Claims Manager

Reports to:Deputy Director

Status:Exempt

DESCRIPTION

This position manages the Claims Department and is responsible for administering the various claims incurred by WSTIP members. Claims can include (but are not limited to) general liability, auto liability, public officials liability, property, crime, cyber, and boiler and machinery. The Claims Manager manages internal and vendor-serviced claims and lawsuits and directs the litigation of complex cases. The Claims Manager supervises the Claims Department staff.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

  1. Oversee claims department operations including claim investigation, negotiation of settlements, and coordination of defense efforts. Verify damages, write claims denials, negotiate settlements, and approveclaims payments. Assign and direct claims adjusters. Assign case values and monitor loss reserves for adequacy. Ensure excellent and accurate documentation of claims and claims coding within WSTIP’s risk management information system. Process payments for expenses associated with claims activities. Manage the subrogation and restitution of claims.
  1. Assign defense counsel to claims and lawsuits. Hire experts. Create litigation defense plans, collaborate strategies with attorneys. Attend depositions, mediations, trials, and settlement conferences. Process payments for legal fees associated with claims activities.
  1. Provide coverage analysis and determination recommendations for the Deputy Director and/orExecutive Director. Assist the Deputy Director with the evaluation of legal firms to WSTIP defense roster.
  1. Report claims activity to excess and reinsurance carriers, and the broker, in accordance with reinsurance policies and treaties.
  1. Act as a liaison in service complaints and member cooperation issues. Report unresolved issues to the Deputy Director and/or Executive Director. Insure quality and volume of department work product.
  1. Develop, implement, and communicate policies and procedures necessary for claims handling and litigation management for efficient and cost-effective claims processing and also in accordance with WSTIP’s claims handling philosophy and strategic plan.
  1. Supervise and develop assigned staff through setting periodic goals and objectives, training, disciplinary actions, and performance reviews. Mentor employees, provide technical advice, and in-house training as necessary.
  1. Provide written and oral reports to management, Board, and committees.
  1. Participate in Serious Loss review and work cooperatively with the Member Services department.
  1. Participate in agency-wide maintenance activities such as record retention, purging and storage.

Standards of Performance

  1. Actively support and incorporate WSTIP’svision, mission,core values, and strategic priorities into daily activities.
  1. Work cooperatively with other department managers, Deputy Director and Executive Director.
  1. Report to work as scheduled.
  1. Maintain confidentiality of all information related to members, staff, employees, and other information as appropriate.
  1. Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations in dealing with fellow employees, WSTIP members, WSTA employees, and vendors so that productivity and positive relations are maximized.
  1. Identify and work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders on projects and communicate information and decisions through written communication and presentations.
  1. Strive to stay up to date through ongoing training, networking and regular reviews of current relevant trade journals

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Accepted principles and practices of claims and risk management and public entity financing. Applicable laws, rules and regulations, understanding and interpreting coverage agreements, and civil law. Municipal liability, negotiating, subrogation techniques, basic math concepts, claims adjusting techniques and procedures, organizing and writing reports, and making presentations. Use of a personal computer and various other types of office equipment.

Ability to:

  • Travel out of the area on occasion including overnight stays.
  • Work independently with limited supervision.
  • Plan and organize work in an efficient, cost effective and results-focused manner.
  • Work well under pressure and in high stress situations.
  • Quickly switch from one task to another.
  • Write clear, concise and accurate reports and correspondence.
  • Establish and maintain moderately complex records and reports.
  • Speak in public and provide supporting visual information.
  • Interact favorably with the general public, and work cooperatively in a team environment.
  • Provide excellent customer service to the membership.
  • Learn to and use a variety of proprietary software (in particular WSTIP’s risk management information system).

Experience and Education:

  • Required: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, insurance, finance, political science, or related field.
  • Required: Three years of experience in claims and litigation management.
  • Desired: Juris doctor (JD) degree.
  • Desired: Three years supervisory experience.
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate daily activities to meet schedules and complete assigned tasks.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
  • Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license.

Experience may be substituted for educational requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is generally performed in a fast-paced office environment with frequent interruptions. Frequent travel required throughout the state to various transit systems and for training. Ability to maintain flexible working hours at times, especially when traveling. Incumbent must be able to effectively utilize personal computers and related software.

Strength: Lifting and carrying general office supplies and files; typically weighing less than 25 pounds.

Manual Dexterity: Ability to consistently perform moderately difficult manipulative skills such as typing and word processing.

Mobility: Ability to climb ladders, stairs, ramps, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach and move around in crawl spaces and areas with low ceilings while making on-site physical risk control inspections. Ability to walk at least ½ mile on variety of surfaces. Ability to sit for extended periods of time.

Visual Discrimination: Ability to consistently identify objects and persons at a distance; read fine print on records and forms.

Hearing: Ability to consistently distinguish normal sounds with some background noise; multiple sounds in a stimulated environment; and verbal language and tones on the telephone.

Speech: Ability to speak clearly and make one-self understood in a one-on-one basis with individuals and in group settings.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

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Claims Manager

January 2017