About Kirkland & Ellis At Kirkland & Ellis, we don't just meet the standard for legal excellence - we set it. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity and an unwavering commitment to continuous growth. We tackle the most sophisticated legal challenges with bold ideas and innovative solutions, powered by the exceptional experience and ambition of our 7,000+ people, including 4,000+ attorneys, across 22 offices worldwide. Our dedicated professionals share our lawyers' commitment to excellence and show up each day to do meaningful work that helps drive global business, investment and innovation forward.
What You'll Do The RoleAre you a strategic HR leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance environment? Do you excel at guiding people-first strategies while delivering white-glove support across teams? Kirkland & Ellis is seeking an experienced, relationship-driven Associate Director of Human Resources to lead our HR function in the Bay Area with oversight of our Salt Lake City team. This is a high-impact opportunity for a confident HR professional who is energized by both big-picture strategy and day-to-day execution. As a trusted advisor to both our Firm's partners and staff leaders, you'll collaborate across departments to attract, support, and retain exceptional talent. If you have deep HR knowledge, a strong business mindset, and a passion for building engaged, high-performing teams, we'd love to hear from you. In this dynamic leadership role, you'll:
- Oversee the full employee lifecycle, from onboarding to performance management and offboarding, ensuring a best-in-class experience for staff and attorneys alike.
- Serve as the primary HR leader and business partner for the Bay Area and Salt Lake City offices, advising local leadership and collaborating closely with Firmwide Talent and Centers of Expertise.
- Manage a high-performing local HR team-including assistants, coordinators, specialists, and supervisors-through mentorship, development, and thoughtful delegation.
- Guide employee relations matters with care and sound judgment, partnering with stakeholders to support a fair and balanced workplace.
- Champion talent acquisition efforts by aligning recruiting strategies with business needs and collaborating closely with the Firmwide TA team.
- Lead key processes such as performance evaluations, compensation administration, and career development planning in partnership with the Senior Director of Administration and Firmwide HR leaders.
- Foster a positive and inclusive culture by supporting staff engagement initiatives and ensuring alignment with Kirkland's high service standards.
What You'll Bring We're looking for a seasoned, strategic HR professional with:
- A bachelor's degree; PHR or SHRM-CP certification preferred.
- At least 10 years of progressive HR experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role within a professional services or similarly complex environment.
- Deep knowledge of employment law (federal and local) and a strong foundation in employee relations, compliance, and HR best practices.
- Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, develop talent, and drive organizational change.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills-you inspire trust, handle sensitive issues discreetly, and build relationships across all levels.
- A proactive, analytical mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement and strategic impact.
- Proficiency with HRIS platforms and data-driven decision-making.
At Kirkland, people are our greatest asset. This role offers the opportunity to lead with purpose, make meaningful impact, and help shape the employee experience at one of the world's leading law firms.
Compensation The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in the Bay Area. 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:
- Bay Area: $205,000 - $225,000
How to Apply Thank you for your interest in Kirkland & Ellis LLP. To complete an application and submit your resume, please click Apply Now. Don't meet every job requirement? That's okay! If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't perfectly fit every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right person for this role or others at Kirkland.
Equal Employment Opportunity The Firm will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records and criminal histories consistent with local laws. 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. #LI-H ybrid #LI-NK1