Senior Director, Construction Disputes & Advisory: Engineer

Ankura • Chicago, MD

1d

About The Position

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth. Practice Overview: Ankura's Professional Liability & Defective Construction (PLDC) subgroup delivers sophisticated expert services to resolve complex construction disputes. Our multidisciplinary team combines deep industry expertise (Architects, Engineers, and Contractors) with advanced analytical capabilities to provide independent professional opinions, focusing on liability, standard of care, defective construction, and remedial protocols. We offer robust analysis and compelling expert testimony across some of the world's largest capital projects. Role Overview: Lead and serve as the primary testifying expert on high-profile construction disputes, claims, and litigation matters, focusing on design and construction defect analysis and Standard of Care for General Contractors and other parties. Value Proposition: This role offers the opportunity to establish your legacy as a definitive testifying expert, lead high-performing teams, and directly impact multi-million-dollar dispute resolutions by providing objective, credible, and defensible conclusions in court, arbitration panels, and dispute resolution boards. This position is located near an Ankura office anywhere in the U.S., with a strong preference for candidates in the Eastern or Central Time Zone.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 10+ years of progressive experience in construction/engineering, with at least 5-8 years of dedicated disputes/forensic consulting experience focused on construction defects, liability, and claims.
• Proven history as an Active Testifying Expert (deponent and trial/arbitration witness) on construction defect and standard of care matters.
• Deep technical proficiency in building codes, construction methods, and materials science, commensurate with a senior General Contractor background.
• Experience with forensic analysis techniques related to construction deficiencies and remedial repair protocols.
• Exceptional analytical, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex technical concepts to diverse, non-technical audiences (judges/juries).
• Experience managing client relationships and leading project teams.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Professional certifications (PE, RA, CCM, or equivalent) are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed, after-the-fact evaluations of Design and Construction Deficiencies and Defects, Water Infiltration/Intrusion, and Standard of Care for general contractors and design professionals.
• Serve as the Testifying Expert in depositions, mediations, and trial, presenting complex technical and causation findings in a clear, concise, and objective manner.
• Direct and perform forensic analysis of pertinent design and construction documentation to determine contractual liability and cause-and-effect relationships between project events and alleged defects.
• Develop remedial repair protocols and evaluate the cost and schedule implications of defective work and defects analysis.
• Oversee data-gathering activities, including document review and supervising the quality control of technical work product.
• Supervise and mentor project personnel, including analysts and less experienced associates.
• Lead engagement work planning, proposals, budgeting, and client communications for senior-level review.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees