Associate Director, Technology Disputes

Secretariat; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Secretariat is seeking an Associate Director of Technology Disputes to lead engagements in a hybrid (preferred) or remote setting. You will supervise investigations, oversee complex IT and software disputes, and collaborate with senior counsel to shape case strategy.

The role emphasizes leadership of junior staff, strong analytical reporting, and client-facing work with high-stakes matters across ERP/CRM/SaaS platforms. Chicago area opportunities exist.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in expert consulting services or related technology implementations.
• Experience with project management principles and industry standards.
• Strong analytical and expert report writing skills.
• Proven engagement management experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel.
• Legal background as a paralegal or JD with 1-3 years of outside counsel experience.
• Prior involvement with expert reports/testimony support.
• PMP Certification or other similar certification.
• Exposure to source code review or collaboration with engineers.
• Prior experience in large-scale investigations and client relations.

Responsibilities

• Engagement Leadership: Manage matters end‑to‑end, including scoping, workplans, staffing, budgets, and quality control; direct analyses on software implementation, licensing, and architecture.
• Client Service: Support Managing Directors on engagements and contribute to proposals and industry events.
• Risk & Quality: Identify and manage engagement risks; ensure adherence to policies and documentation standards.
• People Leadership: Coach and develop junior team members; maintain training documentation and templates.

Skills

Analytical skills

Report writing

Engagement management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Travel flexibility

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Chart Your Journey at Secretariat From a collaborative culture to teammates who will always be by your side, find a career that will grow with you. Deliver your impact at Secretariat.

ABOUT THE FIRM

Secretariat professionals are trusted in the highest-stakes legal, risk, and regulatory matters around the world. When you join Secretariat, you become part of a rapidly growing elite team of bright minds and passionate problem-solvers. Your skills and expertise will be utilized on day one – working with the world’s most renowned law firms, leading corporations, and influential institutions to answer complex questions that shape critical financial, economic, and strategic business decisions. Our globally integrated teams are united by the ambition, energy, and commitment they bring to every challenge. We inspire and empower an open, collaborative culture that embraces ongoing professional development, recognition, diversity, and – most importantly – you. Make your impact at Secretariat.

ABOUT Our Investigations team

As part of our expanding Global Investigations and Disputes team, you will work at the forefront of today’s most complex business challenges. We are looking for an Associate Director of Technology Disputes to join our team (hybrid preferred or remote). Our expert team includes forensic accountants, certified fraud examiners, digital forensic specialists, technologists, big data experts, and former regulators – all working in concert to provide investigative, business intelligence, and regulatory compliance solutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engagement Leadership: Manage matters end‑to‑end, including scoping, workplans, staffing, budgets, and quality control. Lead analyses related to software implementation performance, vendor delivery, licensing, source code/architecture, software lifecycle development, and other technology related creation.. Direct the preparation of expert reports, rebuttals, and demonstratives; coordinate with counsel on case strategy. Draft and direct the preparation of expert reports, rebuttals, and demonstratives; coordinate with counsel on case strategy.
• Client Service: Support Managing Directors as part of the client-facing team on engagements. Support business through relationship building, proposals, and participation in industry events. Contribute to thought leadership through articles, webinars, and speaking opportunities.
• Risk & Quality: Identify and manage engagement risks; ensure adherence to firm policies and documentation standards.
• People Leadership: Coach and develop junior team members, provide constructive feedback, and help build practice capabilities. Own internal training documentation and templates Mentor and develop junior staff by providing constructive feedback, and help build practice capabilities.

Typical Matter Types

• Disputes involving ERP/CRM/SCM/HCM implementations (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft).
• SaaS/cloud contract and performance issues.
• Software licensing and entitlement disputes.
• Vendor governance, SDLC/Agile delivery issues, and technology program failures.
• Intellectual property theft of software.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Required
  • 8+ years in expert consulting services or industry specific experience related to technology implementations, complex IT advisory, investigations or expert services.
  • Experience with project management principles and industry standards.
  • Strong analytical and expert report writing skills.
  • Proven engagement management experience.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Ability to travel.
• Preferred
  • Legal background as a paralegal or similar position, or JD with 1-3 years of outside counsel experience
  • Prior involvement with expert reports/testimony support.
  • PMP Certification or other similar certification.
  • Exposure to source code review or collaboration with engineers.
  • Prior experience in large-scale investigations and client relations.

A rewarding career above all

There are a lot of fine consulting firms out there. But when everything is on the line, it takes a unique combination of skill and savvy to succeed under pressure. Our culture and people are driven by passion, pride, and performance. Passion for the clients we serve, the work we deliver, and the communities we live in. Pride in our cohesive team recognized for excellence and trusted to perform in the most challenging situations. And our track record of outstanding performance across all of our disciplines speaks for itself. Our people are motivated to be the best in everything they do – from our approach to making the complex simple to the way we mentor our up-and-coming talent to become trusted experts early in their careers.

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