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 24 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
Kirkland & Ellis is seeking a seasoned Senior Security Specialist to support and advance our security and life safety operations in our New York offices. This role is critical to ensuring the safety of our people, facilities, and operations while maintaining the highest standards of service and professionalism.
About the Role
Reporting to the NY Site Security Manager, the Senior Security Specialist plays a hands-on role in the daily execution of security programs and emergency preparedness initiatives. You will work closely with firm leadership, operations teams, vendors, and building management to maintain a secure, responsive, and resilient environment.
This position is primarily located at 900 Third Avenue, but you may be asked to provide occasional support at 601 Lexington Avenue.
Key Responsibilities
-
Support and maintain firm-wide security and life safety programs, including emergency preparedness and crisis response initiatives
-
Assist in emergency response situations (fire, medical incidents, workplace safety concerns, evacuations, etc.)
-
Conduct regular security assessments and inspections, identifying risks and recommending improvements
-
Manage and administer access control systems, including credential audits, clearance levels, and hardware programming
-
Issue, track, and manage employee and visitor access cards
-
Oversee security system vendors for maintenance, upgrades, and new installations (CCTV, access control, intrusion systems)
-
Perform system testing and troubleshooting to ensure optimal operation
-
Investigate and document security incidents, leveraging CCTV and internal systems to support findings
-
Coordinate security coverage for events and VIP visits, including vendor and off-duty law enforcement oversight
-
Partner with HR and internal teams to support employee safety, including escort services as needed
-
Build strong relationships with law enforcement, vendors, and internal stakeholders
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, or a related field
-
Minimum 5+ years of experience in corporate security, preferably within a professional services or corporate environment
Skills & Competencies
-
Strong understanding of high-rise building safety and OSHA regulations
-
Proven ability to assess risk and improve security systems and processes
-
Experience conducting investigations, interviews, and documentation
-
Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure
-
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
-
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
-
Ability to interact confidently with executives, clients, and VIPs
-
Flexible and responsive, including availability outside standard hours when needed
Technical Skills
-
Experience with CCure 9000 access control systems (preferred)
-
Experience with ExacqVision CCTV software (preferred)
-
Familiarity with Ontic (preferred)
-
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Certifications (Preferred)
-
ASIS certifications such as CPP or PSP
-
CPR/AED certification required; EMT certification preferred
Compensation
The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in New York City. 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 City: $76,000 - $105,000
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-Hybrid #LI-MK1
