F/T - Business Intelligence Analyst - Kirkland and Ellis

KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP

We have an opening for a Business Intelligence Analyst in the Firm's Business Development Department.  Successful candidate will be responsible for producing reports that support client development and retention, client proposals, RFP responses and other business development efforts.

Ideal candidate will have a degree in Library & Information Studies/Science from an ALA-accredited institution and 1-3 years experience in the field of competitive and business intelligence.  Investment banking, law library or law firm, or other professional services experience strongly preferred. Candidate must have strong technical skills and organizational skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, ability to interact with diverse groups of people and proven customer service skills.  

Essential Job Functions

1. Conduct specialized research to prepare targeted prospect lists and profiles on companies, individuals and industries and synthesize the findings and implications in support of the Firm's business development initiatives.
2. Proactively monitor a variety of sources to identify potential prospects, as well as trends in the industry verticals and customer segments of interest to the Firm.
3. Develop a repeatable, scalable, sustainable process to locate, research and provide custom reports on prospects that highlight key findings.
4. Determine and efficiently navigate the most relevant resources from a variety of free and fee-based sources to gather the requested information (e.g. Factiva, BoardEx, Lexis/Nexis, Capital IQ, ThomsonOne, Bloomberg, industry periodicals, etc.)
5. Build and maintain relationships with Firm partners and functional areas, and others to represent the Firm's strategic, business, and end-user objectives.
6. Help maintain Firm's proprietary databases that directly relate to targeted research initiatives (Microsoft SharePoint collaboration sites and CRM application).

Job Description

The Business Intelligence Analyst supports the relationship building efforts of the Firm's partners and the Business Development Department by providing actionable information and research on targeted prospects that align with the Firm's strategic priorities. This individual is charged with understanding the business development needs of the Firm's various practice groups and the Business Development team and insuring that resources and deliverables meet those needs. The Business Intelligence Analyst has experience in the areas of information sources and research in a corporate setting. S/he works on a multidisciplinary team across the enterprise (including Marketing Systems, Technology, Library and other business information providers) to deliver research and information to client-facing professionals. The Business Intelligence Analyst has a primary reporting line to the New York Business Development Director and a secondary reporting line to the Marketing Systems Associate Director in Chicago. The individual will:

• Conduct in-depth research and analysis of individuals, companies, industries, technologies, marketplaces, and competitors to uncover key, actionable information and insights; summarize into crisp, compelling deliverables.
• Produce and package industry, economic and other business intelligence work product to increase awareness of firm challenges and opportunities.
• Provide succinct, meaningful recommendations to help inform the business development and marketing strategy.
• Prepare competitive and "on demand" market research, including prospective client or industry analysis, and presentation of internal data and trends.
• Monitor various news/intelligence sources for business development and market visibility opportunities; circulate information to appropriate staff/lawyers and track results of same.
• Assist in the monitoring and tracking of referrals within various practice groups.
• Coordinate with internal personnel as needed to stay abreast of trends and current technologies in research and information services; assist in the review of potential resources for business and intelligence reporting.
• Provide regular status reports on research activities and accomplishments.
• Other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to organize and manage a diverse range of assignments and projects and prioritize multiple tasks.

·         Strong analytical skills and experience with financial and business processes/concepts.

• Proficiency in methods of information acquisition, including the use of online information databases, tools and resources as well as traditional research resources with a proven track record in developing competitive intelligence strategies and achieving results.

·         Understands dynamics and structure of capital markets, with specific reference to M&A, corporate finance and private equity.

• MLIS or MLS degree with 1-3 years of relevant experience, preferably in the legal industry. Prior experience in prospect research is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills necessary to maintain effective relationships with internal and external partners.

·         Excellent client service orientation and listening skills, be comfortable interacting with Firm leadership and key department personnel, and possess diplomacy, enthusiasm and a sense of humor.

·         Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment, with strong skills in written/verbal communication, organizational ability, project management, prioritization and dealing with ambiguity

• Working knowledge of research tools including but not limited to BoardEx, Capital IQ, ThomsonOne, Hoover's, Pitchbook, CRM, Factiva, Lexis-Nexis, WestLaw, etc.
• Ability to thrive in an electronic environment and utilize technology to deliver information.
• Strong skills in MS Office software with expertise in Microsoft SharePoint, Excel and Access a plus.

Core Competencies

Research Skills	Utilize internal and external research tools to obtain information for various projects.
Organizational Skills	Prioritize and manage a diverse range of simultaneous assignments.
Information Seeking	Ascertain appropriate avenues, both internally and externally, for obtaining information to respond to a request or solve a problem.
Accuracy, Quality and Order	Ensure work product meets or exceeds Kirkland quality standards for accuracy and presentation.
Client Service	Interact effectively with Firm leadership and key department personnel with ability to respond in a timely fashion.
Planning and Goal Setting	Set ambitious and realistic goals with careful planning of resources. Meet critical deadlines.
Technical Expertise	Proficient use of MS Office software, including SharePoint and Access and working knowledge of research tools including but not limited to BoardEx, Capital IQ, ThomsonOne, Hoover’s, Pitchbook, CRM, Factiva, Lexis-Nexis, WestLaw, etc. Facility for learning new software.
Written Communication	Selects appropriate approach, style, media and timing and content for written communications.
Oral Communication	Speaks clearly and concisely with people of different levels, internally and externally, from senior partners and Business Development Staff to other administrative personnel and vendors. Listens effectively.
Relationship Building	Works to build channels of communication and shared goals with Firm attorneys, colleagues and external contacts.
Teamwork	Build positive and supportive relationships with a wide range of customers - attorneys, clients, admin staff and Business Development colleagues.
Problem Solving	Think quickly in deadline situations, find appropriate avenues for resolution, and be able to weigh options to achieve the best outcome.
Conceptual Thinking	Devise innovative ideas for presentations and training programs.
Practice Expertise	Understand dynamics and structure of Firm’s core practice groups, with specific reference to capital markets, M&A, corporate finance and private equity.
Influence	Uses data and information to influence Firm leadership, attorneys and colleagues.

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 anyway 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.