Head of Claims Litigation

We are specialists in offering expertise in underwriting, broking and capacity management for US Excess and Surplus (E&S) lines insurance solutions. The unique combination of broking and underwriting divisions provides the ability to quote and bind risks through inhouse binding authorities, while providing customers with access to Lloyd’s, London Market companies, and Munich Re owned capacity in Germany and the US.

Why join us?

Overview

The Head of Claims Litigation is an important role in B&C’s growing Claims Department. The Head of Claims Litigation is responsible for directly managing and overseeing insurance coverage and litigation matters and to serve as a strategic partner to B&C’s claim professionals and US Practice Leads. The position will provide coverage and litigation direction and support across a variety of lines of business (including Liability, Property and Transportation), consultation and support with wording reviews and drafting, and ensure alignment with US Practice Leads.

Responsibilities

Accountable for managing all insurance coverage and litigated claim matters to protect and drive good outcomes for the business and its customers.

Provide legal advice to claim professionals on a variety of insurance coverage issues under casualty and first party property lines of coverage.

Assist claim professionals with coverage position letters and provide oversight of outside coverage and defence counsel.

Participate in strategic discussions on coverage issues with claims team and internal stakeholders, including Claims Leadership Team, Practice Leads, Corporate Underwriting and Underwriting.

Monitor US case law trends and ensure internal stakeholders are advised accordingly of developments and potential impacts.

Collaborate with other departments, including Corporate Underwriting and Underwriting, to review policy language.

Provide training to claim professionals on coverage and litigation matters.

Consistently looks for ways to improve efficiencies and outcomes in relation to coverage and litigation matters.

Enhance the cross collaboration with the US Practice leads to develop a robust and efficient Claims litigation control, monitoring and reporting framework.

Develop and maintain a control framework to monitor all external legal partnerships performance.

Proactively monitoring claims and providing support (and where needed challenge) to the strategy for claims litigation and coverage determinations.

Considering complex legal coverage issues to support determining of reserving requirements.

Reporting and liaising with Underwriting, Finance, Risk, and Internal Audit on claims issues.

Preparing (and presenting) detailed reports to senior management, the Board, and sub-committees.

Identifying opportunities, and the drafting of amendments to insurance contracts and related agreements.

General Duties and Responsibilities

To embrace and actively implement the core principles of Continuous Conversations; (Commitments, Feedback and Development) as part of daily activities and with other colleagues.

Take ownership of and make personal and professional development a priority as part of Continuous Conversations.

In line with Continuous Conversations, establish and achieve development aspirations and needs through the setting of commitments and giving and receiving frequent, constructive feedback (referring to resources provided for support);

To abide by the policies and procedures of B&C.

Professional experience in insurance coverage, experience preffered at a law firm or with an insurer.

Very strong understanding of insurance coverage issues and law nationally.

Experience in litigating coverage matters and in preparing coverage opinions and position letters.

Experience in addressing coverage matters under various lines of business, especially commercial general liability and first party property.

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to manage multiple matters with little oversight.

Diplomatic, approachable, and collaborative

Willingness to travel

Benefits

This position is offered on a Permanent basis. Annual salary will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. Annual leave - 25 days per year (plus bank holidays), increases with length of service. Health & Wellbeing – our offering includes private medical insurance for employees, their partners and their families, a Digital GP service, and an annual allowance (currently £550) any activities which supports health and wellbeing. Hybrid and remote working – to support your work balance we have introduced hybrid working. You will be provided with support to work from home up to a maximum of three days per week. Flexible working hours – the opportunity to flex your working hours. Generous gender-neutral family leave policy - employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service at the Expected Week of Childbirth are eligible to receive 26 weeks full pay. Professional Qualification Support – (discretionary) financial support covering the cost of professional qualifications, including institute membership, exams, study materials and completion bonuses. Warm and social culture with regular get togethers.

Equal Opportunities

Bell and Clements are an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or parental status.

At Munich Re, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion foster innovation and resilience and enable us to act braver and better. Embracing the power of DEI is at the core of who we are. We recognise diversity can be multi-dimensional, intersectional, and complex, so we want to build a diverse workforce that includes a wide range of racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities; economic and geographic backgrounds; physical abilities; ages; life, school, and career experiences; and political, religious, and personal beliefs. Additionally, we are committed to building an equitable and inclusive work environment where this diversity is celebrated, valued, and has equitable opportunities to succeed. 

If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with everything outlined, or you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the candidate we are looking for! 

All candidates in consideration for any role can request a reasonable adjustment at any point in our recruitment process. You can request an adjustment by speaking to your Talent Acquisition contact.