Contracts and Claims Specialist

Luster National
Los Angeles, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have 5+ years of experience in contract administration and construction claims on large infrastructure projects.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 5+ years of experience in contract administration and claims for large infrastructure projects
    — “5+ years of contract administration and construction claims experience for large (>$500M), complex, heavy-civil infrastructure projects.”
  • Professionals skilled in interpreting construction contracts and building entitlement narratives
    — “Ability to interpret construction contract documents, plans, specifications, and cost and schedule records, and to build an entitlement narrative from the contemporaneous record.”
  • Individuals with experience in dispute resolution and claim strategy development
    — “Coordinate with counsel, claims consultants, project controls, and finance staff on claim strategy, document production, and responses to formal demands.”

Things to consider

  • This role requires prior experience with claims exceeding $10M in disputed value for preferred candidates
    — “Experience serving as the owner’s lead analyst on a claim exceeding $10M in disputed value.”
  • Candidates must be prepared to work on projects with high construction values, potentially up to $100M+
    — “Experience supporting contract administration and claims on a package exceeding $100M in construction value.”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with time impact analyses and delay claims in your resume and interviews
    — “Experience preparing or reviewing time impact analyses, as-planned versus as-built comparisons, or windows analyses supporting delay claims.”
  • Emphasize your ability to organize and assemble detailed contemporaneous records for claims
    — “Assemble the contemporaneous record behind each claim, pulling daily reports, correspondence, requests for information, submittals, inspection records, and meeting minutes into a package.”
  • Demonstrate your proficiency with CPM scheduling software like Primavera P6 or Unifier
    — “Experience with industry standard contract administration, document management, and CPM scheduling software (e.g., Unifier, Aconex, e-Builder, Primavera P6, etc.).”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Successfully evaluated and managed complex claims
  • Developed effective negotiation strategies
Typical background
Experience in construction claimsLegal or engineering background

Skills & requirements

Required

Contract AnalysisClaims EvaluationCost AnalysisScheduling CoordinationRecord AssemblyNegotiation

Preferred

Dispute ResolutionLegal Compliance

About the role

Original posting from Luster National via Greenhouse

About the Positions

We’re seeking Contracts and Claims Specialists of various skill levels to support large, complex heavy civil infrastructure programs, including highways, roads, bridges, transit (bus and rail), aviation (international airports), and water/wastewater projects delivered through both traditional and alternative delivery methods. These are construction claims and disputes roles, meaning contract claims rather than insurance adjusting. You’ll evaluate claims and requests for equitable adjustment for entitlement and quantum, test claimed cost and time against the contract and the contemporaneous record, and develop a position that holds up in negotiation, in front of a dispute review board, and in whatever comes after that. Contract administration is part of the job, but the center of it is what happens when the parties stop agreeing.

This post is for future roles and not for a specific opportunity that is available right now. We accept applications and conduct interviews in advance of upcoming hiring needs. When a candidate is selected, their profile is activated in our talent pool for this specialty area. We notify our talent pool candidates first whenever we have a project need.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Note: We are seeking candidates of various skill levels, and the following responsibilities represent the core of these roles. Scope and complexity increase with experience level.

Analyze claims and notices of potential claim and lost productivity, and evaluate entitlement against the contract provisions that govern each one.

Evaluate requests for equitable adjustment and disputed change proposals for entitlement, merit, and cost reasonableness, and recommend a position supported by the record.

Review claimed costs, including labor, equipment, materials, extended field and home office overhead, and markup, against contract provisions, force account records, and submitted cost backup.

Identify unsupported, duplicated, or misclassified amounts.

Coordinate with scheduling staff to evaluate time impact analyses and time extension requests against the accepted baseline and the contemporaneous progress schedules.

Assemble the contemporaneous record behind each claim, pulling daily reports, correspondence, requests for information, submittals, inspection records, and meeting minutes into a package that supports the program’s position.

Verify that notices meet the timing and content requirements of the contract, and track responses so contractual response periods are met and the program’s defenses stay intact.

Develop independent cost estimates and quantity checks on roadway, structures, and utility work to test contractor pricing on disputed changes and claims.

Prepare claim position papers, findings of fact, and recommendations for program decision-makers, dispute review boards, and mediation or arbitration panels.

Support negotiation and settlement of disputed changes and claims by developing entitlement and quantum summaries, cost comparisons, and a documented basis of settlement.

Evaluate claims arising in active operating environments, including restricted service windows, access limits, and facility shutdowns.

Coordinate with counsel, claims consultants, project controls, and finance staff on claim strategy, document production, and responses to formal demands.

Track open claims and disputed exposure by contract for program leadership.

Attributes

Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills.

Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships.

Natural curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, quantity surveying, or finance, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

5+ years of contract administration and construction claims experience for large (>$500M), complex, heavy-civil infrastructure projects.

Experience analyzing or supporting claims, requests for equitable adjustment, or disputed change proposals for entitlement, cost, and schedule impact.

Working knowledge of standard construction contract terms and public agency contracting requirements, including notice, changes, differing site conditions, delay, and disputes provisions.

Ability to interpret construction contract documents, plans, specifications, and cost and schedule records, and to build an entitlement narrative from the contemporaneous record.

Experience with industry standard contract administration, document management, and CPM scheduling software (e.g., Unifier, Aconex, e-Builder, Primavera P6, etc.).

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in construction management, civil engineering, quantity surveying, or finance.

Active professional certifications such as CPCM (NCMA), CCM (CMAA), and/or CCP or CFCC (AACE).

Experience serving as the owner’s lead analyst on a claim exceeding $10M in disputed value.

Experience supporting contract administration and claims on a package exceeding $100M in construction value.

Experience carrying a claim beyond the project level through a dispute review board, mediation, arbitration, or litigation, including document production and support to counsel.

Experience preparing or reviewing time impact analyses, as-planned versus as-built comparisons, or windows analyses supporting delay claims, including the treatment of concurrent delay.

Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.

Compensation Details

Expected Salary: $90k-$155k/year ($43-$75/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidate’s level and years of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!

Unlimited flexible time off

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)

Long-term disability insurance

Short-term disability insurance

Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment

401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution

Formal career planning and development program

$2,500 annually toward professional development

Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend

Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement

Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian

Free personal financial planning services

Employee assistance program

Employee discounts

Employee referral bonus

Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer.

If you wish to be considered for a position where there is not an active job posted, please search for our 'General Application' and apply. 

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes from any third-party. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster. 

Please email hiring@luster.com for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.

Source: Luster National careers (Greenhouse)

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