Principal, Disputes

• We are looking for a dynamic and collaborative leader to help expand and elevate our disputes and litigation support practice—bringing deep expertise in counterparty diligence, asset tracing, and court-admissible evidence gathering across the US and the broader Americas.
• The successful candidate will be a core member of both the Americas Business Intelligence team management and a specialized global dispute support function. This individual will be a critical thinker and proven business builder with solid writing and communication skills, a deep network with US law firms, and at least 10 years of experience at an established investigations firm or unit. Candidates with related skills and networks will also be considered, such as former prosecutors, litigation funders, internal investigative teams, etc. The candidate will be expected to manage client relationships and drive business development (which includes developing new clients, expanding existing relationships, developing new products, etc), in close coordination with Americas and global disputes colleagues.
• The candidate will have direct line management responsibility of a small group of direct reports and take ownership of litigation and dispute support-related matters for the Americas business intelligence team through collaborating with the Business Intelligence team leads for each of the four sub-regions in the Americas. Critical to this role will be their ability to collaborate with the Americas’ sub-regions to identify key areas of improvement and to action it, as well as driving improvement in methodology, setting and modelling best practices, training and upskilling junior team members and finding ways to collaborate across Control Risks’ other departments (such as forensics, e-discovery, data analytics, etc.).
• Day-to-day activities include: managing your own PNL for the Disputes Americas sub-practice, collaborating with BI globally and regionally, drafting clear and persuasive proposals, originating client work, conduct and project manage high-level investigative projects within time and budget constraints, oversee teams of researchers and subcontractors, write and edit client reports, foster relationships with counterparts globally, author thought leadership, attending and/or speaking at conferences or client events and at all times acting as an ambassador of the firm.

Role tasks and responsibilities

Business, practice, and solution development

• Drive the Americas and global dispute and litigation support business development strategy through outreach to your own network as well as with Control Risks’ existing client base and legal buyer strategy
• Manage P&L for Americas disputes practice
• Grow client accounts to higher and broader levels of service and expand the relationship by service and geography
• Work closely and collaboratively with global disputes colleagues as well as with Americas leadership
• Lead and support on both regional and global business development initiatives such as attending conferences, client meetings and briefings
• Actively participate in profile-raising and brand awareness activities, including marketing and networking initiatives and events
• Seek opportunities to improve our current methodologies and operational processes, including through the application of new tools, innovation, approaches, and sources

Team leadership and line management

• Manage and recruit direct reports , helping them to develop, execute and complete projects, liaising closely with colleagues around the world
• Discuss and create objectives for each direct report and conduct consistent evaluations and required performance reviews
• In collaboration with regional team leads, support/lead professional development of the research team and take part in training and upskilling junior team members
• Take responsibility to analyze a situation to provide the solution or escalates as appropriate
• Work with colleagues in a cooperative and supportive manner to achieve shared goals

Investigative case management

• Manage a range of complex and high-value investigative projects utilizing proprietary and specialist databases, online public records, site visits and discreet inquiries open sources in a variety of investigative contexts for internal and external clients
• Take the lead in litigation and dispute-related work matters as subject matter expert for the project managers on the team
• Manage and train teams throughout the project cycle, from initial client request to proposal drafting, acceptance, delivery and invoicing
• Communicate with clients to understand their goals and ensure that our proposals deliver solutions tailored to those needs
• Fully understand project budgeting, resource management and profitability of projects
• Review and edit client deliverables in the Control Risks style and for quality control
• Support teams in briefing and present findings, in writing, verbally and through charts and diagrams, to internal and external clients
• Resolve client problems and complaints, including leading difficult conversations and resolving issues
• Manage investigators and subcontractors. Oversee the effective performance of investigators and other junior colleagues, providing meaningful and constructive feedback.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in an analytical or relevant technical field of study
• Related industry certifications a plus (CFE, ACAMS, etc.)
• At least 10 years of investigative experience at a corporate investigations firm and/or within an investigations practice in an advisory firm.
• US public record investigations experience as a baseline, with global investigative experience preferred: Social media research and analysis; US litigation support and other complex investigations (cross-border preferred); Discreet source inquiries; Training; Case management (with respect to budgets, deadlines and written work product); People management (in-house teams and subcontractors); Client management;
• Strong network of contacts in the US, preferably with law firms
• Proven sales origination experience
• Deep experience with/knowledge of local markets pertaining to legal buyers of investigative services; preference for established relationships or identified targets
• Polished professional skills regarding people management, written/oral communication, giving/receiving feedback, team dynamics and organizational change
• Commitment to proactively helping grow and develop a busy, thriving investigative practice

The base salary range for this position in Washington DC is $180,000-$210,000 per year. The base salary range for this position in New York City is $200,000-$220,000 per year. Exact compensation offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Control Risks is committed to a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.

Control Risks participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment authorization of all newly hired employees. The E-Verify process is completed during new hire onboarding and completion of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, at the start of employment. E-Verify is not used as a tool to pre-screen candidates. For more information on E-Verify, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Benefits

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer.
• Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasize the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
• Medical Benefits, Prescription Benefits, FSA, Dental Benefits, Vision Benefits, Life and AD&D, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Disability Benefits, Voluntary Benefits, 401 (K) Retirement, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program.
• As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.