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
Are you passionate about fostering meaningful connections and enhancing employee engagement in a dynamic professional setting? As a Senior Engagement Manager, you'll play a key role in designing and implementing innovative engagement programs that elevate workplace culture, support employee well-being, and drive retention. Your focus will be on crafting strategies that build an inclusive, vibrant community where individuals feel connected, valued, and motivated to grow within their careers.
In this role, you'll apply your expertise in engagement management to the unique environment of one of the world's leading law firms. You will develop and lead attorney-specific programs that promote professional integration, morale, retention and professional networking and development. While you will be based in Bay Area, you'll collaborate closely with our West Coast local leadership teams (Los Angeles, the Bay Area and Salt Lake City) and our Legal Recruiting & Development (LRD) team to ensure each office provides a supportive and thriving workplace for attorneys at all levels.
You will directly report to our Director of Attorney Engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design Best-in-Class Engagement Programs: Lead efforts to create a thriving professional environment, developing attorney engagement programs that foster belonging, well-being, and career satisfaction.
- New Hire Integration: Craft programs to help new attorneys transition smoothly into the firm, including onboarding initiatives, workflow integration, and regular check-ins.
- Attorney Well-Being & Retention: Collaborate with HR and wellness leaders to ensure ongoing support for attorney well-being through strategic wellness programs, mentoring, and morale-building activities.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives: Partner with local and firmwide DEI teams to advance professional network activities, annual programming, and events aimed at enhancing diversity and inclusion across the attorney workforce.
- Professional Growth & Development: Facilitate mentorship programs and provide opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development to ensure attorneys are supported in their career trajectories.
Why This Role Matters:
- Transform the Employee Experience: As a Senior Engagement Manager, your work will directly contribute to making our workplace a place where our attorneys are excited to come to work and feel supported in their professional and personal journeys.
- Shape the Future of Law Firm Culture: Use your engagement expertise to help attorneys not only succeed professionally but feel a true sense of belonging and fulfillment.
- Innovation and Impact: You'll have the opportunity to design and implement cutting-edge engagement strategies that set new standards for workplace culture in a legal setting.
Qualifications & Requirements
About You:
- You have 8+ years of employee engagement work experience at a law firm and/or similar professional services setting and have a talent for building programs that inspire and connect people.
- You understand the importance of a holistic approach to well-being and are passionate about fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth.
- You're a skilled communicator and collaborator, able to work across teams and at all levels to promote engagement and support.
- You are familiar with, or interested in learning about, the unique dynamics of a law firm environment and how to tailor engagement strategies to meet the needs of attorneys.
If you're eager to create meaningful engagement programs that support professional development and workplace satisfaction, we'd love to hear from you!
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.