Project Details
The Delay Director will play a key role in leading, managing and contributing to delay expert commissions within the forensic expert witness team. This will involve developing and discussing solutions, presenting findings internally and externally, and driving efficiency, value creation and best use of resources across the team.
The successful candidate may also take on their own appointments, including expert, contentious and non-contentious matters, either independently or in collaboration with the wider team, ensuring effective delivery and senior oversight.
Typical assignments are likely to relate to formal dispute resolution proceedings including litigation, arbitration and adjudication. In addition, the Delay Director will provide strategic advice in relation to live projects, commercial negotiations, settlement discussions and mediations in both the UK and international markets.
Responsibilities and Duties
1. Represent the consultancy in dispute resolution proceedings
2. Act as the appointed expert or as lead assistant to the primary Delay Expert on major disputes
3. Prepare high-quality expert reports and supporting delay analysis
4. Lead and contribute to complex expert witness assignments from inception through to resolution
5. Participate in senior leadership meetings and help shape team strategy
6. Support business development activity and help promote the consultancy’s brand and services to clients and potential recruits
7. Build personal market profile and work towards further establishing a reputation as a testifying expert
8. Oversee team administration and resource planning where required
9. Support, mentor and develop junior and mid-level team members
10. Deliver strategic delay and forensic planning advice to clients, legal teams and other stakeholders
11. Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal processes, technical standards and service delivery
Desired Skills and Experience
12. Highly competent in drafting expert reports and presenting clear, well-supported delay opinion
13. Previous appointment in an expert witness capacity and or experience acting as number two to a lead expert on multiple occasions
14. Strong background across a variety of construction and engineering sectors, dispute types and delay matters
15. Experience working on major high-value disputes
16. Ideally able to demonstrate a track record of securing expert witness appointments
17. Testimony experience would be advantageous, although this is not essential
18. Excellent client-facing skills and the ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships
19. Strong commercial awareness and the ability to provide strategic advice on complex matters
20. Confident communicator with the credibility to operate at senior level with clients, solicitors, counsel and industry experts
21. Strong leadership capability with experience mentoring and developing others
Qualifications/Educational Requirements
22. Degree qualified in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Law or another relevant subject
23. Ideally Chartered with a relevant professional institution such as CIOB, ICE, RICS or similar
24. Additional specialist qualifications are advantageous but not essential
Employing Company Overview and Profile
The hiring company is a leading advisory and expert witness consultancy operating within a wider multidisciplinary professional services group. The business provides expert advisory and forensic expert witness services to the construction and infrastructure sectors, supporting clients across the full dispute lifecycle, from early dispute avoidance and strategic commercial advice through to formal proceedings including adjudication, arbitration and litigation.
The team is recognised for delivering clear, robust and well-evidenced delay analysis on complex and high-value matters, often working alongside solicitors, counsel and other technical experts. The organisation offers an excellent platform for career progression, high-quality training and a collaborative working culture that supports ongoing professional development, including chartership and further study such as MSc and LLM programmes.
A full client overview will be provided to suitable candidates.
Additional Benefits Package and Incentives
25. Competitive salary up to £160,000 depending on experience
26. Annual bonus
27. Pension
28. Private medical cover
29. Life cover
30. Professional membership fees paid
31. Flexible working and ability to work from home