Liability claims manager

This position is responsible for overseeing the management of liability and property claims, ensuring efficient resolution and effective claims handling. It involves supervising staff, providing training and support, and guiding claims investigations, coverage decisions, and settlement negotiations. Additionally, the role includes managing risk transfer opportunities and collaborating with various departments to ensure successful outcomes for the Pool and its Members.

Essential Functions

Required Responsibilities

• Supervises and supports staff to ensure efficient claim resolution, offering guidance on coverage reviews, investigations, liability analysis, and settlements.
• Provides training for new claims staff and manages claim assignments.
• Oversees and determines coverage decisions, including coverage denials, withdrawals, and reservation of rights letters.
• Approves reserves and settlement authority requests and reassigns claims or exposures after thorough review.
• Manages pre-trial and post-trial updates and stays informed about developments in case law impacting Member claims.
• Collaborates with legal, claims staff, and other departments to ensure effective claim handling.
• Reviews high-exposure non-litigated claims and all litigated files, assess preliminary coverage, and select pre-litigation or defense counsel.
• Assist Members with coverage inquiries across all lines of business.
• Participates in case meetings when necessary, directing litigation towards cost-effective resolutions.
• Attends mediations as required and reviews and approves the hiring of experts for claims.
• Manages the claims desk, including answering phone calls, responding to written correspondence, and providing support to claims staff.
• Approve claims checks, independent adjuster invoices, engineering invoices, and legal invoices.
• Reviews and approves expense reports for business travel and pre-litigation experts.
• Participates in bi-weekly supervisor and manager meetings and quarterly claims trends meetings with multiple Pool departments.
• Conducts research and develops claims-related training presentations, engages in Member meetings to address claims topics, and provides ongoing feedback to claims specialists during one-on-one meetings, team meetings, and quarterly specialist meetings.
• Manages staffing, hiring, training, and assignment of duties for team members.
• Provides direction, mentoring, and guidance to support team development.
• Oversees performance evaluations, goal setting, and participates in disciplinary actions and interviews as needed.
• Develops and implements strategies to improve team management and effectiveness.

* The above responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required by the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

Job Requirements

Education, Work Experience, Certifications

• Required B.A. or B.S. degree in Business, Insurance, Risk Management, or a related field
• Years of Experience: 8
• Area of Experience: Liability and Property Claims, or a related field
• Property/Casualty License
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be accepted

Preferred

• None

Essential Competencies and Skills

• Required Experience managing or leading others with increasing levels of responsibility
• Experience in the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry
• Valid Texas driver’s license and a good driving record
• Possess knowledge and understanding of relevant laws, rules, and regulations
• Proficiency in MS Word
• Proficiency in MS Excel
• Proficiency in MS Outlook

• Preferred Experience with Guidewire products

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

Supplemental Information

Work Leadership Requirements

This position is a people manager. This position does have indirect reports.

Travel Requirements

Occasional overnight travel (by car or air)

Physical Requirements

Be able to withstand typical office work that includes periods of sitting, standing, typing, etc. indoors while potentially performing job tasks in close proximity to other people. In addition to typical office work, must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer screen, visual inspection, assembly of parts, or extensive reading. Ability to have a flexible work schedule to meet business needs, be on call 24x7, and be at work on-site during specified or core hours. Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle for extended periods, including prolonged sitting, use of hands and feet to operate vehicle controls, and maintaining visual awareness in varying traffic and weather conditions. Must be able to operate standard computer hardware.

Additional Information:

Equal Opportunity: The Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability, or sexual orientation. Reasonable Accommodation: The Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool makes reasonable accommodations for the disabled. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the People Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.