Office Location
London or Birmingham
About Us
RICS is a global professional body that sets and upholds standards across land, property, construction and infrastructure.
Our work shapes how people experience the built environment; from the homes we live in to the infrastructure that supports economies and communities. Through our global membership and professional standards, we promote confidence, consistency and integrity across the sector.
Acting in the public interest is central to everything we do. Our independent regulatory function, overseen by the Standards & Regulation Board, ensures that standards are applied consistently and that the profession operates with transparency, accountability and trust.
RICS’ Dispute Resolution Services (DRS) play a key role in this work, providing trusted and independent mechanisms for resolving disputes in the UK and internationally.
Role Purpose and Key Responsibilities
2026 marks the 50th anniversary of RICS’ Dispute Resolution Services, a significant milestone reflecting its established reputation and public interest role. This position will shape the next phase of DRS’ development and future market direction.
The Director of ADR Strategy and Market Growth will lead and expand RICS’ Dispute Resolution Services as a recognised ADR service operating in the public interest.
Reporting to the Senior Executive Officer, Standards & Regulation, and working closely with the DRS Executive Director, the role will set the strategic direction for DRS in the UK and priority international markets and will be accountable for ensuring that agreed strategy is delivered in practice.
This is a senior leadership role combining commercial growth, operational delivery and regulatory responsibility. It offers a distinctive opportunity to shape how a respected global professional body develops a dispute resolution service that is both commercially successful and trusted.
Key areas of focus:
Defining and implementing a clear and sustainable growth strategy for DRS, strengthening its standing and recognition in key markets.
Establishing and developing a recognised ADR Centre in RICS’ Westminster office, focused on construction and built environment disputes.
Building a consistent and reliable flow of work across DRS services, ensuring financial sustainability and repeat instructions.
Ensuring DRS activity is well supported and coordinated across RICS, including marketing, sales, finance, communications and product development.
In the early stages, the role will require a hands-on approach, shaping direction, laying strong foundations and taking responsibility for delivery. As DRS evolves, the role will expand to build and lead a dedicated team while maintaining overall accountability for performance and outcomes.
The Director will also act as a senior ambassador for DRS, developing relationships with governments, regulators, industry bodies, professional communities and partners. Through this, the role will identify opportunities for new work, strengthen RICS’ profile in dispute resolution and ensure that growth is delivered ethically, sustainably and in line with RICS’ regulatory purpose.
This is an opportunity to help build and further develop a global ADR service within a respected international organisation, operating with a high degree of autonomy and senior level influence.
The role offers the chance to combine commercial leadership with public interest impact, and to play a leading role in how dispute resolution develops across the built environment.
This is a hybrid role with 60% of your time spent in the office and 40% remote.
About You
You are a senior commercial and strategic leader, with a track record of growing and leading services in dispute resolution, legal services, or closely related professional sectors.
You are comfortable operating in complex, high-profile environments, balancing commercial objectives with reputational and regulatory considerations.
You will bring:
A track record of increasing work, income and market presence within a professional or legal services context
Strong understanding of ADR, dispute resolution or closely related sectors
Experience operating across multiple jurisdictions
Experience of building or developing services, teams or business areas
Confidence engaging at Board and senior executive level
Strong commercial and financial awareness
The ability to work both strategically and in a hands-on way, particularly in developing or evolving functions
Excellent relationship building, influencing and communication skills
Sound judgement, integrity, and a clear commitment to operating in the public interest
Desirable: Experience in ADR or dispute resolution environments, and/or a postgraduate qualification in a relevant field
Rewards and Benefits
RICS offers a benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, financial security and work life balance, including private medical insurance, income protection, life assurance, an Aviva Group Personal Pension scheme, 25 days’ annual leave plus public holidays and an office closure over Christmas, enhanced family leave policies, wellbeing and volunteering days, and access to mental health support and staff led community groups.
Equal Opportunity Employer
RICS is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace where people feel respected, supported and able to thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, including those whose career paths may not follow a traditional route.
If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know.
We are committed to making our process as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
How to Apply
Click Apply to complete our short application form. You will be asked to upload your CV and provide a brief statement telling us why the role interests you and how your experience relates to the skills and experience we are looking for.
We encourage you to apply as soon as you feel ready, as we may close the advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications.
