Director - Strategic Advisory Expert Witness

Are you looking to join an organization that is growing and dynamic? What about a high-energy, collaborative environment that rewards hard work?

J.S. Held is a global consulting firm providing technical, scientific, and financial expertise. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high-stakes events that demand urgent attention, strict integrity, and clear-cut analysis. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services enabling clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations.  We have over 100 locations worldwide. We are highly committed to all members of our community, both employees and clients. Our organization focuses on promoting a sense of community and inspiring our people to achieve results that exceed goals.

J.S. Held’s Strategic Advisory practice provides companies and their investors, legal counsel, and financial institutions with the information required to make well-informed business decisions. With experts located worldwide, we support clients across North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

We are leaders in the boardroom, C-suite, and on the shop floor.  We regularly interact with our clients at all levels to assess and address the real challenges they face, and to develop solutions that solve the complex problems they encounter.  We identify areas of opportunity across the operational landscape, develop targeted improvement strategies, and execute them to optimize performance.

We are seeking an experienced Director to lead and shape our project support initiatives involving financial expert witness testimony and preparation. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on involvement in financial consulting we are looking for someone with an Expert Witness background. The candidate will join a skilled and closely-knit team of turnaround & restructuring professionals, with deep experience in leading, planning, and solving the most complex client situations. The role offers a unique opportunity to engage in a variety of tasks. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding or quick ability to grasp our work, with a strong background in quantitative roles.

Travel could include up to 70% on-site at client engagements, requiring hands-on operational oversight. Ideally, the candidate should reside in Phoenix, AZ; San Diego, CA; Chicago, IL and be able to report into one of these office locations.

Job Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will possess a demonstrated track record in the Financial Expert Witness world, with significant experience building a file and/or testifying in economic damage situations. While the bulk of our expert witness roles are focused on Financial Fraud and Bankruptcies, additional experience in turnaround and/or workout restructuring experience, including interim/crisis management, complex cash flow projections, and operational restructuring would be an added value for this role and provide opportunity to get involved in similar matters. Ideally the candidate would not only be able to perform the work, but also generate work either from new business or an existing book. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide Expert Testimony: Offer independent, objective, and reliable opinions of data that can be identified and substantiated in a legal setting under rigorous scrutiny. 

  • Investigating financial records for money laundering, embezzlement, or Ponzi schemes while providing an impartial and independent analysis of data and facts related to financial data and feel confident in delivery.
  • Evaluating historical financial statements, transactions and activity to determine the possibility of hidden assets and/or added value.
  • Prepare detailed reports and statements that present and explain complex information in a clear, concise manner that is understandable to non-experts.
  • Attend pre-trial meetings and conferences to discuss the findings.
  • Present oral testimonies during both out-of-court and in-court proceedings.
  • Respond to cross-examination questions during court proceedings.
  • Remain up to date with the latest advancements and changes in their field of expertise.
  • May be asked to provide a professional opinion on a hypothetical situation based on the facts provided.
  • Ensure all work is conducted with the highest level of professional integrity and ethics.

• Financial Analysis and Modeling: Conduct detailed financial modeling, review and analyze large amounts of financial data, and develop comprehensive deliverables.
  • Creating and maintaining complex financial models to trace funds, project economic impact, valuation of claims and asset values, identify fraud and other similar scenarios.
  • Review and develop market data.
  • Developing comprehensive financial reports and presentations for stakeholders.

• Operational Restructuring: Assess business plans, conduct due diligence, and develop and implement various business strategies to drive turnaround and profitability improvements. 
  • Analyzing operational processes to identify inefficiencies and areas for cost reduction.
  • Designing and implementing restructuring plans to optimize operational performance.
  • Collaborating with management teams to develop and execute strategic initiatives.
  • Monitoring and reporting on the progress of restructuring efforts to ensure alignment with business goals.

• Client and Network Development: Expand and exploit our existing referral network, and integrate the successful candidate’s referral network with the firm’s existing platform.

• Leadership and Presentation: Lead presentations to referral sources, potential clients, and existing clients, demonstrating expertise and building trust.

We are looking for candidates who possess:

• At least 5 years of experience in preparing expert witness reports and deep involvement in the preparation and work leading up to an Expert Witness engagement.
• Ideally the candidate would have experience with actual testimony and cross-examination efforts, but for the right candidate this can be achieved after tenure with the group.
• High, measurable quantitative skills.
• Adventurous, outgoing and dynamic personality that is comfortable in change and challenging situations and can adapt to a wide range of situations and individuals.
• Keen intellectual curiosity and the ability to align the broader objectives with the short-term needs.
• Meticulous approach to analyzing data, interpreting, and explaining complex financial and data.
• 5-10 years minimum work experience in a financial position, either with an accounting firm, financial consulting, or litigation practice focused on financial expert witness preparation and testimony.
• Must have a thorough understanding of financial modeling and analysis, data management, advisory services.
• Ability to lead significant projects with minimal oversight.
• Prior experience with Chapter 11 bankruptcies, restructuring, turnaround, Ponzi and other fraudulent engagements in various industries and levels is strongly desired.
• Understanding of the asset-based lending environment and borrowing base certificates.
• Lead and participate in a variety of marketing and business development activities to further mature the current Strategic Advisory presence in the marketplace as appropriate.
• Undergraduate degree in finance or related field.  An MBA or other advanced degree is strongly preferred.
• CTP, CFE, or CIRA a plus

Physical and Mental Job Qualifications

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time
• Must be comfortable working in an in-office environment
• Must be flexible to work outside of the 8:30 am – 5:30 pm business hours if needed
• Must be able to travel up to 20% of the time, as needed.

Some of the Benefits We Have Include

J.S. Held understands that all our employees are people, and sometimes life needs flexibility. We strive to create an environment that best supports and suits the needs of our team.

• Generous FTO Policy
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401k Match
• Commuter Benefit

A reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $140,000 - $220,000. Any offered salary range is based on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to skill set, experience, training, location, scope of role, management responsibility, and others.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee in this job. Duties, obligations, and activities are subject to change at any time, with or without notice.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read the J.S. Held Online Privacy Notice and hereby freely and unambiguously give informed consent to the collection, processing, use, and storage of your personal information as required and described therein. California residents can click here to learn more about the personal information we collect and here to learn about additional privacy rights that may be available.

Please explore what we’re all about at www.jsheld.com.

EEO and Job Accommodations

We embrace diversity and our commitment to building a team and environment that fosters professional and personal enrichment is unwavering. We are greater when we are equal!

J.S. Held is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request for a reasonable accommodation, please email [email protected] and include “Applicant Accommodation” within the subject line with your request and contact information

#LI-PF1