Senior Claims Specialist

B&K Consulting Pty Limited; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

B&K Consulting Pty Limited in Sydney is seeking a senior claims specialist to assess life insurance claims, manage allocated client portfolios and disputes, and contribute to regional initiatives within a genuinely international reinsurance environment.

The role combines evidence-based claims judgement, portfolio strategy and strong client relationships, with opportunities for training, audits and broader initiatives across markets. Experience in disputes and litigation is valued.

Qualifications

• Life insurance claims assessment experience.
• Disputes experience - EDR (preferred) and/or IDR.
• Litigation experience and/or a law degree (preferred but not essential).

Responsibilities

• Assess life claims through analysis of evidence and apply policy interpretation and coverage judgement.
• Manage allocated claims portfolios and client and treaty strategies with guidance and coaching.
• Engage regularly with clients and contribute to regional initiatives in a genuinely international reinsurance environment.
• Develop dispute and litigation strategy and support cross-market activities where appropriate.

Skills

Life insurance claims assessment

Disputes experience (EDR/IDR)

Litigation experience

Education

Law degree (preferred)

Job description

You can remain a specialist without becoming narrow.

You will use both your claims assessment judgement and disputes expertise, with meaningful ownership of allocated client work and opportunities to contribute in different ways. That may include client work, training, audits, technical content, broader claims initiatives, and regional projects.

This is a small, senior team rather than a large claims operation. The successful person will be the dedicated specialist locally and will work directly with experienced leaders and international claims colleagues.

You can work internationally without necessarily leaving Australia. The Australian operation is connected into a wider segment covering multiple markets. There can be opportunities to work with colleagues overseas, contribute to cross-market initiatives and, where appropriate, travel. The team undertakes regular activity in New Zealand and has previously sent people to other markets to gain broader experience.

You can shape the role. The core responsibility is clear, but the position is not overly rigid. Claims assessment, allocated client portfolio ownership and disputes management form the core remit. There is also room to develop a broader contribution through training, thought leadership, audits and regional initiatives depending on your strengths.

There is career runway. Longer-term opportunities could include broader claims leadership, the hiring manager's role at the appropriate point, segment-level roles, global claims opportunities and potentially international mobility. There is no predetermined career path, but the broader organisation creates options that may not exist in a smaller or purely domestic claims function.

What you’ll do

At its core, the position has two equally important components: assessing and strategically managing reinsured life claims for allocated clients, and protecting the organisations interests and reputation through complex disputes. It combines evidence-based claims judgement, portfolio strategy and strong client relationships. Training, audits, technical thought leadership and regional initiatives add further breadth within a genuinely international reinsurance environment.

Claims assessment and allocated client portfolio management:

• Assess life claims through analysis of financial, medical and occupational or functional evidence, applying sound policy interpretation and coverage judgement across morbidity and mortality claims.
• Manage the performance of allocated reinsured claims portfolios and client and treaty strategies through strategic claims management plans, guidance and coaching.
• Maintain regular, targeted engagement with allocated clients at appropriate management levels. Understand their needs, strengthen relationships and identify opportunities to add value.

Disputes:

This is an equally important specialist responsibility alongside ongoing claims assessment and client portfolio ownership. It includes:

• management of AFCA matter;
• management of litigated life insurance matters;
• development of dispute and litigation strategy;

What you’ll need

• Life insurance claims assessment experience
• Disputes experience - EDR (preferred) and/ or IDR
• Litigation experience and/ or a law degree (preferrable but not essential)

About the company

We are representing a global reinsurer with a strong presence in the Australian life insurance market. The claims team is small and highly experienced, providing a stable environment where you can develop your expertise and take on more responsibility over time.