Strategic Panel Counsel Manager

The Hanover Insurance Group • Itasca, IL

81d

About The Position

The Hanover has been committed to delivering on our promises and being there when it matters the most. We live our values every day, demonstrating we CARE through our values, Sustainability initiatives and inclusive corporate culture. Our claims litigation management department is currently seeking a Strategic Panel Counsel Manager to join our growing team in the Worcester, MA, Itasca, IL or Windsor, CT office. We offer a flexible hybrid work model that supports a blend of in-office and remote work. Fully remote work arrangements are also considered. This is a Full Time/Exempt role. This position plays a key role in Hanover’s panel management program, providing strategic oversight and operational leadership across a portfolio of outside counsel firms. The role serves as a liaison with Claims to align panel composition with litigation goals and business priorities. Responsibilities include evaluating firm performance, facilitating onboarding and engagement, and managing communications related to rate changes and strategic updates. The candidate will leverage data analytics and reporting tools to assess firm effectiveness, recommend improvements, and support cost control initiatives. Additional duties include maintaining the panel counsel database, overseeing the vendor e-billing registration process, and contributing to cross-functional initiatives that advance legal operations and litigation strategy.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) and 5+ years of experience managing or overseeing litigation matters.
• Strong understanding of insurance claims litigation and related processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Power BI.
• Demonstrated data analytics capabilities and sound business judgment.
• Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution, with the ability to influence without compromising relationships.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders and external partners.
• Ability to remain calm and solution-focused in high-stakes or opposing-viewpoint discussions.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.
• Decisive and analytical, with the ability to assess complex issues and recommend actionable solutions.
• Proven customer focus and responsiveness to internal and external stakeholder needs.
• Excellent time management and ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience in project management, process improvement, and change management.
• Comfortable working both independently and in collaborative, cross-functional environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic liaison with Claims to align on evolving panel needs, litigation goals, and operational priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of law firms, ensuring consistent performance, strategic fit, and alignment with business objectives.
• Assess law firm performance against the Hanover’s performance expectations and deliver actionable insights for continuous improvement.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives and enterprise projects to support litigation strategy and legal operations transformation.
• Facilitate regular engagement meetings with law firms to reinforce expectations, share feedback, and cultivate collaboration.
• Draft formal communications to law firms regarding rate changes, performance feedback, and strategic updates.
• Oversee onboarding of new law firms, including orientation to business expectations, litigation guidelines, and performance standards.
• Mentor peers and serve as a subject matter expert on panel counsel operations, legal quality, and strategic engagement.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders across Claims, Finance, Legal Operations, Underwriting and other business units.
• Analyze firm-level data and performance metrics to inform strategic decision-making and drive operational excellence.
• Utilize advanced reporting tools to evaluate firm performance and recommend rate adjustments based on data-driven insights.
• Maintain and enhance the panel counsel database to ensure data integrity, accessibility, and compliance.
• Conduct legal quality audits of panel firms to assess performance, compliance, and strategic alignment.
• Negotiate rates and proactively explore cost saving measures to ensure fiscal discipline and adherence to enterprise guidelines.
• Coordinate law firm transitions and ensure seamless integration with claims systems, billing platforms, and operational workflows.
• Support the development, implementation, and enforcement of outside counsel processes, tools, and billing guidelines.
• Identify litigation trends and recommend process improvements to meet evolving business needs and optimize outcomes.
• Respond to internal requests and evaluate new firm additions based on strategic fit, performance history, and business needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401K with a company match
• Tuition reimbursement
• PTO
• Company paid holidays
• Flexible work arrangements
• Cultural Awareness Day in support of IDE
• On-site medical/wellness center (Worcester only)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees