Hybrid Delay Analyst: Forensic Construction Timelines

An Associate role within the delay analyst division of one of the most reputable construction disputes consultancies operating in London. This is a junior role within this business unit, and would likely suit candidates who have had some exposure to extension of time claims and a passion to move into a specialist Delay Analyst role supporting an expert witness. Your experience to date will likely have come in an engineering, project management or planning role for a traditional main contractor or consultancy.

In this role you will work alongside industry leading, Who’s Who Legal expert witnesses and support them in the forensic analysis relating to high profile, international disputes. The employer will allow you to split your time between being based in their stylish and spacious office based in the Bank area of London, and from home. The hiring company has a fantastic reputation for working on some of the largest, high-profile, international construction disputes. Whilst you will be working on international disputes, all work can realistically be carried out from a combination of the office and home. International travel is extremely rare.

The company largely offers expert witness services to a single party, or multiple parties involved in disputes which are preparing for dispute proceedings such as arbitration, litigation, and adjudication. Such disputes can relate to projects across all sectors of the construction industry, including building projects, civil engineering projects and oil & gas projects.

Within this role, you can expect to gain exposure to assisting an expert witness in carrying out forensic analysis relating to delays on projects across a variety of sectors.

The purpose of this role will be to provide high level support to the lead expert witness in carrying out forensic analysis on specific areas of a single or multiple disputes. It will allow candidates to use their experience and understanding of the construction process in an engineering, project management or planning role and develop your delay analysis skills. Your analysis will contribute to a wider expert report which the lead testifying expert will be creating throughout this process.

• Working closely under the guidance of the lead testifying expert to use varying methods of analysis required to analyse information relating to the dispute.
• You will often be given the task of looking into specific issue(s) or area(s) of the dispute to work on as your contribution to the expert analysis and report.
• To achieve this, you will be given clear instructions and guidance as to how to carry out the analysis and be left to your own initiative to conclude the task and report your findings.
• Due to the nature of the disputes relating to delays, you will often be required to look through programmes and schedules relating to the project, and where they are not available you may be required to create your own from information and data you can gather from the parties involved.
• There will also be a large part of the role that does not require the analysis of programmes and schedules. This may require you to look through other documents such as minutes to meetings, contracts, emails, spreadsheets, and other sources of information relating to the project and dispute.
• You will be required to present your findings in a variety of methods to accurately and clearly reflect the analysis and findings that you have carried out.

• A foundation of experience on large, complex projects spent as an engineer, project manager, planner or similar is essential.
• A good understanding of the technical side of projects and the standard methods of building.
• Familiar with different forms of delay analysis and experience of carrying out such analysis to either create claims or assess the validity of claims.
• Excellent level of spoken and written English; and an understanding of the importance of presenting work in a highly accurate manner.
• Methodical and analytical approach to work and the ability to forensically analyse large sections of data in varying forms.
• The ability to use common industry planning software such as Primavera P6, Asta Powerproject and MS Projects.
• Excellent IT skills and the ability to use MS Excel to a high level.
• Driven and ambitious, with a clear focus on developing your skills and experience in a specialist construction disputes focused role.

Additional qualifications and professional memberships relating to construction law could be advantageous but are not essential.

You will work as part of a team of circa 20 staff carrying out quantum and delay construction disputes out of their London office. Your team will be a small team within a larger, corporate consultancy with numerous international offices located in Europe, Asia and North America. The business has a very international feel to it, and due to the fact they work on some of the largest and most reputable construction disputes in the World, candidates who speak additional languages to English are always looked upon favourably. However, this is by no means an essential criteria for this role. You will work alongside several industry leading experts who are Who’s Who Legal (WWL) recommended.

• Industry leading annual bonus (10% - 30%).
• Other benefits including contributory pension.