Claims Focus Group Leader - US Property - Beazley Management Limited

Job Title:                     Claims Focus Group Leader – US Property

Division:                      Group Claims

Reports To:                 As per Beazley’s organisation chart

Key Relationships:     Group Head of Claims (“GHOC”), Claims Team Head (“Head of”), Claims Team Leader (“CTL”), Claims Business Management Team (“CBMT”), Underwriting & Claims Operations (“UCO”), own staff, product team underwriters, Ceded Reinsurance, clients, brokers, and key external vendors.

Job Summary:             To support Beazley’s vision of being the highest performing specialist insurer by leading, managing, and developing a premier claims team that delivers the highest-level claims service attainable for the benefit of Beazley, its clients, and other stakeholders, and ensuring consistent, fair, and efficient claims settlements. To support the development of a collaborative approach to learn, share ideas and diverse perspectives, and develop ways of working to best meet the challenges of our clients. To contribute to the ongoing growth and development of claims capabilities across the team and the mentoring and development of team members.

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FLSA:                           Exempt

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the CTL and trading team stakeholders by providing input into claims strategy and business planning activities for the US Property Team.
• Contribute actively to the US Property Team’s general business and resource planning.
• Build strong partnerships with product team underwriters by sharing Claims trends and best practices and coordinate on strategies to maintain a consistent approach.
• Contribute to new business development and renewal opportunities by attending client meetings to explain the Beazley Claims Philosophy and approach to Claims Handling and discussing any claims issues.
• Execute strategy for elevating Beazley’s market profile and strengthening client and broker relationships through relevant, timely thought leadership, and general marketing activities.
• Work proactively to develop and manage strong relationships with key brokers and clients.
• Work closely with product team underwriters to ensure constructive interactions between the claims and underwriting functions.
• Proactively identify and raise any issues with Policy wordings.
• Execute Claims talent strategy, including management of Claims US Property team to meet resourcing needs.
• Ensure proper development of the US Property Team, by providing career growth opportunities, mentorship and actively managing performance concerns as needed.
• Work with the CTL to maximize the productivity, efficiency, and quality of focus group members through active monitoring of claims management information (“MI”).
• Proactively manage claims, including escalated and high exposure claims arising in the focus group, from notification to closure, investing the necessary level of involvement required for each claim depending on, inter alia, the nature, category, maturity, type, and quantum of the claim.
• Develop, iterate, document, and execute claims strategies taking into account uncertainties, key decisions, potential outcomes, and estimated associated costs.
• Understand and implement Beazley’s “Treating Customers Fairly” policy.
• Follow at all times Beazley’s Claims Reserving Philosophy and Claims Standards.
• Present at quarterly pre-peer review meetings where needed. Consult with the CTL, Claims Team Head, and relevant product team underwriters regarding any major developments or recommendations in advance of the quarterly meetings.
• Regularly review individual claims within the focus group in order to ensure consistency of financials across the focus group, and keep reserves and records up to date as required by Beazley’s claims controls and standards.
• Proactively oversee high profile or severity claims within the focus group. As appropriate, work with the responsible claim managers to provide guidance and support.
• Identify claims issues and trends within the focus group and engage with the CTL and other teams as appropriate.
• Ensure that claims within the focus group are appropriately assigned within the team and escalations are communicated timely to the CTL and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure consistent handling of coverage issues across the focus group. Proactively communicate with the CTL regarding any potentially contentious or litigated coverage disputes.
• Advise Reinsurance and Finance of any material claims as set out in the claims authority and claims protocols and procedures and support Reinsurance in effecting recoveries
• Work with the CTL and CBMT to support the development of a continuous improvement culture within Claims, leveraging standardised processes and shared service functions as appropriate.
• Work with the CTL and CBMT to ensure Beazley claims management roles and processes are executed as defined in the context of the broader operating model.
• Ensure prompt and timely completion of claims transactions and communication by monitoring the timelines of performance through the use of relevant Management Information.
• Work with the CTL on any claims outside the focus group’s claims authority, claims with broader reputational or business ramifications, and any large, systemic, or contentious claims within the focus group.
• Collaborate with other FGLs and the First Party and Property Treaty teams to ensure consistent claims handling of similar products.
• Work with the CTL in the continual development and implementation of Beazley’s claims controls and ensure that the team complies with all relevant regulations and Beazley’s claims control standards and protocols.
• Ensure that all claims related complaints are reported and resolved in a timely manner in accordance with the complaints procedure.
• Follow Beazley’s procedures for the selection and retention of third-party professionals and manage these relationships to the benefit of Beazley.
• Work with the CTL to execute strategy for oversight and management of external spend to ensure efficiency, consistency, and appropriateness of the same.
• Coordinate with CBMT to oversee key vendors, including file reviews or audits, and resolution of any issues identified during those activities.
• Proactively review data regarding all third-party professionals working on claims in the focus group to ensure with claims service requirements, claims best practices, and cost efficiency.
• Where applicable, proactively monitor any TPA arrangements, including providing regular feedback on the claim actions undertaken by any TPA, proposing strategies for future claims handling, reviewing case reserve adequacy, and ensuring the TPA remains focused on claim finalisation. Periodically review TPA performance data consistency with claims service requirements, claims best practices, and financial goals.

General

It is important that within all your interactions both internally and externally you adhere to Beazley’s core values - Being Bold, Striving for Better, and Doing the Right Thing – as they contribute to an internal environment of teamwork and promote a positive brand image and experience to our external customers. We also expect Beazley employees to: 

• Comply with Beazley procedures, policies and regulations including the code of conduct which incorporates the PRA and FCA Conduct.  Undertake training on Beazley policies and procedures as delivered by your line manager, the Culture & People or assurance teams (compliance, risk, internal audit) either directly, via e-learning or the learning management system. 
• Display business ethics that uphold the interests of all our customers.
• Ensure all interactions with customers are focused on delivering a fair outcome, including having the right products for their needs.
• Comply with any specific responsibilities necessary for your role as outlined by your line manager, the Culture & People or assurance teams (compliance, risk, internal audit) and ensure you keep up to date with developments in these areas. This may include, amongst others, Beazley’s underwriting control standards, Beazley’s claims control standards, other Beazley standards and customer relationship management.
• Carry out additional responsibilities as individually notified, either through your objectives or through the learning management system. These may include membership of any Beazley committees or working groups.

Personal Specification:

Education and Qualifications

• Graduate calibre; legal background preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Good leadership skills with the ability to influence and manage a team of professionals
• Process management skills - able to review existing processes and procedures; making recommendations for rationalisation/improvement
• General commercial and financial knowledge
• Strong communication skills – able to communicate with and influence stakeholders at all levels, both verbally and in writing.
• Good motivational skills – able to build and manage strong teams
• Strong focus on time management, able to manage several diverse and concurrent projects
• A demonstrable track record of strategic thinking
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyse financial statements, make financial assessments of claims, etc.
• Hands-on implementer, able to drive through change where appropriate

Knowledge and Experience

• Claims Management/technical insurance knowledge
• Property Claims experience a prerequisite
• Legal experience and ability to analyse legal issues in different jurisdictions
• Experienced in US and international business
• Demonstrable process/project management skills
• Experience of claims management guidelines, claims processes and systems
• Client service experience gained within an insurance environment
• Experience of managing team of technically strong professionals working on diverse projects
• Experience of managing teams with a demanding and pressurised workload
• Experience of implementing process improvement, ideally within a traditional environment

Aptitude and Disposition

• Achievement orientated
• Self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic
• High energy and personal drive

Competencies

• Problem solving
• Decisiveness
• Customer focused
• Influencing others
• Teamwork
• Self-starter
• Analytical thinking
• Managing resources effectively
• Technical competency and expertise
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Task focused completer/finisher

The rewards: 

• The opportunity to connect and build long-lasting professional relationships while advancing your career with a growing, dynamic organization
• Attractive base compensation and discretionary performance related annual bonus
• Competitively priced medical, dental and vision insurance
• Company paid life, and short- and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with 5% company match and immediate vesting
• 22 days annual PTO (full-time, prorated for 1st calendar year of employment), plus paid public holidays with the ability to flex the religious bank holidays to suit your religious beliefs. Additional PTO purchase is available up to a maximum of 5 days per calendar year.
• Up to $700 reimbursement towards home office setup
• Free in-office lunch, travel reimbursement for travel to office, and monthly lifestyle allowance in support of your wellbeing
• The opportunity to save for, and purchase, shares of Beazley stock
• Six months fully paid parental leave, regardless of how you come to parenthood
• Company paid sabbatical up to 12 weeks after 10 years of continued service
• Support with exam/study leave and fees for relevant qualifications related to furthering education
• Up to 2.5 days matched paid leave for volunteering at a charity of your choice and 5 days paid leave to provide or arrange care for a dependent with a long term care need annually
• Smart working policy and flexible working culture, trusting our employees to do what works best for them, their role and the needs of the business

Salary for this role will be tailored to the successful individual’s location and experience. The expected compensation range for this position is 150 - 165k per year plus discretionary annual bonus. You will be able to discuss your salary expectations should you be contacted about this role.

This document is subject to review after consultation with your Manager.