Associate Consultant - Corporate Investigations & Due Diligence

This position may be based in Chicago, Houston, or Washington DC.

An Associate Consultant conducts sophisticated (US/Canada) public record and open-source research, online monitoring and human intelligence gathering for pre-deal due diligence, litigation support matters, asset traces, complex frauds, internal investigations, threat-based investigations and anti-bribery/anti-corruption and other compliance-driven inquiries, particularly ESG due diligence.

The successful candidate will be a critical thinker with strong writing and communication skills, a deft, experienced user of investigative databases, and an alum of an established corporate investigations firm or unit. This is not an AML/KYC role, nor is it high-volume due diligence. This experienced investigator position requires a demonstrated ability to reliably conduct complex investigative projects in a rapid-paced environment, to collaborate with team members across the globe and across business lines in a complex organization, and to orient work product around client goals and needs.

The Associate Consultant will be interested in learning more about the investigations industry and will be comfortable guiding more junior Researchers, as well as directing subcontractors on discreet tasks. There are opportunities to develop specialties and to take on special projects as the Business Intelligence team continues to grow and develop. While this team covers US and Canada research, it works closely with teams across the world, and so this role requires global-mindedness. All our team roles have potential for growth and are part of a larger career trajectory.

Tasks and responsibilities

Research

• Conduct a range of investigations utilizing proprietary and specialist investigative databases, online public records and open sources in a variety of contexts for internal and external clients
• Conduct human source inquiries within legal and ethical guidelines and corroborate claims with fact-based research
• Conduct scoping research to support proposals and understand how investigative budgets are determined and the number of hours required for cases
• “Manage up” and demonstrate ownership of investigative work by anticipating the needs and requests of the case manager and keeping in mind the needs of the client throughout the project lifecycle, from initial client request to proposal drafting, acceptance, delivery and invoicing
• Brief and present findings, in writing, verbally and through charts and diagrams, to case managers
• Help manage junior investigators and subcontractors

Writing

• Summarize relevant research findings in a well-organized report
• Produce client-ready reports that are accurate, well-written and convey a narrative that prioritizes risk-relevant information

Teamwork

• Collaborate with team members in the report writing and feedback process

Requirements

• At least 2 years of relevant investigations experience, including sophisticated due diligence, litigation support investigations and ESG due diligence
• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Demonstrated research and analysis experience in related field, such as corporate investigations or private investigations
• Experience in the use of public records, including media and litigation databases and online search tools. Understanding of where public record information comes from and how to assess its validity
• Understanding of the US legal system and regulatory environment and basic knowledge of US and Canadian business and politics
• Inquisitiveness, creative problem-solving and attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills and critical thinking
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to process and synthesize large volumes of information
• Ability to be a team player and also to work autonomously
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and flexibility to work on multiple projects at once
• Knowledge of basic Microsoft Office programs: Word, Outlook, Excel, etc.
• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish and/or French desired
• Experience with/specialty in ESG due diligence desired

Benefits

• Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarized in the full job offer.
• Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasize the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.
• Medical Benefits, Prescription Benefits, FSA, Dental Benefits, Vision Benefits, Life and AD&D, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Disability Benefits, Voluntary Benefits, 401 (K) Retirement, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program.
• As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process.