Lease Audit Sr. Manager

Job Title

Lease Audit Sr. Manager

Job Description Summary

The Lease Audit Team operates within the Global Portfolio Lease Administration service line, supporting approximately 400 corporate client accounts and generating a significant stream of annual revenue. The team plays a critical role in driving financial accuracy, cost recovery, and value optimization across complex, global real estate portfolios.

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, audit history, 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 

 

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  

·       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  

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

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

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

·       Partner with PLA Leadership to identify cross-sell opportunities and expand service offerings 

·       Assist with development of case studies that demonstrate successful outcomes for our clients 

Financial Oversight & Accountability  

·       Partner with the Global Head of PLA, Americas PLA Lead, and GOS Finance to develop annual budget and forecasts for the Lease Audit function 

·       Own achievement of annual Lease Audit revenue and profitability targets 

·       Monitor and analyze monthly and YTD financials prepared by GOS Finance, proactively addressing any negative variances 

·       Maintain strong cost control discipline to ensure efficient and profitable operations 

Key Skills & Qualifications 

·       CPA required  

·       Proven experience in lease audit, financial analysis, or real estate accounting  

·       Strong leadership and team development capabilities  

·       Expertise in client relationship management and strategic account oversight  

·       Experience managing billing, accounts receivable, and revenue tracking  

·       Demonstrated ability in process improvement and SOP development (Playbook ownership)  

·       Familiarity with Smartsheet or comparable project tracking tools preferred  

·       Experience in cross-regional collaboration and global portfolio management  

·       Strong audit execution, review, and quality assurance skills  

·       Experience managing third-party vendors and external partners  

Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills