What You'll Do

Are you a skilled negotiator who thrives on building strategic partnerships, securing exceptional value, and navigating complex hospitality contracts?

Kirkland & Ellis is seeking a Senior Travel & Trials Sourcing Manager within the Travel, Meetings & Events (TME) team of the Firm's Marketing & Business Development (MBD) department. In this highly visible role, you will serve as the Firm's subject matter expert for hotel sourcing, negotiations and contracting, helping support some of the Firm's most critical litigation and high-profile events. Partnering closely with attorneys, litigation teams and event professionals, you will develop sourcing strategies, negotiate complex agreements, and secure hotel accommodations, meeting space and related services that align with the Firm's business objectives. This role offers an opportunity to leverage your negotiation expertise, business judgment, and relationship-building skills to drive value, reduce risk, and deliver exceptional outcomes across a wide range of trial, travel and event initiatives.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Travel, Trials & Events, you'll collaborate with colleagues across the Firm's global BD, research, marketing and communications functions. The MBD team operates from a team-first mindset and values honesty, diligence, collaboration, and open communication.

• Lead Hotel Sourcing & Contracting: Own the end-to-end hotel sourcing and contracting process for trial-related travel, internal meetings and external events.
• Develop Strategic Sourcing Strategies: Create and manage Requests for Proposal (RFPs), evaluate supplier responses, and provide strategic recommendations based on pricing, availability, service levels, concessions, contractual terms and overall value.
• Negotiate Complex Agreements: Lead negotiations related to guest room rates, room blocks, meeting space, food and beverage commitments, attrition, cancellation terms, force majeure, indemnification, liability and payment provisions.
• Protect the Firm's Interests: Utilize standard hotel agreements and contracting practices to reduce financial and contractual risk while ensuring favorable business terms.
• Support High-Stakes Trial Activity: Partner closely with litigation teams to secure accommodations, meeting space, hospitality areas, workrooms and related requirements in fast-moving trial environments.
• Enable Successful Events: Collaborate with event planners to source and contract hotel accommodations and meeting space for internal programs, client-facing events, leadership meetings and Firm-sponsored gatherings.
• Build Strategic Supplier Partnerships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with hotel brands, hospitality groups and key suppliers to enhance service, responsiveness and long-term value.
• Advise Internal Stakeholders: Serve as a trusted consultant on hotel selection, pricing strategies, contractual terms, risk exposure, concessions and supplier recommendations.
• Manage Contract Performance: Track deadlines, deposits, room block commitments, attrition exposure, cancellation provisions and other key contractual obligations.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Develop tools, best practices and operational efficiencies that create consistency and improve the Firm's hotel sourcing and contracting processes.
• Deliver Cost Savings & Value: Leverage hotel volume, market knowledge, and supplier relationships to identify opportunities for enhanced concessions, improved contract terms and cost optimization.
• Stay Ahead of Industry Trends: Monitor hotel industry developments, hospitality best practices and meeting management trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and decision-making.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree required with CMP (Certified Meeting Professional), CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional), or related industry certifications are a plus; 7+ years of responsible experience in hotel sourcing and contracting meetings, events, hospitality, or a related field, with demonstrated experience independently negotiating hotel agreements.
• Negotiation Expertise: Deep knowledge of hotel contracting, including room blocks, meeting space, concessions, attrition, cancellation clauses, force majeure, indemnification, liability and financial terms.
• Business & Financial Acumen: Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate proposals, assess risk, negotiate favorable outcomes and make sound business recommendations.
• Relationship Management: Proven ability to build credibility and maintain productive relationships with suppliers, attorneys, event professionals and other stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact confidently and professionally with attorneys, clients, external partners and colleagues at all levels and clearly explain contractual considerations, recommendations, and business impacts.
• Organization & Project Management: Ability to manage multiple complex negotiations, contracts and priorities simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Problem Solving & Judgment: Demonstrated ability to navigate challenging situations, resolve conflicts diplomatically and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Industry Knowledge: Understanding of hotel operations, hospitality programs, meeting management practices and travel industry trends.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, Teams and Copilot; experience with Cvent.

If you're passionate about strategic negotiations, building trusted partnerships, solving business challenges and delivering exceptional outcomes in this Senior Travel & Trials Sourcing Manager role, we'd love to hear from you!

Compensation

The base salary range below represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in Chicago. 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:

Chicago: $153,000 - $191,000

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.