Assistant Director DI Technical Claims - Hybrid/Remote

Northwestern Mutual; Franklin (MA); Remote; USD 84,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a technical leader for its Disability Income Claims Division. This pivotal role involves guiding the administration of claims with a focus on accuracy and fairness. You will collaborate with leadership to shape a strategic vision, enhance processes, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Your expertise will be crucial in managing complex claims and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. If you are a seasoned professional with a passion for mentoring and driving change in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience in insurance and claims processes.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for Disability Income Claims Division.
• Collaborate with claims leadership to improve claim handling processes.

Skills

Insurance Products Knowledge

Claims Processes and Procedures

Leadership and Mentoring

Negotiation Skills

Conflict Management

Communication Skills

Project Leadership

Education

College Degree in Business or Related Field

Job description

At Northwestern Mutual, we are strong, innovative and growing. We invest in our people. We care and make a positive difference.

Summary:

Provide technical leadership and direction to the Disability Income Claims Division to ensure accurate and fair administration of claims.

Primary Duties & Accountabilities:

1. Collaborate with claims leadership to establish a strategic vision for future Disability Income (DI) claims administration, including identifying and facilitating claim handling process improvements and technological enhancements.
2. Direct and lead projects to evolve the technical guidelines and procedures that serve as the framework for DI claims administration.
3. Establish technical proficiency standards for claims administration and to support effective training, coaching, and mentoring of claims analysts and technical leaders. Provide feedback and develop the skills and expertise of team members.
4. Proactively work to influence and motivate others while creating a climate that fosters customer focus and continuous learning and improvement.
5. Develop and maintain claim handling standards and best practices, ensuring compliance with company philosophy, contract language and provisions, and state laws.
6. Provide expertise in handling complex, sensitive, contestable, or large benefit amount cases. Oversee claim denial and recovery processes, and manage complaints, appeals, and highly contentious claims, including disability and life waiver of premium claims.
7. Resolve claim conflicts through formal and informal dispute resolution practices. Collaborate with the Law Department on lawsuits, depositions, and trial representations. Establish negotiation parameters and exercise judgement in settlements. Serve as liaison between claim staff and the Law Department on a wide variety of legal issues.
8. Serve as a product line subject matter expert for new contract introductions and projects impacting claim handling.
9. Represent the disability claim operation within the industry and act as a liaison within the home office.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

1. College degree in business or related field
2. Eight to ten years of experience with insurance products and claim processes and procedures
3. Demonstrated capability as a technical expert and leader, with a proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop others, and work effectively across teams
4. In-depth knowledge of insurance products, underwriting processes, medical and financial information, claim philosophy, and claim handling practices
5. Knowledge of and experience in managing claim legal issues and the litigation process
6. Excellent judgment and decision-making skills
7. Experience in negotiation and conflict management
8. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including those for liaising with policyowners, legal counsel, financial experts, field members, and home office personnel
9. Experience in project leadership or similar efforts

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start: $84,350.00

Pay Range - End: $156,650.00

Northwestern Mutual pays on a geographic-specific salary structure and placement in the salary range for this position will be determined by a number of factors including the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; the scope, complexity as well as the cost of labor in the market; and other conditions of employment.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.