Kirkland & Ellis

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

The Project Manager, AI Solutions, will play a crucial role in leading the implementation, rollout, and ongoing support of key AI and legal technology solutions for the Firm. This role encompasses various responsibilities, including technology testing and proof of concept (POC), vendor management, communications, and change management. The Project Manager will interface directly with Firm practitioners, as well as IT, Risk, and Security teams.

The Project Manager, AI Solutions, will be instrumental in advancing the firm's technological capabilities and delivering innovative solutions to enhance productivity, efficiency, and client service. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of technology and law, driving meaningful change and impact across the Firm.

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

Product Evaluation & Proof of Concepts:

• Design, plan, lead and monitor attorney focused pilots and product evaluations from start to finish with minimal oversight, including defining objectives, scope, timeline, success criteria, and managing stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain project plans, manage resource allocation and drive cross functional teams to meet milestones and see projects through to completion while managing and escalating risks and issues appropriately.
• Collaborate with stakeholders in developing business cases and recommendations on selection and acquisition of legal technologies and tools.
• Develop and/or lead change management efforts across all phases of projects and initiatives to drive the Firm’s culture of continuous improvement.

Implementation and Rollout of AI Solutions:

• Lead the planning, execution, and monitoring of projects related to the implementation and rollout of AI and legal technology solutions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and resource allocation strategies to ensure successful implementation within defined parameters.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and issues, and implement mitigation strategies as necessary to ensure timely delivery and quality outcomes.
• Engage with an owner’s mindset, ensuring project completion across necessary input from various departments and stakeholders.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Support:

• Serve as a subject matter expert for AI and legal technology solutions, providing ongoing support and guidance to internal teams and stakeholders.
• Actively support technology testing and POC activities to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of potential solutions.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in the AI and legal technology space to inform decision-making and solution optimization.

Vendor Management:

• Manage relationships with external vendors and technology partners involved in the delivery and support of AI solutions.
• Coordinate vendor selection, negotiation, and contracting processes to ensure alignment with project requirements and budgetary constraints.
• Monitor vendor performance, adherence to service level agreements (SLAs), and resolution of issues to maintain high standards of quality and service delivery.

Communications and Change Management:

• Lead with a growth mindset around opportunities in emerging technology while understanding and identifying key risks; experiment with new and creative ways for delivering key information on projects to Firm colleagues.
• Develop and implement communication plans to keep stakeholders informed about project status, milestones, and key developments.
• Facilitate change management activities to promote user adoption and acceptance of AI solutions within the Firm.
• Provide training, resources, and ongoing support to help users leverage AI technologies effectively and efficiently in their workflows.

Interface with Firm Practitioners and Support Functions:

• Collaborate with firm practitioners, IT teams, Risk management, and Security teams to ensure alignment of AI solutions with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and security standards.
• Act as a liaison between technical and non-technical stakeholders to facilitate effective communication and problem-solving.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Skills

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, business administration, or a related field. Advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred. Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience in project management either within Technology/the AI domain or within an emergent space with a demonstratable interest in AI/emerging technology.
• Proven experience in project management, with a focus on technology implementations and solutions delivery.
• Strong understanding of emerging technologies such as AI/ML; demonstrated interest and excitement around the business impact of AI/emerging technology is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills; demonstrated creative communication skills is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive complex projects to successful outcomes.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.
• Ability to work independently and lead execution of complex projects; our team works like a startup within a major organization, and we are looking for individuals who can take initiative and ownership and who thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of legal industry trends and practices is a plus.
• Proven change management skills

Technologies/Software

List Core Technologies (Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

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-JN1