Director - Forensic Delay Analysis

HKA Birmingham; Rosebank; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

HKA Birmingham is looking for a Director to lead multiple high-value commissions and drive business growth. This role requires strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and strong leadership to build client relationships and oversee team performance.

Candidates should have over 15 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry, along with relevant qualifications. HKA promotes an inclusive environment and is dedicated to ongoing improvement in diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 15+ years' experience in engineering and construction or related professional services.
• Experience in people leadership and securing consultancy opportunities.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver complex assignments with high-quality outcomes.
• Manage multiple commissions and oversee delivery standards.
• Develop and expand client relationships to identify additional service opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial management

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Relevant technical qualification

Postgraduate technical qualification (preferred)

Job description

HKA is a leading global consultancy in risk mitigation, dispute resolution, expert witness and litigation support. We anticipate, investigate and resolve complex challenges by harnessing world-leading multi-disciplinary expertise and experience.

As trusted independent consultants, experts and advisors, we deliver solutions amid uncertainty, dispute and overrun, and provide the insights that make the best possible outcomes a reality for public and private sector clients worldwide. Our experts have testified across the globe on many of the largest quantum, delay, engineering and commercial damages matters.

What you can expect

• A senior leadership role where you will shape the success of multiple high‑value commissions and play a pivotal part in driving the growth of HKA’s business.
• The opportunity to influence and lead teams, develop talent and contribute to the strategic direction of our organisation.
• A highly collaborative culture where your insights, leadership and professional expertise are respected and valued.
• A platform to expand your Expert profile, deepen client relationships and originate significant new business opportunities.
• A role where your strategic thinking, commercial acumen and ability to build trusted relationships directly contribute to long‑term organisational impact.

The Opportunity

As a Director, you will take on a critical leadership position responsible for overseeing complex or multiple commissions, ensuring commercial success, technical excellence and exceptional client satisfaction. You will play a key role in expanding our client base, strengthening our market reputation and developing the next generation of consulting talent.

We will also support you in growing your Expert capability, whether you are already acting as a number 2 on expert matters or beginning to take on your own appointments, providing you with the platform, guidance and opportunities needed to progress your Expert journey.

Your responsibilities

• Independently formulate, lead and deliver complex or multiple assignments, ensuring high‑quality outcomes and client confidence.
• Manage and oversee multiple commissions, allocate responsibilities, uphold delivery standards and drive strong commercial, quality and client outcomes.
• Provide operational leadership, including selecting new team members, mentoring colleagues and supporting the development of high‑performing teams.
• Build, manage and expand client relationships, identify opportunities to introduce additional HKA services and contribute to key account management where appropriate.
• Take an active role in business development and marketing, prepare high‑quality bids and proposals, represent HKA at industry events, produce thought leadership and strengthen the firm’s brand presence.
• Proactively manage business and commercial risks, contribute to budgeting, ensure strong cash collection and drive profitability and productivity across your commissions.
• Expert only (where applicable): Serve as an expert in a broad field on sophisticated matters, manage client and lawyer relationships and contribute specialist insights with authority.

Skills & Experience

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially strong Director who brings:

• A relevant technical qualification (degree or equivalent) or higher‑education certificate, with the ability to obtain necessary jurisdiction‑specific certifications or accreditations.
• A relevant postgraduate technical qualification (preferred).
• 15+ years’ experience in a similar role within the engineering and construction industry or a related professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience in people leadership, commercial management and the development and securing of consultancy fee‑earning opportunities.
• Experience in expert work, either acting as a number 2 supporting testifying experts or beginning to take on your own expert appointments with a commitment to progressing your expert career.
• Membership of a relevant professional body, with a willingness to obtain all required accreditations for specific jurisdictions.
• Strong strategic capability able to set direction, lead teams and influence high‑level decision‑making.
• Commercial awareness, strong stakeholder‑management skills and the ability to push boundaries in pursuit of excellence.

Why HKA?

Joining HKA as a Director means stepping into a role where your leadership, expertise and strategic insight shape both the firm’s future and the success of our people. You’ll operate at the forefront of the industry, working on impactful commissions, developing talent and building the client relationships that drive our growth. If you’re motivated by influence, opportunity and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to a global consultancy, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

ED&I at HKA

HKA has a thriving ED&I committee working hard to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for a truly diverse set of employees. We are committed as a business on the continued improvement of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy; please visit our careers page for further information or feel free to ask our recruitment team for further information.

All HKA employment decisions are firstly made on merit and shall be made without regard to age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, or any other basis in compliance with local legislation.