Associate Director, Technical Operations

Kirkland & Ellis; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 215,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks an Associate Director of Technical Operations to lead eDiscovery initiatives and enhance technology solutions. This pivotal role involves collaborating with various teams to optimize workflows, implement innovative practices, and ensure a human-centered customer experience. The ideal candidate will have over a decade of experience in eDiscovery, strong leadership qualities, and exceptional communication skills. Join a dynamic team where your contributions will drive meaningful change and innovation in legal technology. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of technical operations within a top-tier law firm, making a real impact in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare

Paid time off

Retirement benefits

Personal support programs

Tailored learning opportunities

Qualifications

• 10+ years delivering eDiscovery solutions in various roles.
• Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Support eDiscovery project implementation and technology solutions.
• Foster team culture and ensure effective communication.

Skills

eDiscovery solutions

project coordination

communication skills

organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Relativity

Reveal

BrainSpace

Excel

Job description

Associate Director, Technical Operations

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. 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 over 6,500 employees (including approximately 4,000 lawyers) operating from 21 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 Associate Director of Technical Operations will join a team of directors, advisors and technologists all focused on delivering unparalleled discovery, data science, trial technology and presentation design services to firm case teams and clients.

This key role will support projects focused on assessing and implementing eDiscovery, and other practice-focused technology solutions. Equally critical is a drive to ensure that a human-centered customer experience is maintained and, ideally, elevated through application of design-thinking and similar principles.

As a member of the leadership team, the Associate Director will also support initiatives aimed at advancing technical operations quality assurance practices, standard operating procedures, process documentation management, functional automation, and technological innovation.

The Associate Director of Technical Operations (AD) reports to the Head of Litigation & Practice Technology (LPT).

Process & Operating Model Optimization

In collaboration with other LPT leadership and IT partners, the AD will focus on process enhancement initiatives designed to optimize and document internal team workflows and service delivery methodologies.

The AD will also have responsibility for ensuring policies and procedures related to Risk Management and Security Governance are understood, documented and reinforced with team members.

Technology Assessment & Rollout

The AD will collaborate closely with LPT leadership, IT, Risk and Security partners to assess current and future technology needs of practice teams and LPT. Key projects will include market assessments, internal requirements gathering, and participation in cross-functional teams to execute piloting, implementation, and rollout of selected technologies.

The AD will co-own procurement activities working with LPT leadership, IT, and outside parties to review and maintain application and service agreements and licensing.

Additionally, the AD will work in coordination with existing training and change management teams to ensure firm attorneys and paralegals receive clear communications and training to support their awareness, adoption, and ongoing use of available technology solutions.

Team Development and Projects

The AD will join a leadership team dedicated to modeling and fostering a team culture of open, constructive communication and cross-team collaboration.

The role will collaborate with other leadership team members to support development needs for the technical operations team, including identifying and coordinating training opportunities with an emphasis on future-forward technology, innovation, and technical consulting workflows.

The AD will also contribute to annual review evaluations and provide team coaching and support as needed.

Strategic Initiative Support

The AD may support team and firm-wide initiatives and special projects focused on practice technology rollout and change management, emerging technology assessment (e.g., GenAI) and other process improvements.

LPT leadership may adjust or assign responsibilities within the context of this role to support the Firm and our clients as required.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required

Candidates will have spent 10+ years of their career delivering eDiscovery solutions in one or more of a variety of roles (e.g., at a law firm, advisory firm, service provider, in-house legal team or technology company).

This experience should include advanced knowledge of core eDiscovery workflows and platforms (Relativity, Reveal), analytics and TAR use cases (BrainSpace, RevealAI) as well as a proven track record of technological problem-solving in a team context.

Candidates will have 3 or more years’ experience coordinating or supervising projects focused on the implementation of legal industry technology and the work of others. The AD should have an interest and aptitude for fostering the growth of high-performing teams and enjoy full team and one-on-one team member engagement. This must include an ability to identify and resolve conflicts and performance concerns directly, honestly, and respectfully.

This position requires a high level of collaboration with administrative teams, attorneys, paralegals, and other firm leadership; therefore, the ideal candidate must possess strong communication skills and interact with people at all levels with a high degree of accuracy, professionalism, and accountability.

Candidates must possess exceptional organizational skills, coupled with good judgment and the ability to independently define and make progress on action items. Concurrently, they must demonstrate a commitment to consensus building and an ability to stay aligned with and meet directives set forth by leadership.

Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred

Experience with PMO design and management, multi-phased strategic planning, and leveraging common project management tools and frameworks.

Data analytics skills, including proficiency in Excel, and other data reporting tools.

Strong presentation design skills combined with comfort in delivering in-person presentations and updates.

Data Science and programming experience a plus but not necessary.

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Kirkland & Ellis, we consider compensation more than just a base salary. We offer an exceptional range of flexible benefits including comprehensive healthcare, paid time off, and retirement. We also offer personal support and tailored learning and development opportunities all designed to help you realize your full potential both in life and at work.

Compensation Range:

Chicago: $215,000 - $255,000

New York City: $215,000 - $275,000

How to Apply

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