Director, Investigations North America (Disputes and Litigation Support)

The preferred locations for this role are New York City or Washington DC. Other offices may be considered (Chicago, Houston, San Francisco).

We are looking for a motivated, experienced individual to join the leadership of a productive team conducting sophisticated public record and open-source research, online monitoring and human intelligence gathering for pre-transactional due diligence, asset traces, complex fraud investigations, internal investigations, dispute and litigation support and anti-bribery/anti-corruption and other compliance-driven inquiries in the US and Canada.

The successful Director candidate will be a core member of the North America Business Intelligence (BINA) team’s management, as well as joining Control Risks’ Americas Business Leaders. This individual will be a critical thinker with solid writing and communication skills, have an existing client network in the US, preferably with law firms, and have 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. This person will be expected to manage client relationships and drive business development (which includes developing new clients, expanding existing relationships, developing new products, etc); while identifying key opportunities of how Control Risks can service our clients better.

The Director 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 North America Business Intelligence team. Critical to this role will be their ability to contribute to the management of a team of investigators, 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: 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

Investigative case management:

• Manage and execute a range of complex and high-value investigative projects utilizing proprietary and specialist databases, online public records and open sources in a variety of investigative contexts for internal and external clients
• Take the lead in litigation and dispute related work matters; acting as subject matter expert for the project managers on the team
• Manage the entire 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
• Understand project budgeting, resource management and profitability of projects
• Review and edit client deliverables in the Control Risks style and for quality control
• Brief 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 with Clients.
• Manage our human source network and expand it by cultivating contacts across the US & Canada
• Manage investigators and subcontractors. Oversee the effective performance of investigators and other junior colleagues, providing meaningful and constructive feedback.

Team leadership and line management:

• Manage a group of direct reports, helping them to develop, execute and complete projects, liaising with colleagues in other jurisdictions and service lines
• Discuss and create objectives for each direct report and conduct consistent evaluations and required performance reviews
• Support/lead professional development of the research team and take part in training and upskilling junior team members
• Takes responsibility to analyze a situation to provide the solution or escalates as appropriate
• Works with colleagues in a cooperative and supportive manner to achieve shared goals

Business, practice, and solution development

• Drive the development of BINA’s Dispute and Litigation Support BD Strategy by driving the initiative to win effectively and profitably. Seek to both maintain existing relationships and develop new ones with key decision makers. Facilitate, where appropriate, the introduction and provision of additional Control Risks’ services.
• Grow client accounts to higher and broader levels of service, expand the relationship by service and geography.
• Confidently explain to Clients the full range of Control Risks’ BI services and understand our other practices and how they fit into our work.
• Lead and support on 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

Requirements

Role 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 with deep experience in the following:

• US/Canada public record investigations
• 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.

- Deep experience with/knowledge of local markets pertaining to finance, legal and other buyers of investigative services; preference for established relationships or identified targets

- Deep understanding of the US and Canada political system and regulatory environment and the nexus between business and politics

- 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 is $165,000-$175,000 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.

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.