Head of Specialty Complex Claims

AXIS•Alpharetta, NY

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

AXIS is seeking a Head of Specialty Complex Claims to join our North America Claims team. This role reports to the Head of North America Claims. As a direct report to the Head of North America Claims, the candidate should possess the ability to lead and develop a sophisticated team of claims professionals handling and managing a wide variety of claims with coverage issues as well as coverage litigation involving Casualty (Primary & Excess), Commercial Property, Financial & Professional Lines, Program Claims (all lines of business), Canada Claims (all lines of business), A&H Claims and serve as a resource for our international counterparts for claims involving domestic coverage issues and litigation. This role will be responsible for leading and developing a team of claims professionals that will be responsible for: Direct management of claims involving complex coverage issues as defined by the Head of North America Claims, including the investigation, analysis and evaluation of coverage liability and damages, within best practices Direct management of coverage disputes, including litigation and arbitration matters initiated by Axis issuing companies and when Axis issuing companies are parties to such litigation Formulating claims and litigation strategies, assigning, directing, and managing outside counsel in coverage litigation or arbitration Managing discovery issues and responses, including opportunities to ensure consistency as well as identifying relevant and responsive information and ensuring proper and adequate preparation of company witnesses for deposition and trial testimony Providing guidance to the North America Claims teams regarding coverage issues, coverage disputes and claim handling issues, including strategic direction as well as recommending and approving outside coverage counsel assignments Managing coverage counsel and litigation costs as well as collaborating and working with the Litigation Management and Vendor Management teams ensuring cost management and the development and enhancement of the coverage counsel panel Collaborating across disciplines and business units, including: the general counsel team overseeing errors and omissions issues arising from claims handling In addition, the Head of Specialty Complex will: Identify, liability and coverage trends and issues with both individual and portfolio impact and formulating the processes and strategies for handling such claims as well as the related coverage issues ensuring accurate and consistent claims management across impacted underwriting segments and lines of business. Support underwriting inquiries and information requests regarding policy construction and drafting, reporting claim trends, data analysis, and risk assessments Recruit, hire and retain top talent and develop appropriate succession plans Build and maintain key relationships with internal stakeholders ( e.g ., peers, Underwriting, Actuarial, various executive management leaders) and external stakeholders ( e.g ., brokers, insureds, attorneys, auditors, reinsurers, and vendors) Communicate with senior executives, brokers, reinsurers, actuaries, insureds, and auditors (both external and internal) Demonstrate ownership, leadership, strategic thinking, with respect to aspects of the role, including analysis, reporting and communication about portfolio risk exposures and coordination with International Counterparts. Actively coach and mentor direct reports, providing regular feedback, and developing employees for broader roles and responsibilities that support professional growth and development and working collaboratively with HR Business partner support and guidance. Reflect Axis Culture and Values – everyday demonstrate the Axis behaviors that support and align with Axis values: People, Decisiveness, Excellence and Stronger Together

Requirements

7-10+ years of claims management experience handling a wide variety of coverage issues and coverage litigation involving the various claims disciplines summarized previously
Demonstrated ability and experience handling coverage issues involving a wide variety of loss scenarios as well as reporting and presenting about same to senior management
In-depth knowledge of claims, litigation, arbitration, and trial processes as well as excellent analytical, investigative, and negotiating skills
Experience practicing law as well as claims management (both directly managed and TPA managed claims)
Ability to influence and collaborate at all organizational levels, both internally, externally, and within peer groups as well as the ability to identify and resolve complex, disputed claims
Analytical thinker that can drive results using all facets of the legal and claims processes
Understanding of and ability to balance both the immediate claim issues as well as the broader portfolio impact and customer service impact of coverage disputes and issues
Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to deal effectively with people with conflicting expectations, differing opinions, and multiple viewpoints
Law Degree and admission in good standing to one of the fifty state bars

Responsibilities

Direct management of claims involving complex coverage issues as defined by the Head of North America Claims, including the investigation, analysis and evaluation of coverage liability and damages, within best practices
Direct management of coverage disputes, including litigation and arbitration matters initiated by Axis issuing companies and when Axis issuing companies are parties to such litigation
Formulating claims and litigation strategies, assigning, directing, and managing outside counsel in coverage litigation or arbitration
Managing discovery issues and responses, including opportunities to ensure consistency as well as identifying relevant and responsive information and ensuring proper and adequate preparation of company witnesses for deposition and trial testimony
Providing guidance to the North America Claims teams regarding coverage issues, coverage disputes and claim handling issues, including strategic direction as well as recommending and approving outside coverage counsel assignments
Managing coverage counsel and litigation costs as well as collaborating and working with the Litigation Management and Vendor Management teams ensuring cost management and the development and enhancement of the coverage counsel panel
Collaborating across disciplines and business units, including: the general counsel team overseeing errors and omissions issues arising from claims handling
Identify, liability and coverage trends and issues with both individual and portfolio impact and formulating the processes and strategies for handling such claims as well as the related coverage issues ensuring accurate and consistent claims management across impacted underwriting segments and lines of business.
Support underwriting inquiries and information requests regarding policy construction and drafting, reporting claim trends, data analysis, and risk assessments
Recruit, hire and retain top talent and develop appropriate succession plans
Build and maintain key relationships with internal stakeholders ( e.g ., peers, Underwriting, Actuarial, various executive management leaders) and external stakeholders ( e.g ., brokers, insureds, attorneys, auditors, reinsurers, and vendors)
Communicate with senior executives, brokers, reinsurers, actuaries, insureds, and auditors (both external and internal)
Demonstrate ownership, leadership, strategic thinking, with respect to aspects of the role, including analysis, reporting and communication about portfolio risk exposures and coordination with International Counterparts.
Actively coach and mentor direct reports, providing regular feedback, and developing employees for broader roles and responsibilities that support professional growth and development and working collaboratively with HR Business partner support and guidance.
Reflect Axis Culture and Values – everyday demonstrate the Axis behaviors that support and align with Axis values: People, Decisiveness, Excellence and Stronger Together