M&A Business Development Specialist

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. About the Practice In 2025, Kirkland surpassed $1 trillion in aggregate M&A value with our Strategic M&A practice driving many of the market's most consequential deals. Consistently ranked at the top of industry league tables, our attorneys are trusted advisors on the most prominent public company matters including buy- and sell-side transactions, shareholder activism and corporate governance. Recent market-leading representations include an investor consortium in the $55B acquisition of Electronic Arts, the largest take private in history; Warner Bros. Discovery in its separation into two publicly traded companies; Kimberly Clark in its $48.7B acquisition of Kenvue; Southwest Airlines in resolving Elliott Management's unprecedented special meeting proxy contest; and Walgreens Boots Alliance in its $23.7B sale to Sycamore Partners, the largest retail M&A transaction ever. What You'll Do Kirkland & Ellis is seeking an experienced Specialist in New York to support the Firm's leading Public Company M&A practice as part of the Marketing & Business Development (MBD) Department. The MBD Department operates from a team-first position and values honesty, diligence and open communication. You'll have success in this role by collaborating effectively with team members (including seeking help and asking questions when needed), developing familiarity with the Firm's various resources and systems, honing your instincts to anticipate questions and potential issues, independently managing your time, and continuously striving for improvement - in both your own work product and as part of our larger team. You will report to the Business Development Associate Director and work closely with other team members that support the Transactional practices. You will also communicate and collaborate regularly with an international team of problem-solvers and advisers dedicated to the broader BD, research, marketing and communications efforts of the Firm. Strategic Business Development Support - Help execute marketing and business development strategies for the Firmwide Public Company M&A practice to protect, strengthen and grow client relationships. Client-Facing Materials & Pitches - Produce bespoke pitch materials, presentations and responses to requests for proposals (RFPs), including compiling, proofreading, editing, formatting and finalizing documents to exacting standards. Legal Directory Submissions - Coordinate and manage submissions to legal directories to enhance individual attorney and Firm rankings. Market & Competitive Intelligence - Conduct research and prepare intelligence reports on clients, prospective clients, competitors and target industries to inform strategy and outreach. Data Analysis & Reporting - Compile, interpret, analyze and export data in response to requests from multiple internal stakeholders and departments. Public Company M&A Expertise - Serve as a resource on the Firm's public company matters, maintaining a strong working knowledge of the Firm's internal M&A database and external data platforms. Cross-Functional Collaboration - Build effective working relationships with Transactional Business Development & Marketing leads, functional specialists, practice teams and administrative departments across the Firm. What You'll Bring Background - Bachelor's degree required; with 5+ years of professional experience, with a background in M&A, marketing and business development, financial services and/or project management preferred. Communication & Client Service - Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong client-service mindset and the ability to interact confidently with senior attorneys, clients and internal partners. Project Management & Organization - Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality work with meticulous attention to detail. Analytical & Narrative Skills - Ability to synthesize complex financial, legal and market data into clear, persuasive narratives and client-ready materials. Initiative & Judgment - Comfort operating independently in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, exercising sound judgment and discretion around sensitive matters. Collaborative Mindset - A team-oriented approach with the ability to take direction, incorporate feedback and build trust across functions. Technical Proficiency - Strong command of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel), experience with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools (Salesforce) and familiarity with market intelligence platforms (Deal Point Data, Mergermarket, Bloomberg, LSEG Workspace and S&P Capital IQ). Compensation The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in New York. 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: New York: $95,000 - $116,000 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 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-brid #LI-MP1

Created: 2026-03-10