Job Description

What's the Opportunity
Due to the success of the current team, we are looking to expand by recruiting an experienced Architect with practical experience in construction.
This is an opportunity for someone wishing to work as part of a specialist team on a range of cases, analysing buildings, technical information and contract documents to establish the root causes of construction disputes. Although previous experience as an Expert Witness would be beneficial, it is not required, as the successful candidate will be supported in transitioning to take on their own instructions. As part of the recruitment process, the relevant experience you have gained will be covered during your interview discussions and redacted examples of your writing would be beneficial.
The location for this role is flexible, with the successful appointee being based in any of our offices, although the preferred office locations are London, Manchester, Birmingham or Bristol where other members of the Expert Witness team are based. Please note, due to the nature of this role, the prerequisite for applying for this opportunity is that you have a minimum of 10 years' professional experience working in the construction industry.
Who are we?
Ridge Expert Witness Advisory Services (EWAS) is a specialist team of construction experts providing support to solicitors in respect of property litigation. The team includes Architects, Structural engineers, Fire engineers, MEP engineers and Building Surveyors.
The Responsibilities of the role include:

• Provide independent, unbiased expert opinion on an alleged defect or non-compliance involving property
• Defects inspections and expert report writing (training will be given in respect of the latter even if you are an established expert)
• Desktop reviews of information
• Attending expert meetings and writing joint statements
• Providing oral and written evidence to the Court or other tribunals, including cross examination (training will be given even if you are an established expert)

Wider details of the role will be discussed in depth during the interview.
The skills and experience you need to have for this role

• A qualified architect, registered with the ARB
• 10 years' experience in the construction industry
• A strong technical background in the practical aspects of construction
• Focused, confident, decision maker
• Have a sound knowledge of past/current industry standards, regulations, and guidance
• A problem solver able to assimilate large amounts of technical information and identify its relevance
• Excellent report writing skills
• A particularly strong interest in the legal and technical side of architecture
• The ability to recognise when there is insufficient information to reach a conclusion
• The ability to recognise the limits of your own knowledge
• The ability to communicate complex technical matters to the non-technical in both written and oral forms
• Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to take instruction and training from the established team
• Flexible working attitude with the ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines
• Able to travel regionally for site visits, etc

Ridge is a Built Environment Consultancy. We provide our clients with access to a wide range of integrated expertise and professional disciplines to help them transform the quality and sustainability of the built environment.
Our people make what we do possible, helping us lead the way with quality, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit. That's why we challenge them to be the best they can be and offer exceptional training and career development opportunities at all levels.
Ridge and Partners LLP

Skills Required