Secretariat is a world-class independent expert advisory services firm that provides world-class expert witness, litigation support, investigative and advisory services to top companies and leading law firms on significant litigation matters and bet-the-company disputes and investigations.  Specifically, Secretariat specializes in securities litigation, M&A disputes, international arbitrations, general commercial disputes, economic damages, and a variety of forensic accounting investigations.  Secretariat’s experts maintain integrity, quality, and objectivity when solving complex disputes, delivering detailed analyses, and meaningful expert opinions that result in a clear and concise manner.  

Secretariat is a diversified international expert services firm with more than 500 professionals in 20+ cities around the globe.  Furthermore, Secretariat was recently ranked as the #1 firm in Global Arbitration Review’s prestigious GAR 100 Expert Witness Firms’ Power Index, and more than 90% of Secretariat’s leading experts are recognized as leading experts in their field by the independent Who’s Who Legal.  

We are currently seeking talented Global Investigations and Disputes Professionals

ABOUT THE GLOBAL INVESTIGATIONS AND DISPUTES TEAM

As part of our expanding Global Investigations and Disputes team, you will work at the forefront of today’s most complex business challenges. Our expert team includes forensic accountants, certified fraud examiners, digital forensic specialists, big data experts, and former regulators – all working in concert to provide investigative, business intelligence, and regulatory compliance solutions.

We are looking for an Associate Director to join our Global Investigations and Disputes practice. As part of the team, you will be engaged in gathering intelligence, analyzing disaggregated information, compiling evidential material, and communicating our findings to decision makers, whether that is internally, or in civil, criminal and regulatory arenas.

The Associate Director role is an all-encompassing role that incorporates the management of client assignments, proactively identifying and participating in business development activities, and coaching and developing junior team members.

RESPONSIBILITIES
 

• Manage engagements from start to finish, including designing and implementing the investigation plan, allocating and managing the team members, reporting and presenting the investigation findings, and maintaining responsibility for the budget and administrative aspects. Above all, you will be responsible for maintaining the highest quality of client service throughout the assignment.
• Be an operational client-facing member of the assignment team. This will require the ability to develop and maintain client relationships and manage expectations, while also translating legal risk into actionable insights and guiding organizations through sensitive, high-exposure matters.
• Actively participate in business development by identifying potential new clients, including government entities, and business leads, as well as developing your own professional network through attendance at relevant conferences and events.
• Engage in marketing activities including the drafting of articles, participation in webinars/seminars, and supporting and promoting Secretariat events.
• Prepare, and present as part of a team, pitches, and commercial/technical proposals for prospective clients.
• Design and oversee complex internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, and dispute matters involving fraud, misconduct, bribery, financial reporting, and compliance failures.
• Support the development of new business in the Sports Practice Area, including publications and market research
• Demonstrate appropriate judgment when considering risks – both to the client and to Secretariat – arising from the assignment. This includes taking responsibility for compliance with internal risk processes and policies throughout the assignment.
• Coach and develop junior members of the team including providing feedback, both on an ad hoc basis and as part of the appraisal process, and actively supporting the development of their analytical rigor, and client service excellence.needs.
   

QUALIFICATIONS

Requisite professional designations and work experience:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or similar, from an accredited university or college, J.D. or MBA.
• 10+ years of experience in legal, compliance, or investigations roles, ideally including government or in-house counsel leadership or law firm litigation practice.
• 8+ years of prior experience in forensic accounting and dispute resolution
• Prior experience at one of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms is a plus, but will consider other commensurate experience in government agencies, banking, mid-tier accounting firms or litigation support firms as well.
• Pursuit of CPA, CFF, CFA, CFE, ASA or ABV credentials is a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting internal investigations, responding to federal government agency inquiries, and board-level reporting.
• Ability to translate legal and regulatory complexity into practical business solutions for senior leadership of Secretariat and clients.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams, outside counsel, and external experts in complex dispute settings.
• Ideally have an established or building a network of contacts in law firms and/or corporates, financial institutions, PE firms, etc and a history of building trusted advisor relationships.
• Excellent verbal communication and report writing skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem resolution abilities.
• The ability to work independently whilst knowing which issues and risks need to be highlighted to senior staff, ideally accompanied by suggested viable solutions.
• The ability to manage team members, both junior and senior, as well as external stakeholders.
• The ability to manage and prioritize your time, potentially against a backdrop of competing deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Excel and PowerPoint. Expertise is SQLl, R, and other database or statistical programs are a plus.
• Expertise with Intelligize, CCH and or S&P Capital IQ are also a plus.
• The ability to travel as needed but likely less than 10% of the time or less.
• This position is a hybrid work from home and office.
• In addition to working in English, which is a requirement, working proficiency in a second non-English language is a plus and encouraged.
• The desire to join in with, and/or lead, auxiliary tasks associated with a developing practice within a rapidly growing firm.
   

Secretariat is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.