Manager Audit Operations (Construction Contract Compliance)

Cotiviti

11d • $118,000 - $148,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Audit Operations (Construction Contract Compliance) provides day-to-day supervision and direction to a construction audit team focused on contract compliance and cost control for large capital projects. This role ensures that all audit activities are executed consistently and accurately, with strong adherence to Cotiviti methodology, client expectations, and construction industry standards. The ideal candidate is an accomplished, results-driven leader with deep experience in construction contract auditing, including AIA billing formats, job-cost reconciliation, GMP/CMAR contract structures, subcontract auditing, insurance cost validation, landlord/developer cost audits, bid leveling, and forensic evaluation of cost support. This role manages staffing assignments, oversees workload distribution, ensures quality control, and drives profitable audit outcomes. This is a U.S.-based hybrid role with periodic travel to construction sites as needed (up to ~20%).

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree required (Accounting, Finance, Business, Engineering, Construction Management preferred).
• 5–7+ years of construction auditing or capital project audit experience.
• Required experience with AIA billings, GMP/CMAR structures, job-cost reviews, TI projects, data centers, distribution centers, and other large capital types.
• Experience reviewing insurance costs, subcontracts, cost-plus agreements, change orders, developer/landlord billings.
• Experience with completed project audits and monthly pay application reviews.
• Experience with bid leveling and understanding how bid details translate into contract risk.
• Experience negotiating or supporting claim settlements between owners and contractors.
• Minimum 2 years of people management required.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Must be able to provide a dedicated, secure work area.
• Must be able to provide high-speed internet access/connectivity and office setup and maintenance.

Nice To Haves

• CCA strongly preferred.
• CFE, PE, CCM, PMP, or similar certification are desirable.
• Experience supporting legal counsel in disputes is a plus.
• Candidate must have substantial hands-on experience with: AIA billing formats and identifying anomalies or unsupported line items. Construction management software: Procore, Procure, Autodesk Build/BIM 360, Textura, CMiC, e-Builder, or comparable platforms. Document management tools: Bluebeam Revu for markup/measurement/version control. Insurance review, including GL, Builders Risk, OCIP/CCIP, and Workers’ Compensation policies, and validating allowable insurance billings. Subcontract audits: T&M validations, change orders, negotiated buyouts, back-charges. Job cost reconciliations across committed costs, actuals, payments, and cost-to-complete. Auditing GMP and CMAR contracts, including contingencies, fee caps, shared savings, self-perform costs, and general conditions. Developer and landlord audits: land acquisition, soft costs, carrying costs (interest and equity), lease costs, and TI allowances. Completed project audits, including final cost reconciliation and closeout review. Monthly pay application reviews, including stored materials, retainage, percent-complete validation, and subcontractor compliance. Bid process evaluation & bid leveling, including how bid assumptions drive contract structure and audit risk areas. Claim settlement experience, including negotiation between owners, contractors, and developers.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex financial and operational analyses of construction project documentation, including schedules of values, cost reports, change orders, buyout logs, labor productivity, and subcontractor payment applications.
• Identify cost variances, risk indicators, and contract non-compliance; synthesize findings and communicate insights to audit leadership and clients.
• Lead and review detailed construction audits to ensure adherence to AIA billing standards (G702/G703), GMP/CMAR contract terms, unit-price schedules, cost-plus agreements, allowances, and budget constraints.
• Validate billed costs across labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and general condition categories; identify billing errors, non-allowable costs, and recovery opportunities.
• Audit material purchases and subcontractor billings for proper procurement, pricing, and compliance with contractual terms.
• Assess buyout savings, escalation charges, rental rates, and service procurements; recommend improvements to strengthen controls.
• Serve as a primary client interface, co-owning key relationships with senior leadership.
• Deliver clear updates, interpret contract requirements, and present audit findings credibly.
• Use sound judgment in escalating issues internally or directly with the client.
• Lead and develop a team of construction auditors.
• Oversee recruitment, assignment of work, evaluation, coaching, and performance management.
• Promote a culture of accountability, development, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with HR on performance reviews, promotions, compensation decisions, and resolution of personnel matters.
• Ensure staff receive training on construction audit practices, contract interpretation, cost analysis, and use of tools/software.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous development of auditing skills and construction competency.
• Enhance Cotiviti’s construction audit methodology in areas such as contract analysis, digital document review, risk scoring, and change order evaluation.
• Innovate approaches to strengthen client acceptance and claim collectability.
• Foster collaboration and sharing of best practices across the audit organization.
• Structure workloads to meet productivity, utilization, and revenue targets.
• Prioritize high-value audit opportunities while ensuring timely completion.
• Proactively identify issues, root causes, and process improvements.
• Recommend enhancements to tools, processes, and analytic techniques.
• Demonstrate responsiveness, professionalism, and thoughtful problem-solving in all client interactions.
• Ensure high-quality audit documentation, thorough testing, and proper use of Cotiviti audit tools and construction software.
• Prepare or oversee the creation of comprehensive audit reports summarizing findings, root causes, financial recoveries, and recommendations.
• Tailor communication to the appropriate audience (contractors, project teams, executives).
• Maintain compliance with Cotiviti policies and construction auditing standards (e.g., NACA).
• Ensure confidentiality and secure handling of all data.
• Model Cotiviti values of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Complete all responsibilities as outlined in the annual performance review and/or goal setting.
• Complete all special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

• Cotiviti offers team members a competitive benefits package to address a wide range of personal and family needs, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance coverage, 401(k) savings plans, paid family leave, 9 paid holidays per year, and 17-27 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, depending on specific level and length of service with Cotiviti.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees