Sr. Manager of Liability

 SUMMARY

The Senior Manager of Liability will assist the Sr Director of Litigation and Liability in the development

and management of a team of liability adjusters to include overseeing property and commercial liability claims as well as contractual coverage issues. Assists Sr Director in the identification of exposures and recommends claim resolution in compliance with procedures, policy, statute and case authority.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

·         Supervise and direct the development and execution of plans and strategies for personal and commercial lines litigated and pre-litigated liability claims, as warranted

·         Oversight of reporting staff to ensure litigated and pre-litigated claims are handled in a timely, effective manner consistent with legal strategies, as well as support, coach, counsel and, as needed, performance manage any such direct reports.

• Working pro-actively across multiple business units, establishing and maintaining effective relationships with key members of management and staff, and serving as a liaison between the businesses and outside counsel.
• Focuses on key elements of claims execution, including delegation, setting expectations, measuring performance, and holding people accountable.
  
• Assists in the development, implementation and maintenance of policies, procedures, processes, guidelines and supporting tools of and for the Claims Litigation & Liability Department.
• Provides expertise across the claims operation to create and support quality control measures, strategies and initiatives.
• Identifies training and development needs and may participate in development and facilitation of training across the department, as well as perform semiannual and annual performance reviews.
• Conducts open and closed file audits of liability staff (and other staff, as assigned); and solicits feedback from claims managers, litigation specialists, and corporate representatives to ensure adherence to best practices.
• Identifies and addresses trends to provide meaningful developmental coaching and feedback to claim staff, attorneys, and legal assistants about audits completed. 
• Creates development plans to address growth opportunities.

·         Review of new liability claims and suits against the company and claim files to provide recommendations as to the handling of same, including assignment to panel firms.

·         Recognizes, promotes, and participates in settlement opportunities including mediations, arbitrations, trial preparation and/or settlement conferences.

·         Negotiates as authorized and ensures all direct reports negotiate only as authorized.

·         Reviews performance and predictive analytics data to effectively assess and manage loss and litigation expenses, staff performance and attorney performance. 

• Managing and directing outside counsel in an efficient, effective manner in order to reduce litigation costs and drive appropriate claim resolution.
• In selective and appropriate cases, directs, supervises and/or handles matters without outside counsel

·         Assists in other areas of the litigation department, subrogation department or other departments as required.

·         Travels for attendance at trial, mediations, arbitrations, hearings and as otherwise required.

·         Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has management responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

BS/BA in business or related field required. MBA and/or Insurances Designations, such as AIC, CPCU, SCLA are a plus.

Must have at least 15  years claims experience and 10 years of combined personal and commercial lines liability management experience, in the areas of coverage, investigation, evaluations, litigation and negotiation and other resolution techniques. Must model ethics and integrity.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Continuously maintain all licenses required to perform work in the states we currently complete business in.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to drive change and influence individuals at all levels of the organization and to take appropriate risks.
• Values diversity and has the ability to empower and motivate others.
• Must be flexible and able to handle multiple priorities, as well as be willing to lead change efforts. 
• Considered a subject matter expert within the realm of First Party Property litigation and possesses strong leadership skills to manage this area of expertise.
• Comprehensive knowledge of legal terminology and procedure and strong command of relevant case law.
• Ability to accurately interpret property and casualty insurance policies.
• Significant negotiation skills, good time management skills, organizational skills, excellent analytical and legal skills.
• Ability to effectively coach, empower and a lead a team to achieve operational milestones and goals.
• Ability to set work priorities and make recommendations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both public and private settings.
• Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards; personal and professional integrity, unquestioned discretion in maintaining confidentiality.
• PC Literate with a firm understanding of Microsoft Office Programs.

·         Understand industry standards to assess potential effect of jury views and trial outcomes.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTE:  This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.  While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, Frontline Homeowners Insurance reserves the right to revise the functions and duties of the job or to require that additional or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.

I have carefully read and understand the contents of this job description.  I understand the responsibilities and duties expected of me. I also understand that this job description does not constitute a contract of employment nor alter my status as an at-will employee.  I have the right to terminate my employment at any time and for any reason and Frontline Insurance has a similar right.