Senior Attorney Engagement 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 in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions; investment fund formation and alternative asset management; restructurings; high-stakes commercial and intellectual property litigation; and government, regulatory and internal investigations. 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 6,500 employees (including 3,500 lawyers) operating from 20 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 (FW) Legal Recruiting & Development (LRD) Department, the Senior Attorney Engagement Manager will support the vision set by Firm leadership for all attorney engagement activities in the Bay Area office. The Senior Manager will provide support for the processes, programming and overall functioning of the engagement department with the goal of creating an irresistible, best-in-class workplace for the Firm's attorneys .

The position will closely collaborate with 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) DEI professional network activities and programming, (vi) attorney wellness check-ins, (vii) Associates Committee and (viii) Associate departure interviews.

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

• 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 integration and collaborate with the west coast workflow integration manager (Transactional focused) to 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 Bay Area Associate Director of Human Resources, develop and execute against a strategic wellness check-in plan with associates to address matters of concern and minimize attrition across the Bay Area and Bay Area.
• Monitor overall associate utilization rates 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 professional networks.
• Collaborate as a Bay Area LRD team 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 in collaboration with Partner stakeholders.
• Administer and maintain a robust internal mentoring program.
• Provide logistical support for engagement events and programs . Track engagement events and initiatives.
• Assist with the associate departure process and data collection, including year-end reporting.
• Manage the day-to-day operations for the Bay Area Attorney Engagement team and priorities; includes 2 direct reports.
• Develop and/or lead change management efforts across all phases of projects and initiatives to drive the Firm's culture of continuous improvement.

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

• Any other functions/duties as assigned by management

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• 8+ years of relevant work experience in similar setting, law firm or professional services 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 judgment, creative and innovative, responsible and responsive and 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
• Technical experience should include the Microsoft Office Suite; Proficiency in Excel required
• Proven change management skills

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment.

How to Apply

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

Compensation:

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

• Bay Area - $175,000 -$232,000

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.

The Firm will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records and criminal histories consistent with local laws.

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