Consultant, Claims - Indemnity Technical Specialty

Nationwide Mutual Insurance•Downers Grove, IL

9d•Onsite

About The Position

If you’re passionate about helping people protect what matters most to them at a Fortune 100 company with nearly $70 billion in annual sales, as well as innovating and simplifying processes and operations to provide the best customer value, then Nationwide’s Property and Casualty team could be the place for you! At Nationwide®, “on your side” goes beyond just words. Our customers and partners are at the center of everything we do and we’re looking for associates who are passionate about delivering extraordinary care. Demonstrates deep subject matter expertise in environmental liability, with a strong focus on legacy policies, traditional environmental claims, and mass toxic tort exposures. Possesses a comprehensive understanding of historical policy language, long-tail liability trends, and complex allocation methodologies. Skilled in evaluating and managing high-severity, multi-party environmental losses, including contamination, pollution, and latent injury claims. Proven ability to navigate evolving legal and regulatory frameworks while partnering with internal and external stakeholders to drive effective claim resolution strategies. Brings thoughtful judgment, technical rigor, and strategic oversight to complex environmental portfolios within the Excess & Casualty Unit (ECU). Our team handles some of the most unique and interesting insurance claims at Nationwide. Do you have deep insurance industry knowledge, good negotiation skills and understand litigation? If you like variety in your work, have desire to collaborate and bring fair resolution to sophisticated specialty claims, we want to hear from you! As a Claims Consultant, we'll count on you to investigate and resolve specialty claims including asbestos, toxic tort, sexual molestation and environmental claims. This position may involve both latent claims as well as emerging specialty or mass tort litigation on current policies. This role is responsible for the entirety of the claim lifecycle from first notice of loss through claim resolution, reporting and closure. This role may involve handling claims in a variety of claim systems for any or all Nationwide related underwriting companies.

Requirements

Extensive experience, professional coursework, and a strong understanding of regulatory and legal issues.
Undergraduate degree in insurance, legal, business, or management required.
State licensing where required.
8+ years of asbestos, environmental or complex claims experience required.
Proven superior knowledge of the best claims practices used to resolve the most severe and technically complex claims.
Demonstrated knowledge of insurance contracts and legal aspects affecting regulatory and liability issues that relate to environmental and other specialty claims.
Proven ability to meet customer needs and provide outstanding service by informing customers of the claims process and ensuring a positive customer experience.
Ability to lead and train employees in all aspects of specialty claims review.
Advanced verbal and written communication skills for interaction with technical professionals, insureds, federal agencies, the legal profession and other insurance companies.
Ability to handle and prioritize multiple assignments.
Other criteria, including leadership skills, competencies and experiences may take precedence.
Staffing exceptions to the above must be approved by the hiring manager’s leader and Human Resource Business Partner.
Regularly and consistently demonstrates the Nationwide Values.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree/coursework preferred.
Relevant professional designations or certifications desirable (CPCU, CLU, IIA, AEI, etc.).

Responsibilities

Responsible for timely and accurate coverage investigation and positioning of claims including subject matter expertise in long tail coverage issues and maximizing cost sharing, apportionment, allocation and other risk transfer opportunities.
Detailed and thorough liability investigation including thorough claim evaluation with identification of critical issues driving claim outcome and appropriate identification of severity and risk.
Communication of claim evaluation through narratives and presentation to various stakeholders and senior leaders as claim risk demands.
Cultivates relationships with insureds and defense counsel engaging in various litigation management tactics with extraordinary care for Nationwide members.
Provides reserve analysis to ensure timely and accurate case reserves according to optimal claims practices.
Routinely handles the most volatile and high value risks facing Nationwide.
Understands nuances of complex claim negotiations and actively engages with various resolution strategies and tactics.
Maintains expert knowledge through the pursuit of industry and specialized knowledge through continuous education, conference attendance or other means.
Serves as internal consultant and subject matter authority for assigned specialty, actively mentors others and is engaged in technical, operational or other team initiatives, leading and/or serving on strategic initiatives and team projects as requested.
Collaborates and reports data and trends to key stakeholders, building relationships and strengthening Nationwide’s position as a World Class Underwriting Company.
Assists with establishing unit goals that are consistent with Nationwide Indemnity goals, mission and objectives.
Responsible for achieving goals.
Actively engage in new technologies and business data insights in daily tasks and decision making.
May perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

medical/dental/vision
life insurance
short and long term disability coverage
paid time off with newly hired associates receiving a minimum of 18 days paid time off each full calendar year pro-rated quarterly based on hire date
nine paid holidays
8 hours of Lifetime paid time off
8 hours of Unity Day paid time off
401(k) with company match
company-paid pension plan
business casual attire