Travel, Meetings & Events Specialist

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 Specialist's primary focus will be planning and executing internal and external events, on-site, off-site, and virtual, including seminars, dinners, receptions, retreats and conferences primarily for Kirkland's Texas offices. However, the Specialist is part of the larger Firmwide Travel, Meetings & Events team and will be leveraged to lend support for Firmwide events as needed. This position requires the ability to work independently, and to follow-up with staff and attorneys as needed.

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

• Manage successful organization and delivery of innovative meetings and events through effective project management, including collaboration with partners and other internal stakeholders as it relates to meeting content, planning, and logistics.
• Assist with site selection, request for proposal development, and contract negotiations.
• Coordination of pre and post event registration process. This includes organizing tracking and sharing event RSVP lists and updating post event attendee lists. Working with CVENT where applicable to manage online event registration websites and email communications.
• Coordination of meeting and event logistics, including food and beverage, audio visual, technology, transportation, and other related requirements.
• Assist in preparation and final production of an/all event specific materials including nametags and event giveaways, etc.
• Coordinate budget preparation and management, including preparation of cost estimates, managing meeting related expenses, and post event analysis and reporting.
• Serve in an onsite event production capacity for an/all needs related to onsite support including registration table staffing, coordination with on-site AV vendors, etc.
• Coordinate post production event recaps including the generation of final attendance numbers, cost summaries and other post event data and reports.
• Coordinate invoice processing and budget reconciliation.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in event planning and a Bachelor's Degree.
• CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) or CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional) designation is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills are required. Capable of working under pressure with a positive attitude and calm demeanor.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong attention to detail is required.
• Outstanding project management skill, including the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines is required. Experienced with negotiating contracts, reducing potential liability and costs, and implementing contractual terms.
• Involvement with the hotel, hospitality, and travel industries through various associations, including the knowledge of meeting management, hotel operations, and travel programs.

Technologies/Software:

• MS Office
• CVENT

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.