Director - Commercial & Quantum in Leeds

The employer is a long-established multidisciplinary commercial and contract management consultancy that provides commercial management, planning, dispute resolution and expert witness services to the construction, engineering and outsourcing industries. Their work covers public infrastructure (transport, energy, water), building and civil engineering projects, as well as major PFI / PPP and IT outsourcing contracts in both the public and private sectors. From their Leeds office, the consultancy supports clients across the UK and internationally. As Director – Quantum, you will work with a broad client base including government bodies, private sector clients, Tier 1 and regional contractors, specialist subcontractors, consultants and legal practices, typically on major civil engineering, road, rail, building, energy and PFI projects. You will play a key part in positioning the Leeds disputes team as a go-to provider of quantum expertise for complex, high-value disputes.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Leadership & strategy: Leading and developing the Leeds-based quantum team and contributing to regional and national disputes strategy; Setting and delivering business plans, including revenue, utilisation and profitability targets for the quantum service line; Acting as a senior figurehead for quantum disputes work in the region.
• Business development & client relationships: Leveraging your established network of contractor, client and legal contacts to originate new instructions; Building and maintaining strong relationships with solicitors, counsel, clients and key stakeholders to secure repeat and referral work; Representing the business at industry events, seminars and networking forums and contributing to thought-leadership content.
• Disputes and quantum work: Leading the forensic analysis of tender, contract, commercial and project documentation; Directing and checking quantum assessments for loss and expense, variations, prolongation and disruption claims; Leading the preparation of adjudication, arbitration and litigation documentation and strategies; Providing senior input to, and often authoring, high-quality expert witness and advisory reports on quantum matters; Providing strategic commercial and contractual advice at all stages of the project and dispute lifecycle; Overseeing the application and interpretation of standard forms of contract (JCT, NEC, FIDIC and others).
• Team development & operations: Managing, mentoring and developing Associate Directors, Senior Consultants and more junior staff within the quantum and disputes team; Ensuring robust internal quality control, peer review and knowledge-sharing processes are in place; Contributing to recruitment, performance management and resourcing decisions; Supporting the integration of quantum services with planning, commercial and wider disputes offerings.

While many duties can be carried out from the Leeds office on a hybrid basis, you should expect to attend client offices, project sites, meetings, hearings and mediations at locations across the UK as required.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Extensive relevant experience: Typically 12–15+ years of post-graduate experience within the construction and engineering industry; Significant portion of that experience spent specialising in construction disputes and quantum analysis on major projects; Proven track record of leading complex claims and disputes through adjudication, arbitration and/or litigation.
• Technical and disputes expertise: Deep understanding of dispute resolution procedures and the principles of construction and contract law; Strong experience of preparing and defending major quantum claims, including loss and expense, disruption and termination claims; Experience of preparing, leading or contributing significantly to expert witness reports on quantum matters; Ideally, prior experience acting as named expert or giving evidence, or a clear trajectory towards expert appointments.
• Commercial and client skills: Demonstrable ability to win work and develop a sustainable pipeline of disputes and advisory assignments; Well-developed network within the regional/national construction and disputes markets (including contractors, clients and law firms); Strong stakeholder management skills and confidence in leading negotiations, workshops and client presentations; Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to clearly communicate complex technical and legal concepts to a range of audiences.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Ideal candidates for the Director – Quantum position will: Hold a degree in Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Law or a closely related discipline; Be professionally qualified (e.g. MRICS or equivalent chartered status); Have achieved, or be close to completing, a postgraduate qualification in Construction Law, Arbitration or a related discipline (e.g. MSc, LLM or PGDip); Additional specialist training in dispute resolution, expert evidence or arbitration would be advantageous.

Employing Company Overview and Profile

The employer is a well-established specialist consultancy providing commercial management, planning, dispute resolution and expert witness services to the construction and engineering sectors. Their work spans major infrastructure in transport, energy and water, together with significant building and civil engineering schemes, complex PFI / PPP arrangements and other large-scale outsourcing projects across both public and private sectors. They advise a broad range of domestic and international clients and are recognised for their strong track record on technically challenging construction and engineering disputes. The consultancy places great importance on the quality of its people and on delivering tailored solutions to each client. Their consultants are experienced and adaptable, and are able to draw on a strong internal knowledge base to provide clear, pragmatic commercial and quantum advice. The business promotes an inclusive working environment and actively supports staff with ongoing professional development, training and long-term career progression. A full client employer profile will be provided to applicants shortlisted for interview.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

The Director – Quantum role offers a competitive salary and an attractive, flexible benefits package, which includes: Medical insurance; Life assurance; Discretionary bonus scheme/ profit share; Professional fees paid; Hybrid working (office / home); Additional holidays for long service; Buy / sell holiday scheme; Pension salary sacrifice scheme; Support and sponsorship for further education and professional development.