Senior Claims Specialist - Surety

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital - a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance. We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture. As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

AXIS is seeking a Senior Claim Specialist - Surety to join our North America Claims team. This role will report to the Head of TPA & Programs Claims. As a direct report to the Head of TPA & Programs Claims, the candidate should possess the ability to handle Surety in the short term and, over time, develop a sophisticated team of claims professionals handling and managing Surety Claims.

This role will be responsible for the handling of Surety Claims. The ideal candidate will ultimately grow, lead, and develop a team of claims professionals that will be responsible for:

• Direct management of claims including the investigation, analysis and evaluation of coverage liability and damages, within best practices

• Providing technical advice, training and guidance to direct reports and TPA/Contractor adjusters including strategic direction

• Recruiting, hiring and retaining top talent and develop appropriate succession plans

• Reviewing claims to determine nature of loss, coverage provided, and scope of claim and to guide strategic direction regarding settlement/disposition of claims

• Developing and maintaining relationships with internal and external partners as their lead contact within the claims department for assigned claims and the claims of his/her direct reports.

• Close collaboration with the Specialty Complex Claims team with regard to coverage disputes, including litigation and arbitration matters initiated by Axis issuing companies and when Axis issuing companies are parties to such litigation; Collaborating across disciplines and business units, including: the general counsel team overseeing errors and omissions issues arising from claims handling

• Escalating coverage issues and recommending outside coverage counsel assignments for approval where warranted

• Formulating claims and litigation strategies, assigning, directing, and managing outside counsel

• Managing costs, including use of 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 vendor panels

• Fostering relationships and communicating extensively with senior executives, brokers, reinsurers, actuaries, underwriters, insureds, and auditors (both external and internal)

• Supporting underwriting inquiries and information requests regarding policy construction and drafting, reporting claim trends, data analysis, and risk assessments

• Maintaining documentation of key line of business statistics and metrics

• Leading and participating in presentations and discussions with Underwriters and Insureds on large losses and claim trends

• Leading and participating in claim audits, audit wrap up meetings, and formal result reporting

• Identifying, 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 ensuring accurate and consistent claims management across impacted underwriting segments and lines of business.

• Actively coaching and mentoring 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.

• Other duties as assigned

KEY SKILLS & ABILITIES:

5-10+ years of claims management experience in Surety Claims, as well as:

• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skills or experience practicing law as well as claims management (both directly managed and TPA managed claims)

• Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate at all organizational levels, both internally and externally 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

• Demonstrated ability and experience handling casualty claims 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

• Bachelor's degree required.  JD a plus.

• Technical knowledge, skills, and training within the field to include:

• Complex coverage analysis and experience required

• Confidence in coverage, evaluation and reserving

• Excellent writing and editing skills

• Solid negotiation and settlement skills

• Supervisory perspective, with experience providing direction and authority to adjusters

• Familiarity with KPI, Data, and Metrics a plus

• Valid licenses by state as required and add states to certifications as needed

• Travel is associated with this role (e.g., team management, court proceedings, mediations, and settlement)

For this position, we expect to offer a base salary in the range of USD $145,000 - $170,000. The specific salary offer will be based on an assessment of a variety of factors, including the experience of the successful candidate and their work location. In addition, all employees are eligible for competitive incentive targets, with awards based on overall corporate and individual performance. On top of this, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes medical plans for employees and their families, health and wellness programs, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, paid vacation, and much more.