Head of Vendor & Litigation Management Services, Claims Shared Services - Axis Capital Holdings

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance.  We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture.  As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

AXIS is seeking a Head of Vendor & Litigation Management Services to join our Shared Services Global Claims team. As a direct report to the Head of AXIS Claims Shared Services, the successful candidate should possess the ability to lead and develop the AXIS Claims Vendor Management Strategic vision and lead and develop the Litigation Management Services team to support the claims teams and collaborate cross functionally with AXIS stakeholders to ensure the smooth and efficient use of these services globally. The successful candidate should have expertise and experience working in P&C commercial Claims or reinsurance organizations.

This role is responsible for leading, managing and delivering a modern operating environment to efficiently use vendor resources including lawyers, TPAs, and other claims management related vendor resources used by the AXIS claims teams. AXIS is focused on How We Work as a strategic priority and this role requires oversight of and optimization of all workflows and processes associated with these vendor groups as they impact AXIS claims and related stakeholders to ensure delivery of excellent claims service.

This role will promote a continuous improvement culture, redefine, and optimize processes, define the framework, and identify areas for opportunity across the entire portfolio of AXIS Claims (North America, International and Reinsurance Claims). The successful candidate is a results-driven team player, a proven leader with a can-do mindset focused on continuous improvement, process optimization, transformation, and change management in support claims Vendor and Litigation Management objectives and strategies in partnership with AXIS Claims Leadership and related internal stakeholders. 

This role will be responsible for leading and developing a team that will be responsible for:

• Strategic leadership, direction, management and operational execution of the Vendor panel and non-panel resources used by the AXIS Claims Organization including Lawyers, TPA’s and other related Vendor resources in collaboration with AXIS stakeholders including IT, Data Analytics, Legal, Procurement, Underwriting Operations, Claims Operations, Underwriting, and Finance.
   
• Leading and coordinating relationships with Lawyers and other Claim Vendor’s (including TPA’s and IA’s) through all necessary stages (onboarding, offboarding and run-off), due diligence, contract review, negotiation, and tracking in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
   
• Leading and directing all activities related to Legal Exchange and Legal Bill Review, partnering with Vendor’s in support of ensuring compliance with billing guidelines, as well as compliance with legal and ethical standards that apply to attorneys when billing for legal services.

• Developing and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to vendor performance, compliance, and cost optimization via monthly, quarterly, and annual dashboard reporting for Litigation and Claim Vendor Management metrics to measure, track and drive continuous improvement, in collaboration with key AXIS stakeholders

• Collaborating and coordinating with Claims Quality Assurance and Compliance to implement appropriate quality and compliance reviews of vendor resources with a particular focus on Lawyers and Vendors to ensure quality and appropriate claims service results.

• Drive innovation, technology change and improvement of operational efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of the litigation and vendor management processes and resolution initiatives ensuring compliance with data completeness and quality across claims function.

• Staying abreast of industry trends and best practices in vendor management and continuously seek opportunities to enhance all claim Vendors effectiveness and service offerings.

• Overseeing and ensuring consistency of a variety of contracts, service-level agreements (SLAs), litigation guidelines, and other legal agreements or best practices in partnership with Legal, Procurement, and Finance for all vendors and lawyers doing business with AXIS Claims.

• Overseeing and optimizing the operational and related work-flow processes for AXIS Claims and operating as the gatekeeper and single point of contact for AXIS internal and external stakeholders to address and manage Litigation Management, and claims vendor issues.

• Collaborating with AXIS Claims Leadership and related internal stakeholders on training initiatives, job aids, guidelines to continuously improve claims handling quality and execution in support of team and individual professional growth and development

• Building and maintaining key relationships with internal stakeholders (e.g., Peers, Underwriting, Actuarial, Vendor Management, Data, Finance, and various executive management leaders) and external stakeholders (e.g., auditors, reinsurers, and vendors)

KEY SKILLS & ABILITIES

You are an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of leading and getting work done in a fast-paced environment with an aptitude for analyzing data and making practical and forward-looking decisions to drive foundational change as well as:

• Demonstrated leadership and management skills leading cross functional work via collaboration, negotiation, influence, and teamwork.

• Strong organizational, critical thinking, problem solving, analytical, and quantitative skills including the ability to analyze and interpret financial and claims data.

• Broad experience working in a P&C Insurer or reinsurer other financial institution with a complex operating environment including both domestically and internationally.

• Experience managing claims related litigation spend, TPAs and other vendors for P&C insurers.

• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability and experience reporting and presenting to senior management.

• Experience preparing business cases and doing cost benefit analyses supporting strategic initiatives impacting key stakeholders.

• Proven prioritization skills with the ability to balance both the immediate needs with broader organizational strategies.

• Strong conflict resolution skills to effectively deal with people with differing expectations and viewpoints.

• Strong knowledge of and skills in use of various software and insurance platforms and systems including Bill Review systems such as Legal Exchange and claims systems as well as Word and Excel.

• College and advanced degree (JD preferred).

• Travel is associated with this role. 

Preferred Locations

• NYC, NY
• Short Hills, NJ 
• Red Bank, NJ
• Alpharetta, GA
• Chicago, IL