Associate Director – Quantum

An established Sydney, Australia based claims and disputes consultancy is seeking an Associate Director in Quantum to carry out exciting and complex commissions.

Ideally, you will be experienced in the preparation of quantum expert witness reports as a lead assistant and has the desire to take the next step to becoming an expert witness.

It is critical that the successful candidate has extremely strong writing skills and have prior experience of drafting / writing expert reports for formal disputes. This is something that you will be asked to demonstrate at the interview process.

In return you will join a bespoke highly reputable consultancy based in Sydney, Australia. You will work out of stylish offices overlooking the iconic Sydney Harbour area. The business offers a genuine consultative service to their clients providing advice on commercial and contractual strategy, claims management and advice on dispute resolution.

They have a strong client base throughout Australia and New Zealand and due to an increase in work in the Australasia region and they will actively work with you to provide you with the support and opportunities to become an expert witness and become a Director.

Project Details

You will be exposed to a broad range of interesting and challenging work, dealing with complex claims and disputes.

As an Associate Director, you will work on a variety of infrastructure and construction projects and be exposed to a wide range of claim types and expert witness work. Along with doing expert work, you will be working on live projects and helping clients prepare and evaluate claims.

The position necessitates a hands-on attitude to work and the capacity to consult in a clear and succinct way.

Responsibilities and Duties

Your role will see you:

• interpreting specifications, drawings, plans, construction methods and procedures and identifying opportunism for claims for clients
• identifying and gathering evidence for analysis work
• drafting contractual correspondence and providing contract administration and commercial management advice
• preparing expert reports and delivering expert testimony
• working with client project teams, delay analysts, lawyers and a range of other professionals on both expert and claims work.
• managing teams of client representatives and other professionals to provide advice and prepare claims;
• Managing dispute resolution processes (including by working with external legal professionals), including mediation, expert determination and preparing adjudication applications and responses under security of payment legislation.

 In addition to your technical skills, you will also:

• Undertake marketing and business development activities to expand the Company’s client base;
• Foster existing client relationships;
• Undertake other business development activities, including preparing and delivering seminars and attending industry events.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Successful candidates will have around 15 years of experience in the construction industry, either working for a PQS firm, claims consultancy or a competitor expert witness consultancy.
• A strong working knowledge of legal and quantum principles.
• Experience in forensic analysis and the preparation of quantum reports dealing with the costing of variations, delay costs, disruption costs and related contractual cost claims
• It is critical that the successful candidate has extremely strong writing skills and have prior experience of drafting / writing expert reports for formal disputes.
• A CV demonstrating frequent and continued exposure in recent years to formal disputes such as adjudication, arbitration or litigation.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills (experience using tools such as PowerBI and graphical tools well regarded, but not essential)
• Excellent client facing skills and a proven ability to foster client relationships.
• Excellent analytical problem solving skills and attention to detail;
• Proven ability to work autonomously and as part of a team, and support/train junior staff.
• A desire to network, build your professional profile and establish relationships with existing and new clients.
• Prior local experience in the Australia and/or New Zealand market. Only candidates that have Australian Citizenship or PR will be considered.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• A construction-related degree is essential.
• Achieved or working towards a Masters in construction law or similar subject is highly desirable
• A relevant professional membership to a globally recognised organisation such as the RICS or similar equivalent would be advantageous but is not essential

Employing Company Overview and Profile

The hiring company is a growing provider of specialist commercial advisory, claims management and dispute resolution services to the construction and infrastructure industries throughout Australia and New Zealand.

They are a small but growing boutique firm based in Sydney and with a strong client base in Australia and New Zealand. They pride themselves on providing a true consultative and advisory service to their clients.

The team is made of up industry experts with a wealth of experience in the claims and disputes sector. Successful candidates can expect to join a highly professional team that like to provide a very high level of service to their clients.

This position would suit candidates looking to join a supportive consultancy that will increase your professional profile, generating fee earning work and progress your career to become an industry-leading expert witness.

A full client overview will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

The salary for this role is negotiable dependant on the skills, experience and opportunities that a candidate can bring to the business. As a guide, however the salary is likely to be in the region of:
$220-250K basic

+ Highly Competitive Bonus Scheme