Construction Disputes Associate Director

An excellent Associate Director opportunity in London for a Chartered Quantity Surveyor seeking to develop a specialist career in construction disputes and Expert Witness work.

This hybrid-working role offers direct one-to-one training from an experienced Expert Witness, with a clear opportunity to develop the skills and experience required to become an Expert Witness in your own right.

The position could suit either an experienced construction disputes professional or a Chartered Senior Quantity Surveyor with some claims and disputes exposure who is ready to specialise further.

Project Details

The successful Associate Director will work within a specialist construction disputes and Expert Witness practice, acting as the lead assistant to a senior testifying Expert Witness.

Assignments are expected to involve complex construction and engineering disputes across the UK and internationally and may relate to arbitration, litigation, adjudication and other forms of dispute resolution.

The work will have a strong quantum and commercial focus and may involve analysing construction costs, valuations, variations, loss and expense, final accounts, defective works and other disputed commercial matters.

The consultancy advises on disputes across a wide range of sectors including building, infrastructure, roads, rail, water, power, residential, commercial and other major construction and engineering projects.

This position provides particularly valuable exposure for a Chartered Quantity Surveyor who wants to move further into construction claims, quantum analysis and Expert Witness work.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Associate Director will work directly with an experienced Expert Witness and take an important role in the investigation, analysis and preparation of quantum Expert Witness commissions.

You will progressively take responsibility for significant elements of disputes while receiving direct one-to-one guidance and support.

Responsibilities are likely to include:

• Acting as the lead assistant to the appointed Quantum Expert Witness on construction disputes.
• Undertaking detailed quantum analysis of construction costs, accounts, variations, valuations, payments and other financial matters in dispute.
• Reviewing contemporaneous project records, contracts, correspondence, cost information and other relevant documentation.
• Assisting with the preparation of independent Expert Witness reports for arbitration, litigation, adjudication and other dispute resolution proceedings.
• Preparing clear, well-reasoned written analysis that can be incorporated into expert reports and submissions.
• Assessing construction claims relating to loss and expense, variations, defective works, final accounts and other commercial matters.
• Identifying relevant evidence and establishing robust links between project records and quantum conclusions.
• Assisting the Expert Witness in responding to questions from solicitors, barristers and clients.
• Supporting the preparation of joint statements and other documentation required during formal dispute resolution proceedings.
• Assisting with meetings involving clients, solicitors, counsel and other expert witnesses.
• Developing sound and impartial professional opinions based on the available evidence.
• Managing substantial elements of individual commissions with increasing autonomy as experience develops.
• Supporting and mentoring more junior consultants where appropriate.
• Developing the technical, analytical and report-writing skills required to progress towards acting as an appointed Expert Witness in your own right.

Desired Skills and Experience

This Associate Director position would suit a commercially strong Chartered Quantity Surveyor who has developed a genuine interest in construction claims and disputes and wants to build a long-term career within the specialist dispute resolution and Expert Witness sector.

Candidates already working for a construction disputes consultancy are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Desired experience includes:

• Experience operating at Senior Quantity Surveyor, Managing Quantity Surveyor, Commercial Manager or equivalent level.
• Some previous exposure to construction claims, disputes, contentious final accounts or contractual matters.
• Previous specialist construction disputes or quantum consultancy experience would be highly advantageous but is not essential for suitably experienced Chartered Quantity Surveyors.
• Strong understanding of construction costs, valuations, variations, loss and expense and final account matters.
• Ability to analyse large volumes of construction project documentation and identify commercially significant information.
• Excellent written English and the ability to produce precise, logical and persuasive reports.
• Strong numerical and analytical ability.
• An enquiring and forensic approach to construction and commercial issues.
• Ability to distinguish between fact, assumption and professional opinion when analysing disputed matters.
• Confidence working with senior clients, solicitors, barristers and other construction professionals.
• A genuine ambition to develop a specialist career in construction dispute resolution and ultimately progress towards becoming an Expert Witness.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• A degree or equivalent qualification in Quantity Surveying or another relevant construction discipline is strongly preferred.
• Chartered status with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS or FRICS) is strongly preferred.
• Candidates should ideally be experienced Chartered Senior Quantity Surveyors or equivalent commercial professionals.
• A postgraduate qualification in Construction Law, Dispute Resolution, Arbitration or a related subject would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Membership of professional organisations connected with arbitration, adjudication or Expert Witness work would also be beneficial.

Employing Company Overview and Profile

Maxim Recruitment is assisting a specialist construction consultancy with the recruitment of an Associate Director into its construction disputes and Expert Witness team.

The employer has provided construction and commercial consultancy services for approximately three decades and delivers both project advisory and specialist dispute services. Its dispute professionals advise employers, contractors and legal teams on construction claims and formal dispute resolution matters in the UK and internationally.

Services include claim preparation and defence, quantum analysis, adjudication, arbitration, mediation, litigation and Expert Witness appointments. Senior members of the consultancy include highly experienced Chartered Quantity Surveyors and established testifying experts with experience across major building and infrastructure disputes.

A particularly attractive feature of this position is the opportunity to work closely with an established Expert Witness and receive focused one-to-one training and professional development.

A full client overview will be given to shortlisted candidates.