Claims and Change Specialist

About the Position
We are seeking an experienced
Claims and
Change Specialist
to join our team on major NY transit and infrastructure projects. This role is critical in managing project changes to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, budgetary constraints, and schedule commitments. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in claims and change management processes within large-scale heavy civil or transportation projects.

This is a long-term, on-site position located in New York City.

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

• Oversee and manage the change control process for a large-scale heavy-civil design-build contract, ensuring alignment with contract terms and client procedures while utilizing Unifier and other required tracking tools.
• Evaluate and confirm change requests submitted by the Design-Builder, adhering to contractual timelines and client guidelines.
• Conduct research and provide recommendations regarding the validity and merit of Notices of Change.
• Develop comprehensive documentation for each change request, including cost and schedule impact assessments in collaboration with project controls teams (estimators and schedulers).
• Partner with estimators, schedulers, and construction management teams to analyze potential impacts.
• Keep accurate and up-to-date records of all change orders and approvals within the authorized project change log.
• Lead meetings to address changes, resolve disputes, or clarify issues in coordination with construction management and contract administration teams.
• Deliver consistent status updates and reports to the project team on a weekly basis or more frequently as required.
• Assist in negotiating change orders by organizing sessions with the Design-Builder and PMT staff and preparing negotiation summaries.
• Ensure adherence to client C&D standards and procurement requirements throughout all change management activities.
• Provide support for audits and reviews related to change control processes.

Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. You are a persuasive communicator and skilled negotiator who builds trust across technical, legal, and executive audiences.
• Excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate schedule and cost data into actionable commercial strategies.
• Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork, trust, and positive relationships and thrives in multidiscipline, owner-representative environments.
• Natural curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• 7+ years of hands-on contracts, change order, or claims management experience on heavy-civil infrastructure programs. major transit or rail programs, including at least one project exceeding $500 million total contract value.
• Experience with alternative delivery methods (e.g., DB, CM/GC, P3) and associated risk-allocation mechanisms.
• Demonstrated successful negotiation strategy and achieving favorable commercial outcomes for public sector transit owners or operators.
• Ability to interpret design documents, schedules, cost reports, and commercial terms to build clear entitlement narratives and quantum analyses.
• Proficiency with industry standard project management, schedule/cost and/or EDMS tools (e.g., P6, EcoSys, Unifier, MS Project, Bluebeam, etc.)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Construction Law, or MBA.
• One or more of the following certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP through PMI), National Contract Management Association (NCMA) certifications such as Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) or Certified Contract Manager (CCM).
• Prior success steering claims through mediation, DRB, or litigation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.

Compensation Details
The salary range listed for this role is $145k-$176k/year ($70-$85/hour). The final salary offered will be based on multiple factors and thoughtfully aligned with each candidate's level of experience, breadth of skills, total education achieved, certifications/licenses that have been obtained, geographic location, etc.

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.
#IN-LNJS
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. 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 for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.