Claims Specialist, Environmental Claims

AXIS (AXIS Capital) • Short Hills, NJ

1d • $87,000 - $110,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

AXIS Capital is hiring a Claims Specialist for its North America Claims Team to manage primary and excess environmental claims under AXIS-issued policies. The portfolio includes claims involving pollution, contamination, toxic exposure, remediation, toxic tort, bodily injury, property damage, and related coverage issues. The role works with internal claims leadership and business partners, as well as coverage and defense counsel, underwriting, actuarial, brokers, reinsurers, insureds, and vendors.

The Claims Specialist investigates, evaluates, and resolves environmental claims in a disciplined, timely, and technically sound manner. The position assesses coverage, liability, damages, litigation strategy, reserves, and settlement value, including complex matters involving long-tail exposure, remediation, regulatory considerations, and contested coverage or liability issues. The role also supports strong claim outcomes and consistent handling across the Environmental Claims portfolio.

The position requires being in the office three days per week and adherence to AXIS licensing requirements. Compensation includes a stated base salary range of $87,000–$110,000, competitive target incentive compensation based on corporate and individual performance, and a benefits package. The position is exempt for FLSA purposes when based in the United States.

Requirements

• Experience handling environmental, pollution, toxic tort, construction defect, casualty, or other complex liability claims.
• Strong understanding of coverage, liability, damages, reserving, litigation management, and settlement evaluation.
• Ability to assess complex facts and policy language and develop practical claim strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing concise claim summaries, reserve rationales, and recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively with defense counsel, coverage counsel, experts, vendors, brokers, insureds, reinsurers, underwriters, actuaries, and claims leadership.
• Sound judgment in evaluating litigation risk, settlement value, and claim exposure.
• Ability to manage legal spend and vendor costs in a disciplined and outcome-focused manner.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage a pending inventory of complex claims.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and staying current on environmental claims trends, legal developments, and regulatory issues.
• Ability to contribute to team best practices, claim process improvements, and knowledge sharing.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to operate in a dynamic, high-performing claims environment.
• Adherence to AXIS licensing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assess environmental claims to determine coverage, liability, damages, settlement value, and appropriate claim strategy.
• Manage a pending inventory of primary and excess environmental claims, including pollution, contamination, toxic exposure, remediation, and related bodily injury or property damage matters.
• Investigate facts, evaluate policy terms, and coordinate with coverage counsel where appropriate.
• Establish and maintain appropriate reserves based on liability, damages, coverage, litigation posture, and settlement potential.
• Collaborate with defense counsel, coverage counsel, experts, environmental consultants, vendors, and insureds to drive claim resolution.
• Develop litigation and resolution strategies for complex, high-exposure, or contentious claims.
• Manage legal, expert, and vendor costs in coordination with Litigation Management and Vendor Management teams.
• Communicate with senior claims leadership, brokers, reinsurers, actuaries, underwriters, insureds, auditors, and external business partners.
• Prepare claim notes, coverage assessments, reserve rationales, settlement recommendations, and large loss reports as needed.
• Identify trends, emerging exposures, coverage issues, and portfolio risks affecting Environmental Claims.
• Support claim process improvements, best practices, and consistent claim handling standards.
• Participate in industry events, professional associations, and continuing education to stay current on environmental claims trends.
• Serve as a resource to colleagues on environmental claim handling, coverage issues, litigation management, and resolution strategy.

Benefits

• Medical plans for employees and their families
• Health and wellness programs
• Retirement plans
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid vacation
• Competitive target incentive compensation based on overall corporate and individual performance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed