Vice President, Claims

 

 

Berkley Specialty Excess (BSE) was founded in 2023 as a member company of W.R. Berkley Corporation. Berkley Specialty Excess is an excess and surplus lines commercial insurance carrier. We specialize in underwriting high-risk commercial business for insurance risk buyers interested in creative solutions to new and unusual complex risks. Our lines of business include Environmental, Energy, and Excess Commercial Casualty.

 

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The company is an equal opportunity employer.

The Chief Claims Officer is responsible for the overall start up, management and direction of the claims department. Equally as important, participation on the Executive Team that establishes the strategic direction for the company and ensures the overall profitability and success of the company in the excess casualty market.

 

Overall Management of Claims Operation

• Startup and develop claims operations, strategy and direction
• Manage a growing team of claims professionals by establishing clear performance metrics
• Implement strong policies and procedures designed to produce the desired results
• Ensure the continual development of claims professionals on the team by coordinating both internal and external training and development opportunities
• Establish clear reserving standards and ensure that those standards are continually met
• Identify issues and trends in the portfolio; take appropriate and/or corrective action where necessary; communicate trends to underwriters, insureds and brokers
• Identify claims with significant exposure and take a more active role coordinating a strategy for an appropriate resolution
• Oversee audits of the claims team to evaluate claims management processes and procedures and reserve strength
• Attend industry conventions and events and become a sought out thought leader on developing issues
• Attend marketing, account renewal, and reinsurance meetings as appropriate in order to communicate our claims handling philosophy and leading position in this area

 

Relationship Building / Teamwork

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with insureds, panel counsel, and brokers in order to effect positive influence management over claims handling
• Establish strong and collaborative relationships with external brokers in order the enhance the market reputation of BSE and maximize the competitive advantage derived from claims handling
• Communicate effectively with parent company on significant and complex claims
• Collaborate/manage effectively with Operations team to ensure efficient and effective procedures in the claims area
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with underwriting team in order to provide insight and guidance on the claims handling practices of individual current and prospective insureds
• Communicate effectively with the actuarial team around trends in the portfolio and long-term prospects for individual claims / insureds
• Work effectively with the underwriting team and other executives on current and proposed policy language

 

Member of Executive Team

• Proactive participation on Executive Team which establishes and executes the strategic direction of the company
• Work closely with the President to discuss, evaluate, and implement strategic directions for the claims operation that supports the overall direction of the company
• Establish solid relationships with other members of the Executive Team in order to improve team performance
• Be able to clearly communicate strategic direction to both internal resources and outside partners and insureds

• Minimum of 15 - 20 years of experience in commercial casualty claims, with experience in the environmental, professional, casualty market and excess coverages.
• Significant experience in progressive positions demonstrating technical, operations, and management skills in the claims area.
• Experience in collaborating with an executive team.
• Proven ability to improve organizational effectiveness as well as retain, hire, train and develop Claims professionals.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate and manage well at all levels of the organization essential.
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation.
• Technical proficiency is required.

 

Education Requirement

• Bachelor’s Degree Required
• Advanced Degree strongly preferred.

We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies or firms. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees. The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. Sponsorship not Offered for this Role