Senior Claims Handler (Liability & Construction / Complex Claims)

Markel; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great starting salary + 17% Annual Bon

25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Cover

Generous Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Travel Insurance

Season Ticket Loan

Comprehensive Learning & Development

Fully Funded Professional Quals

Job summary

Markel in Leeds is seeking a Senior Claims Handler to manage a portfolio of complex liability and construction claims from notification to resolution. You will act as a trusted partner to insureds, brokers and legal representatives, guiding strategy and overseeing litigation while retaining ownership of claims throughout their lifecycle.

The role offers a hybrid working pattern (4 days in the office, 1 day at home), a competitive starting salary with a 17% annual bonus, and extensive development

Qualifications

• Experience handling complex commercial claims across liability/construction
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• ACII qualifications (or studying towards them) with company support

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of complex commercial claims from notifi cation through settlement
• Review policy coverage and provide technical guidance
• Develop and drive claims strategy and oversee external solicitors/counsel
• Build strong relationships with brokers, clients and internal stakeholders
• Maintain high standards of customer service and technical excellence

Skills

Complex commercial claims experience

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

ACII qualifications

Education

ACII qualifications

Job description

Senior Claims Handler (Liability & Construction)

Leeds | Great starting salary + 17% Annual Bonus + Excellent Benefits

Hybrid Working: 4 Days Office / 1 Day Home

Join one of the UK's most respected specialist claims teams !

At Markel, claims handling is about far more than processing files.

It's about helping businesses and professionals navigate some of the most complex and challenging situations they will ever face. From professional negligence disputes and cyber incidents to construction liabilities, regulatory investigations and complex litigation, our Claims team works at the heart of our business, protecting clients when they need us most.

As our business continues to grow, we're looking for a talented Senior Claims Handler to join our specialist Liability & Construction Complex Claims Team in Leeds.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of genuinely complex, high-profile claims, work alongside leading legal experts and become part of an award-winning claims function that is recognised for its technical excellence and exceptional customer service.

The Role:

Working within Adam Smith's Complex Claims Team, you'll manage a diverse portfolio of specialist commercial claims from first notification through to resolution.

You'll act as a trusted claims partner to insureds, brokers and legal representatives, driving strategy, providing technical guidance and overseeing claims throughout the litigation process.

Unlike many insurer claims roles, you'll retain ownership of your claims, regardless of value, supported by clear authority frameworks and a highly collaborative leadership team.

What You'll Be Handling:

This is a highly varied role offering exposure across multiple specialist products and sectors, including:

• Professional Indemnity
• Liability & Construction
• Cyber
• Management Liability
• Medical Malpractice
• Product Liability
• Directors' & Officers' Liability
• Fidelity & Commercial Crime
• Employment-related claims
• Complex litigation and regulatory investigations

Our clients range from technology businesses and life sciences organisations through to architects, engineers, surveyors, contractors, trades businesses and other specialist professional firms.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Managing a portfolio of complex commercial claims from notification through to settlement.
• Reviewing policy coverage and providing technical guidance.
• Developing and driving claims strategy.
• Instructing and managing external solicitors, counsel and technical experts.
• Building strong relationships with brokers, clients and internal stakeholders.
• Managing litigated claims and overseeing legal spend.
• Negotiating settlements within authority levels.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the wider claims function.
• Maintaining the highest standards of customer service and technical excellence.

What We're Looking For:

We're open to speaking with talented professionals from either an insurance or legal background.

Insurance Professionals

You'll ideally have experience handling complex commercial claims within areas such as:

• Professional Indemnity
• Liability
• Financial Lines
• Cyber
• Construction
• Management Liability

Legal Professionals

You may be a:

• Solicitor
• Legal Executive
• Paralegal
• Fee Earner

with experience in:

• Professional Negligence
• Insurance Litigation
• Construction
• Liability
• Commercial Disputes

and be looking to move away from private practice into a strategic, client-facing insurance role.

You'll Succeed Here If You Have:

• Strong commercial insurance or legal claims experience.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive and analytical approach to problem solving.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A genuine interest in complex claims and specialist insurance products.
• ACII qualifications (or an ambition to study towards them, fully supported by Markel).

Why Join Markel?

• Handle Truly Complex Work
• You'll work on interesting, technical and often high-profile claims where no two days are the same.
• Real Ownership
• You'll retain responsibility for your claims throughout their lifecycle, developing strategies and influencing outcomes.
• Invest in Your Development
• We fully support professional qualifications, including ACII, alongside extensive internal and external training opportunities.
• Join an Award-Winning Team
• Our Claims function is recognised across the industry for delivering outstanding service and technical excellence.
• Enjoy a Collaborative Culture
• We're proud of our supportive, people-first environment where knowledge sharing, teamwork and professional growth are genuinely encouraged.

What We Offer:

• Great starting salary + 17% Annual Bonus
• 25 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Option to Buy and Sell Annual Leave
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Cover
• Generous Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Travel Insurance
• Season Ticket Loan
• Comprehensive Learning & Development Support
• Fully Funded Professional Qualifications

Working Pattern:

• Leeds office-based
• 4 days per week in the office
• 1 day working from home
• Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

We're looking for individuals who value collaboration, learning and team culture, and who are comfortable working primarily from the office alongside their colleagues.

Ready to Apply?

If you're looking for a role where you'll handle challenging and rewarding claims, develop your technical expertise and build a long-term career within a market-leading insurer, we'd love to hear from you.

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at [e-mail] or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.