kirkland offers non-attorney professionals challenging careers in a variety of functional areas. Whether starting or growing your career, Kirkland can offer a performance-driven culture filled with bright and innovative teams of co-workers.

Essential Job Functions

As a member of the Firmwide (FW) Legal Recruiting and Development (LRD) Department, the Attorney Engagement Manager will support the vision set by Firm leadership for all attorney engagement activities in New York. The Manager will provide support for the processes, programming and overall functioning of the engagement channel with the goal of creating an irresistible, best-in-class workplace for the Firm’s attorneys.

The position will closely collaborate with the Director of Legal Recruiting and local leadership to implement and advance various initiatives related to (i) attorney onboarding, (ii) attorney workflow integration, (iii) morale, retention and employee engagement, (iv) attorney mentoring, (v) affinity group events and programming and all diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) activities, (vi) attorney wellness check-ins, (vii) Associates Committee and (viii) exit interviews.

Essential Functions

• Drive the development and execution of attorney engagement initiatives designed to create an irresistible workplace. Develop and implement a standard of excellence around attorney morale and retention initiatives.
• Administer and maintain engagement policies, operational procedures and practices consistent with the goals and objectives of the Firm and the office.
• Drive new hire and lateral integration programs to effectively integrate and appropriately support new attorneys. Assist new attorney hires with social and workflow integration and help them navigate and acclimate to the Kirkland open assignment system. Assist with attorney onboarding and orientation, including 30-, 60- and 90-day check-ins.
• In collaboration with the Firmwide Director of Wellbeing and New York Director of Legal Recruiting, develop and execute against a strategic wellness check-in plan with associates to address matters of concern and minimize attrition.
• Monitor attorney utilization rates, in conjunction with the New York Workflow Integration Manager, and collaborate with associates and partners to ensure appropriate workflow and professional development opportunities. Assist with intra- and inter-office requests for associate staffing. 
• Liaise with and support local Diversity Committee and affinity groups, including WLI. Facilitate local DEI initiatives, annual programming and events in collaboration with FW Diversity & Inclusion, local Diversity Committee and affinity groups.
• Assist with the planning and execution of the office’s summer associate program, including social programs, surveys, and evaluations.
• Liaise with and support local Associates Committee.
• Administer and maintain a robust internal mentoring program.
• Provide logistical support for engagement events and programs. Track engagement events and initiatives.
• Assist with exit interviews and data collection, including year-end reporting.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required. Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience in similar setting, law firm or professional services strongly preferred
• Candidates must have strong interpersonal and communication skills, project management, analytical skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Skilled in getting things done and overcoming obstacles to reach the goal
• The ability to work effectively with all levels of management, and across all Kirkland departments and offices, is required
• Proven leadership skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent judgment
• Creative and innovative
• Responsible and responsive
• Team oriented
• Committed to attorney attraction, retention and development as well as keeping abreast of market trends and new programs
• Demonstrated high level of project management skills
• High level of confidentiality
• Proven ability to effectively work with senior level professionals and Partners
• Documenting medium to large scale projects with minimal supervision; will be involved in developing/delivering presentations

Technologies/Software

• Technical experience should include the Microsoft Office Suite; Proficiency in Excel required.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

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.

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