Freelance Senior Consultant - Planning & Delay

Senior Delay Consultant

Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Job type: Permanent

Posted: 22/06/2026 (Live: Interviewing now)

A highly reputable claims and disputes consultancy is looking to hire a Senior Delay Consultant based in Sheffield. The successful candidate will be an existing Delay Analyst or a construction professional from a contracting background with exposure to claims and disputes work.

In this role, you will work for a reputable consultancy with an experienced senior management team, be involved in claims, disputes (largely adjudications), and expert witness work, and gain exposure to a wide variety of assignments across multiple sectors.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Report directly to the Managing Director and support senior management on complex disputes work.
• Run your own assignments with clients relating to claims on live projects.
• Collaborate with Delay Analysts to offer support on disputed and time related issues.
• Review construction programmes and offer guidance.
• Help clients avoid conflicts by providing expert, commercially focused counsel.
• Support clients on matters related to delay and loss.
• Collaborate with commercial experts to support non controversial time related issues.
• Provide timely coaching and training to clients on delay matters.
• Write reports and represent clients in tribunals.
• Collaborate with solicitors offering expert support in construction related disputes.
• Engage in business development activities.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Approximately 10 years of postgraduate experience in the construction industry.
• Prior experience in live planning and programming roles for contracting organisations or delay analysis work at a disputes consultancy (both highly advantageous).
• Familiarity with programmes and programming software.
• Ability to use P6, Asta Powerproject, and MS Project.
• Formal involvement in managing or supporting a dispute (adjudication, arbitration, litigation, etc.) is advantageous but not essential.
• Well presented and articulate individual able to thrive in a client facing role and communicate effectively with clients.
• Good experience/knowledge of standard forms of contract such as NEC and JCT is essential.
• Competent with Microsoft Office packages.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• Qualified to degree level.

Employing Company Overview and Profile

The hiring company is a multi disciplinary construction consulting firm focused on risk analysis and mitigation, expert witness, coaching, training, project management, commercial management, and dispute avoidance. It is headed by a respected senior management team and offers career development opportunities across the United Kingdom.