Senior Claims Specialist - Surety - Axis Capital Holdings

AXIS is seeking aSenior Claim Specialist–Suretyto join our North America Claims team. This rolewill reporttothe Head ofTPA & ProgramsClaims. As a direct report to the Head ofTPA & ProgramsClaims,the candidate shouldpossessthe ability tohandleSuretyin the short term and, over time,develop a sophisticated team of claims professionals handling and managingSuretyClaims. 

This role willbe responsible forthe handling ofSuretyClaims. The ideal candidate willultimatelygrow,lead,and developa teamof claims professionals that willbe responsible for: 

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

• Providingtechnical advice, training andguidance to direct reportsand TPA/Contractor adjustersincluding strategic direction  

• Recruiting,hiringandretainingtop talent and developappropriate successionplans 

• Reviewingclaims todeterminenature of loss, coverage provided, and scope of claim and toguide strategic directionregardingsettlement/dispositionofclaims 

• Developingandmaintainingrelationships 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 SpecialtyComplexClaimsteamwith regard tocoverage disputes, including litigation and arbitrationmattersinitiatedby 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 claimshandling 

• Escalating coverage issues and recommending outside coverage counsel assignmentsfor approvalwherewarranted 

• 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 thevendorpanels  

• Fosteringrelationships and communicatingextensively with senior executives, brokers, reinsurers, actuaries,underwriters,insureds, and auditors (both external and internal) 

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

• Maintainingdocumentation of key line of business statistics and metrics 

• Leadingandparticipatingin presentations and discussions with Underwriters and Insureds on large losses and claim trends 

• Leading andparticipatingin claim audits, audit wrap up meetings, and formal resultreporting 

• 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 ensuringaccurateand 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 asassigned 

KEY SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

5-10+ years of claims management experienceinSuretyClaims,as well as: 

• Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and management skillsor 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 toidentifyand resolve complex, disputedclaims 

• Analytical thinker that can drive results using allfacetsof the legal and claimsprocesses  

• 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 andissues 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to deal effectively with people with conflicting expectations, differing opinions, and multipleviewpoints  

• Demonstrated ability and experience handlingcasualtyclaimsinvolving a wide variety of loss scenarios as well as reporting and presenting about same to seniormanagement  

• In-depth knowledge of claims, litigation, arbitration, and trial processes as well as excellent analytical, investigative, and negotiating skills 

• Bachelor’s degreerequired.  JD a plus. 

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

• Complex coverage analysis and experiencerequired 

• Confidence in coverage,evaluationand reserving 

• Excellent writing and editingskills 

• Solid negotiation and settlement skills 

• Supervisory perspective, with experience providing direction and authority toadjusters 

• Familiarity with KPI, Data, and Metrics a plus 

• Valid licenses by state asrequiredand add states to certifications asneeded 

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