Business Development / Marketing Specialist

Job ID: 7784

Updated: Apr 23, 2024

Location:

Category: Business Development

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

Kirkland & Ellis is seeking a dynamic and organized Business Development Specialist to support its Washington, D.C. office and be a key driver of its growth and success.

In this role, you will provide comprehensive support across the entirety of the business development and marketing lifecycle, playing a key role in the execution of development strategies for all cross-practice areas with a particular focus on transactional and litigation practice areas.

We are looking for an exceptional communicator and critical thinker with a history of taking initiative and a genuine intellectual curiosity. You will possess excellent organizational and project management skills, outstanding editing and proofing skills, the ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast-paced environment, a strong attention to detail and a professional and polished demeanor. You will be oriented toward continuous improvement - of both your own work product and of the team as a whole.

We operate from a team-first position and value honesty, diligence and open communication. Success in this role will depend upon your ability to collaborate effectively with team members (including seeking help and asking questions when needed), develop familiarity with the Firm's various resources and systems, hone your instincts to anticipate questions and potential issues, independently manage your time and consistently "go the extra mile" without being asked. You will be expected to establish yourself as a trusted, responsive resource to your BD colleagues and attorneys in Washington, D.C. Excellent judgment and discretion in handling confidential or sensitive information is critical in this role.

You will report to the Director of Business Development in Washington, D.C. and also communicate and collaborate regularly with a global team of approximately 160 diverse problem-solvers and advisers dedicated to the broader BD, marketing and communications efforts of the Firm. Kirkland's international BD team provides seamless service to our attorneys with a focus on quality, innovation and responsiveness.

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

• Through the development of a keen understanding of the Firm's unique business model, capabilities and client relationships, the Business Development Specialist will manage the execution of business development strategies and specific objectives for the Washington, D.C. office.
• Facilitate opportunities to expand market share with existing and new clients, including identifying prospects for cross-selling and supporting account-specific development tactics in conjunction with relationship partners to promote and expand Kirkland's transactional and litigation practices.
• Prepare thoughtful, substantive pitches and proposals tailored to specific matters and practice areas. Conduct original research and produce corresponding narratives--including factual findings, statistics, etc., in support of specific pitch opportunities. Track all pitches to evaluate pipeline, wins/losses and trends by client type, practice, industry, etc.
• Partner with attorneys and business development colleagues to produce timely, targeted thought leadership and client training materials aligned with anticipated client needs, lead generation and client relationship development or in response to specific requests.
• Coordinate high-quality in-person and virtual events and speaking engagements for groups of various sizes, including providing on-the-ground support, leading speaker and attendee preparation and supporting follow-up with generated leads, as well as tracking ROI.
• Create and office-specific collateral materials to showcase Kirkland's offerings including practice descriptions, attorney biographies, website content, brochures and other marketing collateral. Assist with the maintenance of experience databases, as well as practice and industry-specific deal and case lists.
• Draft and manage submissions, rankings, surveys, directories and other recognitions for disputes and transactional practices. Additionally, in collaboration with partners, submit clients for awards and recognitions.
• Maintain marketing lists for specific events and other interactions using the Firmwide CRM database (InterAction).
• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the Washington, D.C. legal market, and key client industries. Monitor market trends, clients, and competitors.
• Manage other business development and marketing projects as necessary.

OTHER FUNCTIONS

• Any other functions/duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

Required

• Understanding of the Washington, D.C. legal market and key industry sectors.
• Experience with planning and preparing pitches, substantive presentations and other marketing materials.
• Marketing collateral development experience, with a good eye for graphic design and sharp attention to detail is preferred.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with high-level attorneys, clients, staff and guests of the Firm.
• Ability to take initiative, adapt to change and work independently in high-pressure, deadline-driven scenarios while exercising sound judgment and making intelligent, informed decisions.
• Excellent client service orientation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish rapport and maintain effective relationships with various levels of personnel, internally and externally, including existing and potential clients.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize and execute a diverse range of tasks with a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to handle ambiguity, weigh options and find ways to move initiatives forward to meet critical deadlines and produce results.
• Collaborative approach to working within a team, including the ability to take direction and implement feedback.
• Meticulous data entry, writing and proofing skills and a general facility for learning new software.
• Ability to thrive in an electronic environment and utilize technology to deliver information. Proficiency in methods of information acquisition, including the use of online information databases, tools and resources.
• Ability to synthesize data, complex financial and legal concepts and accurately capture ideas and themes in a narrative.
• Solid command of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint).
• Bachelor's degree.

Preferred

• At least 5 years of business development and marketing experience gained within the legal profession with an AmLaw 100 law firm.
• Subject matter knowledge of transactional and litigation practice areas, e.g., international trade, energy regulatory, environmental transactions, and commercial litigation.
• Advanced research skills across legal and business resources and topics, including familiarity with electronic resources including Westlaw, Pitchbook, Preqin, Capital IQ, Docket Navigator, Lex Machina, Monitor Suite, and others is preferred.
• Experience with CRM/database software (e.g., InterAction, Salesforce, etc.).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role offers a hybrid work arrangement.

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-Hybrid #LI-NK1