Associate Director, Damages & Valuations

ABOUT Our Damages & Valuations team

As part of our expanding Damages & Valuations team, you will join a select group of the world's foremost experts and advisors. The facts prove it. We are ranked #1 in Global Arbitration Review's prestigious Expert Witness Firm Power Index in 2025, and over 90% of our testifying experts are recognized as leading experts by Who's Who Legal.

We are a collaborative team of experienced accountants, economists, PhDs, certified business valuators, investment analysts, and industry specialists - all working together to address the most complex litigation and strategic commercial questions no matter the industry or global location.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Exceptional analytical skills, solid quantitative training, remarkable communication skills, and creativity are the foundation for successful associates at Secretariat. Successful candidates will join an expanding domestic and international business valuation and damages quantification practice. Our Chicago-based group works on large and complex commercial damages matters involving misappropriations of assets, business valuations, post-acquisition disputes, forensic accounting investigations, financial reporting, and myriad of other domestic and international disputes. These cases will give the successful candidate exposure to unique, complex, interesting issues, often integrating valuation, finance, accounting, economics, and legal principles.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits, and we support the continuing professional development of our employees.

• Manage the assignment from "cradle to grave" including designing and implementing the work plan, allocating and managing the team members, reporting and presenting findings, and maintaining responsibility for the budget and administrative aspects. Above all, you will be responsible for maintain the highest quality of client service throughout the assignment.
• Be the operational client-facing member of the assignment team. This will require the ability to develop and maintain client relationships and manage expectations.
• Actively participate in business development by identifying potential new clients 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.
• 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 their development needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requisite professional designations and work experience:
  • Fully qualified holder of the CPA and/or CFA designation
  • Holder of or pursuing a credential in valuation (ABV, CVA, ASA or equivalent)
  • 6+ years of prior experience in economic damages and/or business valuation
  • Prior experience at one of the 'Big Four' accounting firms would be an asset
• Strong expert report writing skills to complement analytics
• Able to quickly assimilate relevant information in unfamiliar situations and develop creative approaches and solutions necessary to resolve complex problems
• The ability to manage and prioritize your time and your team's time, potentially against a backdrop of competing deadlines
• The ability to manage team members, both junior and senior, as well as external stakeholders
• The ability to work independently whilst knowing which issues and risks need to be highlighted to senior staff, ideally accompanied by suggested viable solutions
• Excellent analytical and problem resolution abilities
• Excellent listening, verbal, written, technical, and presentation skills
• The desire to join in with, and/or lead, auxiliary tasks associated with a growing practice within a rapidly growing firm
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Excel and PowerPoint
• The ability to travel

At Secretariat, we believe in pay transparency and equity. Compensation for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, skills, and location. Further details will be provided during the hiring process.

Pay Transparency

$150,000-$182,000 USD

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.