Claims Counsel - Liability

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver employer contribution 4.5%

Life insurance as standard

Work from home & myFlex options

20 days annual leave + 5 MyLeave

LinkedIn Learning access

IAG Academy study assistance

Secondment opportunities

Up to 50% off personal insurance

14 weeks paid parental leave

Job summary

IAG is hiring a permanent Claims Counsel – Liability in New Zealand, with locations in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. The role combines technical legal expertise with strategic thinking to deliver fair outcomes for customers, brokers and partners.

A strong track record in insurance litigation and policy interpretation is essential. You will manage complex claims, guide colleagues, and work with external counsel to drive efficient resolutions while maintaining robust governance and sound

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws and current practising certificate or ability to meet requirements.
• Strong experience in insurance litigation, liability claims or related areas.
• Proven ability to translate complex legal issues into commercial outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex liability and financial lines claims, assess policy coverage and exposure.
• Provide expert legal advice on claims, litigation and policy interpretation matters.
• Coordinate with external counsel and service providers to drive outcomes.
• Set reserves, advise on settlements and ensure governance standards.
• Support customers at mediations and settlement conferences; lead recovery efforts.
• Mentor junior claims specialists with legal analysis and strategy guidance.

Skills

Insurance litigation

Liability claims

Policy interpretation

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Legal analysis

Mentorship/Coaching

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Job description

At IAG, we're ready for you. We're the largest general insurance group in Australia and New Zealand. Our family of brands turns the IAG purpose of making your world a safer place into action by helping everyday Aussies and New Zealanders, supporting their ambitions and making insurance accessible.

Bring your legal expertise into a role where you can make a genuine impact while enjoying the balance to thrive both professionally and personally. As Claims Counsel – Liability, you'll manage complex liability claims, provide trusted legal guidance and help deliver fair and timely outcomes for customers, brokers and partners. You'll join a collaborative team that values learning, knowledge sharing and strong relationships. If you enjoy combining technical legal expertise with strategic thinking and practical problem solving, this is an opportunity to work on interesting and varied matters while helping shape outcomes across New Zealand's insurance landscape. This is a permanent full-time role based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) or Ōtautahi (Christchurch).

• Manage complex liability and financial lines claims, assessing policy coverage, liability exposure, quantum and resolution strategies
• Provide expert legal advice to colleagues on claims, litigation and policy interpretation matters
• Partner with external legal counsel and service providers to drive effective claim outcomes and manage litigation matters.
• Set appropriate reserves, draft declinatures and make settlement decisions while ensuring sound reserving and governance practices are observed
• Support customers at mediations, judicial settlement conferences and instigate recovery activities to achieve efficient and commercially appropriate outcomes
• Mentor claims specialists through coaching, legal analysis, policy interpretation and settlement strategy guidance.
• Strong experience in insurance litigation, liability claims, professional indemnity or employment law environments
• A Bachelor of Laws and current practising certificate, or the ability to meet practising requirements
• Confidence analysing complex legal issues and translating them into practical commercial solutions.
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships across brokers, law firms, customers and business partners
• Strong negotiation, communication and dispute resolution skills in complex or sensitive situations.
• A collaborative mindset with a willingness to coach others and share expertise across the team
• Curiosity to keep up with legal developments and continuously improve claims practices and customer outcomes
• Boosted KiwiSaver with 4.5% employer contribution and life insurance as standard.
• 20 days annual leave + 5 days MyLeave (extra leave for what's important to you).
• Work from home and many more flexibility options with myFlex.
• Up to 50% off personal insurance, including home and motor insurance.
• 14 Weeks paid parental leave.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning, the award-winning IAG Academy, study assistance and secondment opportunities.
• *employment type eligibility criteria apply

If you require any support or adjustments to participate equitably in our recruitment process, we encourage you to reach out to *******@iag.co.nz for a confidential conversation.

As part of IAG you'll enjoy a world of career opportunities, a purpose-led place focused on creating connection and belonging, and where you can create meaningful impact every day and grow your career beyond the expected. That's not just words. It's our people promise. We're ready for you with unexpected opportunities for your career, your work-life and your ability to make a difference. We acknowledge Tāngata Whenua in Aotearoa and are committed to growing Māori prosperity and wellbeing in Aotearoa through He Rautaki Māori (IAG's Māori Strategy). We celebrate unique viewpoints shaped by life experiences, cultures and passions. And expand careers, genuinely connect with community, lead with a powerful purpose and celebrate what makes you individual.