Lease Audit Sr. Manager

Cushman & Wakefield · Flexible Location, United States

Job Title

Job Description Summary

The Lease Audit Sr. Manager leads the Lease Audit function within Portfolio Lease Administration (PLA), delivering full-scope audits of commercial real estate leases with a focus on operating expenses (OpEx), common area maintenance (CAM), real estate taxes, and insurance pass-throughs. This role ensures clients pay only what their leases require, recovers overcharges from landlords, and prevents future overbilling. The Sr. Manager also plays a key role in growing the business by using audit results, portfolio insights, and client relationships to win new work, expand services, and increase revenue.

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities

Operations, Team Leadership & Governance

Team Leadership

· Lead and manage a high-performing, multidisciplinary Lease Audit Team, including:

- 4 auditors responsible for full-scope lease audits

- 1 Lease Audit Coordinator supporting operations, billing, and audit tracking

· Recruit, develop, and retain top-tier talent, fostering a results-driven and collaborative team culture

· Conduct annual performance evaluations and mid-year reviews, delivering actionable feedback and development plans

· Establish clear performance objectives aligned with business priorities and provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and support

· Ensure quality assurance, consistency, and adherence to audit standards across all deliverables

· Celebrate success by sharing kudos, employee recognition, individual and team achievements, and facilitate regular line of sight to senior leadership

Audit Billing Coordination and Preparation

· Oversee end-to-end audit billing processes, including:

· Preparation of client invoices

· Coordination with auditors, accounting teams, and internal/external stakeholders

· Monitor receivables, proactively manage delinquencies, and ensure revenue integrity

· Track and manage third-party audit firm billing thresholds and approvals

· Ensure timely payment to third-party vendors following client collections

Process Development and Maintenance

· Own, maintain, and continuously enhance the Lease Audit Team Playbook and standard operating procedures

· Ensure alignment with evolving GAAP standards and Cushman & Wakefield policies

· Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, scalability, and service quality

Project and Task Tracking

· Oversee project tracking and reporting using tools such as Smartsheet, including:

· Active audit pipelines and project status

· Billing, receivables, and financial metrics

· Ensure data accuracy and visibility to support operational decision-making and leadership reporting

Lease Audit Project Management

Audit Management

· Direct and drive the success of multiple client engagements

· Lead and oversee a large portfolio of client engagements, while managing a consistent high volume of concurrent audits on a rolling basis

· Prioritize audit activity based on property type, lease structure (e.g., NNN, modified gross, full-service gross), operating expense trends and year-over-year variances, audit history, audit rights deadlines, recovery potential, and other salient factors, optimizing resource allocation and revenue generation

· Drive successful execution while maintaining quality, timelines, efficiency, and client expectations

· Collaborate with EMEA and APAC teams to support global client engagements

Audit Execution

· Act as a player/coach by leading the team while independently managing complex audit assignments

· Provide technical expertise, guidance, and escalation support for high-impact audits and/or unique audits with a high degree of complexity

· Oversee full-scope audits of landlord operating expense, CAM, real estate tax, and insurance reconciliations, verifying billed charges against lease terms, amendments, and abstracts

· Validate tenant pro rata share calculations, including rentable square footage, building and project denominators, and allocation methodologies across multi-building or mixed-use properties

· Test application of base year, expense stop, and gross-up provisions, ensuring variable expenses are properly adjusted for building occupancy

· Confirm compliance with controllable expense caps (cumulative and non-cumulative), management and administrative fee limits, and excluded cost provisions such as capital expenditures, landlord overhead, leasing commissions, and financing costs

· Review landlord general ledger detail, invoices, tax bills, and insurance documentation to identify overcharges, duplicate billings, misallocated costs, and improper capital amortization

· Audit base rent, escalations, and other lease charges, and verify that rent abatements, allowances, credits, and other concessions have been properly applied

· Monitor audit rights provisions, including notice requirements, audit windows, and lookback periods, so clients do not lose recovery opportunities

· Lead negotiations with landlords and property managers to resolve audit findings, secure settlements, and confirm recoveries are credited or refunded to clients

· Review and approve audit findings reports that quantify recoveries, cost avoidance, and future savings, and recommend lease language improvements for future renewals and negotiations

Reporting & Communication

· Ensure timely delivery of client-facing Lease Audit status reports (monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly)

· Oversee preparation of quarterly reporting for PLA and IPM Leadership teams

· Track and report key audit metrics, including dollars identified, dollars recovered, recovery rates, aged findings, and cost avoidance

· Deliver clear, concise, and actionable insights to stakeholders

Third-Party Coordination:

· Manage relationships with third-party auditors and vendors to ensure:

· Timely project execution

· Accurate reporting and billing

· Leverage third-party providers to address capacity constraints and mitigate potential conflicts of interest

Client Relationship Management

· Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, ensuring a high level of satisfaction throughout the audit lifecycle

· Proactively identify risks and resolve issues through root cause analysis and solution-driven approaches

· Exhibit subject matter expertise through thought leadership, best practices, and insights on emerging trends and innovation

Business Development

· Represent the Lease Audit function in client pitches, onboarding discussions, and strategic meetings

· Use audit results, including recovery dollars, recovery rates, and client success stories, as proof points in pitches, proposals, and RFP responses

· Partner with brokerage and operational teams to support new business and client expansion initiatives

· Conduct portfolio assessments for prospects and existing clients, using lease structure, rent and operating expense spend, and audit history to estimate recovery potential and build a compelling business case

· Contribute to revenue growth by identifying and promoting innovative solutions and service enhancements

· Position lease audit as a value-added service alongside lease administration, transaction management, and facilities and property management, and as an entry point for new client relationships

· Support business development efforts, contributing to approximately 15% of team capacity

· Partner with PLA Leadership on pricing and fee structures, including contingency (percentage-of-recovery), fixed-fee, and hybrid models, and draft scope of work language for leas

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