Senior Director, Construction Disputes & Advisory: Expert Testifying General Contractor

Ankura
Illinois

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.

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.

Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field from an accredited institution. Advanced degree preferred.

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

Ankura is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email [email protected] or call toll-free +1.312-583-2122. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.

Ankura Consulting Group, LLC is an independent global expert services and advisory firm that delivers services and end-to-end solutions to help clients at critical inflection points related to conflict, crisis, performance, risk, strategy, and transformation. The Ankura team consists of more than 2000 professionals serving 3,000+ clients across 55 countries who are leaders in their respective fields and areas of expertise. Collaborative Lateral Thinking That Delivers??, hard-earned experience, expertise, and multidisciplinary capabilities drive results and Ankura is unrivalled in its ability to assist clients to Protect, Create, and Recover Value??. For more information, please visit, ankura.com.

Posted 2025-11-27

Recommended Jobs

Sr Maintenance Technician- Albion on Lake Cook

Greystar
Palatine, IL

ABOUT GREYSTAR Greystar is a leading, fully integrated global real estate platform offering expertise in property management, investment management, development, and construction services in ins…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-21

Product Owner, Enterprise Applications

Adyen
Chicago, IL

This is Adyen Adyen provides payments, data, and financial products in a single solution for customers like Meta, Uber, H&M, and Microsoft - making us the financial technology platform of choice. …

View Details
Posted 2025-11-25

Pest Elimination Service Technician

Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators
Streator, IL

Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators, a leader in providing top-notch pest control solutions, is seeking a skilled Pest Elimination Service Technician to join our dedicated team. This position involves using ex…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-20

Business Relationship Manager I - Officer

JPMorgan Chase
Algonquin, IL

If you are customer focused, enjoy building relationships and providing financial advice to your clients, a role as a Business Relationship Manager is for you. As a Business Relationship Manager I …

View Details
Posted 2025-11-14

Peoples Gas Instructor

After School Matters
Chicago, IL

Summary of Position : After School Matters is seeking temporary, part-time instructors to teach its Peoples Gas programs during the summer session for 25 high school participants between the ages of…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-06

Honeymoon Specialist

Traveling with Mchaila
Chicago, IL

We're looking for a Honeymoon Specialist to join our remote team. This role is dedicated to helping couples plan their dream honeymoons and romantic escapes. Youll use creativity, attention to detail…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-07

CNC Maintenance Technician

Prince Industries LLC
Carol Stream, IL

Who We Are Founded in 1959 by Ed Miller near Chicago, Prince Industries has grown from a one-man shop into a global manufacturing partner. With seven facilities across the U.S. and China, we serve…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-12

Material Handler Operator III (Team Lead) - Melrose Park, IL

CEVALogistics
Melrose Park, IL

CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers all around the world. Present in 170+ countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500…

View Details
Posted 2025-10-24

Compensation Staff Attorney

Baker McKenzie
Chicago, IL

Description Baker McKenzie seeks a staff attorney for its Compensation Practice Group to reside in our San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago office…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-14

Application engineer

Actalent
Buffalo Grove, IL

Job Title: Application Engineer Job Description We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Applications Engineer with a mechanical engineering to support our engineering team. This rol…

View Details
Posted 2025-11-18