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 management; restructurings; high-stakes litigation and trials; 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 19 offices across the United States, Europe and Asia, we are one of the largest law firms in the world and a top financial performer.

Essential Job Functions

The Associate Director, Program Management role is responsible for leading the most complex, critical Technology project efforts in accordance with the Firm's project lifecycle, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines. This role will lead large projects and programs comprised of multiple workstreams, partnering with Technology teams and business partners. The individual will be accountable for project planning and integrated workplans, project financials, identifying and managing dependencies, resourcing, program level risks and issues, and reporting to executive level stakeholders and sponsors. This role will build program roadmaps, engage in annual budgeting processes and business case development, and establish program governance and communication.

This role requires a results-driven professional who is highly organized, with a keen attention to detail, a strong commitment and focus on results for the customer. The individual must have excellent people and process management skills, ability to solve complex problems, a strong technology background, and an ability to write, lead and present at meetings and influence people effectively.

Essential Functions:

• Leads projects and programs in accordance with Firm's project management lifecycle at both program and project levels. Provides strategic direction to project teams in partnership with technical leads.
• Develops and manages to appropriate work breakdown structure (WBS) and resource plan that supports overall project goals and timeline, driving deliverables and milestones from inception to project close
• Works with team to ensure appropriate use of Project Management Portfolio system, providing up-to-date transparent view into project workplan, status and risks.
• Serves as overall program lead for large programs with multiple project managers; mentors and guides project managers to drive efforts through to the desired end state in a manner that is transparent, on time, and on budget.
• Recognizes and manages project risks and issues, including mitigation options, status, and impact. Acts as an escalation point for project team members.
• Works with project sponsors and stakeholders to recognize and manage risks and issues outside the project which may impact project outcome and/or benefits
• Effectively manages project communication and governance to keep sponsors and stakeholders apprised of status, escalate risks and issues, and drive decisions in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Contributes to the evolution of project management standards, processes, tools, and templates
• Demonstrates highly effective meeting management skills
• Supports annual portfolio planning and budget processes
• Leads by example with transparency, accountability and ownership for successful execution of assigned programs and projects; may step in as needed to support key project(s) or program based on risk and business criticality.
• Works with teams to help understand and define the needs of the Firm practices and administrative functions at an enterprise level to help set IT program.
• Actively measures success by providing on time, on budget project delivery that meets business requirements and objectives.

Other Functions:

• Any other related functions/duties as assigned by management. Functions may vary based on project and Information Technology department needs.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills:

Required:

• 10+ years in IT project/program management of application delivery, security, and/or infrastructure projects
• Bachelor's degree
• Proven change management skills.
• Excellent communication, diplomacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with business and IT cross-functional teams.

Preferred:

• Experience with SaaS (Software as a Service) and Cloud projects
• Experience with hybrid and agile methodologies
• Vendor management

Technologies/Software

• Project and Portfolio Management tools (such as Eclipse, ServiceNow, Microsoft Project)
• Agile management tools (such as JIRA, Azure Dev Ops)
• Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Visio, Teams, Skype

Certificates, Licensures, Registrations:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred but not 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. #LI-Hybrid #LI-LC1