Head of Construction Disputes

An excellent opportunity for an experienced construction disputes professional to establish and lead a new Disputes & Expert Advisory Division within a growing London consultancy.

This Head of Disputes role offers the chance to shape service delivery, lead complex claims and disputes work, grow a high-performing team, and drive business development in the London construction disputes market.

Project Details

The successful candidate will help clients across the construction and engineering sectors to manage complex contractual issues, avoid disputes where possible, and pursue robust resolution strategies when formal proceedings arise.

Typical assignments are expected to include construction claims, adjudication, arbitration, litigation support, expert advisory work, quantum analysis and delay analysis on high-value building, infrastructure and major project matters.

Responsibilities and Duties

This Head of Disputes job in London is a senior appointment for an established disputes professional with the credibility and leadership capability to build a new service line.

The successful candidate will be responsible for both technical delivery and the strategic growth of the disputes offering.

• Lead and grow a new Disputes & Expert Advisory Division, defining its strategic direction, service proposition and market positioning
• Oversee the preparation of expert reports, quantum analysis, delay analysis and supporting evidence for adjudication, arbitration and litigation proceedings
• Provide senior advice on contract entitlements, claims strategy, commercial management and dispute resolution options
• Guide and review the work of consultants to ensure reports and client deliverables are clear, accurate and of a high professional standard
• Act as a trusted adviser to clients, legal teams and other professional partners involved in formal disputes and contentious project matters
• Build, mentor and develop a high-performing disputes team as the division expands
• Support recruitment activity and help attract high-calibre construction disputes professionals into the business
• Drive business development through existing industry relationships, networking and repeat client engagement
• Contribute to the wider strategic growth of the consultancy in London and across the UK construction market
• Maintain strong technical standards across all disputes, claims and expert advisory assignments
• Represent the business in meetings, negotiations and senior-level discussions with clients and professional stakeholders

Desired Skills and Experience

This Head of Disputes role would suit a commercially minded construction disputes specialist with a strong background in claims, expert advisory, quantum and/or delay work. Previous leadership experience and the ability to generate confidence with clients and legal professionals will be important.

• Around 15 years or more of relevant experience in construction disputes, claims, expert advisory, quantum analysis or delay analysis
• Strong working knowledge of standard construction contracts including NEC, JCT, IChemE and FIDIC
• Proven experience leading teams and managing complex dispute matters from strategy through to delivery
• Excellent written English and strong verbal communication skills, including the preparation and review of high-quality reports
• Established client-facing capability and confidence dealing with solicitors, counsel, experts and senior commercial stakeholders
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to advise on contractual entitlement, claims positioning and dispute resolution strategy
• Demonstrable business development capability and a network of industry contacts that can support growth of the disputes division
• Ability to mentor, develop and inspire junior and mid-level team members
• Experience of working on major construction and engineering projects would be advantageous
• A background in commercial management, quantity surveying, planning, claims and dispute consultancy would be beneficial

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

Candidates for this Head of Disputes job should be professionally credible and able to demonstrate suitable construction, commercial or disputes-related qualifications.

• Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation is essential
• Degree qualified in Quantity Surveying, Construction Law, Engineering, Commercial Management, Project Management or a related discipline is preferred
• Further specialist qualifications in dispute resolution, arbitration, adjudication, expert witness practice or construction law would be advantageous

Employing Company Overview and Profile

Maxim Recruitment is working with a London-based specialist consultancy seeking to appoint a senior Head of Disputes to establish a dedicated disputes and expert advisory function.

 The business provides commercial, planning and risk-related support to the construction industry, with services including planning, change management, conflict avoidance, dispute resolution, contract review and training.

A full client overview will be given to shortlisted candidates.