Transactional Business Development Specialist

About the role

Kirkland & Ellis is a global law firm known for setting the standard for legal excellence. Our culture is built on teamwork, ingenuity, and a commitment to continuous growth. We serve clients globally and are committed to driving business, investment, and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, edit, and finalize customized presentations, pitch decks, and RFP responses that reflect Kirkland’s market leadership in M&A/Private Equity.
• Serve as a go-to resource for the Firm’s M&A credentials, ensuring accurate data entry and insights from league tables and internal databases.
• Maintain and enhance practice descriptions, attorney bios, brochures, PowerPoint templates, and rankings.
• Prepare strategic reports on prospects, industries, and competitors to support client targeting and market positioning.
• Agregate and interpret key metrics for internal and external stakeholders to inform BD strategies.
• Build trusted relationships across MBD, Transactional practice teams, and firmwide departments to deliver coordinated and effective results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• 5+ years of experience in M&A/Private Equity, business development, financial services, or professional services project management.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills – ability to engage with senior stakeholders and deliver polished, client-ready materials.
• Exceptional project management and organization – skilled at juggling competing priorities under tight deadlines.
• Critical thinking and initiative – capable of working independently and navigating ambiguity to move projects forward.
• Technical proficiency – fluency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with research tools (e.g., Mergermarket, Bloomberg, PitchBook) and CRM platforms like InterAction or Salesforce.
• Attention to detail and data accuracy – meticulous approach to editing, proofing, and database upkeep.
• Professional presence and discretion – comfort working with confidential and high-stakes information.

Qualifications

• Experience in M&A/Private Equity, business development, financial services, or professional services project management.
• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with research tools (e.g., Mergermarket, Bloomberg, PitchBook).
• CRM platform experience (e.g., InterAction or Salesforce).
• Confidence in handling confidential and high-stakes information.

Skills

• Strategic pitching and client materials creation.
• Client relationship management.
• Data analysis and reporting.
• Project management and organization.
• Communication and relationship-building skills.
• Attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Research and intelligence preparation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare.
• Paid time off.
• Retailment.

Pay

The base salary range for this position in Chicago is $90,000 - $110,000.

Schedule

Flexible work schedule to accommodate the needs of the candidate and the firm.

Contact

To apply, please click "Apply Now." For more information about Kirkland & Ellis, visit our website.