AVP, Surety Claims

W. R. Berkley; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Health, dental, vision

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with profit-sharing

Job summary

Berkley Surety, part of W. R. Berkley Corporation, seeks an experienced claims leader to manage complex surety and construction claims in a senior capacity. You will oversee investigations, reserves, and strategy, mentoring junior staff while coordinating with underwriting and senior management.

The role emphasizes expert negotiation, ADR familiarity, and strong communication across jurisdictions. A JD, MBA or CPCU is preferred, with extensive industry experience in the US market.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in surety, legal, or construction claims.
• JD, MBA or CPCU preferred; Bar admission desirable.
• Proven leadership in complex, multi-jurisdiction claims.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and understands surety bond coverage and assesses the claim position.
• Investigates claims, assessing claimant and principal positions.
• Sets and maintains timely reserves in consultation with management.
• Develops strategies for resolution to mitigate losses.
• Maximizes salvage and subrogation opportunities.
• Provides timely, accurate reports on claims status to management.
• Supervises junior staff and mentors team members.
• Assists Head of Claims with department administration and reporting.
• Supports underwriting with risk assessments when requested.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Complex contract claims

Strategic thinking

Independent ownership

Mentoring/coaching

Negotiation

Communication skills

ADR knowledge

MS Office

Education

JD, MBA or CPCU preferred

Bar admission preferred

10+ years experience in surety/claims

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

BSG in-house systems

Job description

Company Details

Berkley Surety is a highly professional, service-oriented surety underwriting management company, providing a full spectrum of bonds for contract, environmental, and commercialsurety accountsthrough multiple distribution channels in both the United States and Canada. We write on behalf of W. R. Berkley Corporationmember companyBerkley Insurance Company, which has an A.M. Best rating of A+ (Superior). We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our agents. We highly value the insight and expertise our agency partners bring to the table which helps us provide timely and predictable surety solutions.

Company URL: www.berkleysurety.com

Responsibilities

Achieves prompt and efficient resolution of all claims in order to minimize exposure or loss and maximize recoveries to the Company. Supports the professional development of other claims department team members through supervision, mentoring or coaching.

• Reviews and understands surety bond coverage in light of bond terms and applicable law and accurately assesses the surety’s position with regard to the claim.
• Independently investigates the claim including assessing the claimant’s and principal’s positions.
• Sets and maintains timely and accurate reserves in consultation with management.
• Develops and executes effective strategies for resolution of claims to mitigate the surety’s losses.
• Preserves, protects and maximizes the surety’s salvage and subrogation opportunities;
• Supports a “no surprises” culture of openness and transparency by providing timely, accurate, current and ongoing analysis, information and reports as to claims status to management.
• Assists Head of Claims or directly supervises the professional development of junior employees through supervision, mentoring and coaching.
• Assists the Head of Claims with department administration and preparing information, reports and presentations to senior management.
• Assists underwriting as may be requested by providing technical claims expertise in assessing risks and exposures; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education Requirement

• Minimum 4-year degree -- JD, MBA or CPCU is preferred and for a JD, admission to practice law in at least one state is desirable.
• A minimum of Ten years of experience in the surety, legal or construction business with at least nine years of progressively increasing responsibility in handling surety or commercial construction claims and/or construction project completions.

Qualifications: Include necessary skills/experience and core competencies required

• Superior knowledge of complex contract and commercial surety claims (e.g. non-routine claims, multiple parties with competing claims, litigation in multiple jurisdictions) and ability to think both strategically and practically (in considering factors such as jurisdictional environment, internal and external bond relationships in order to support claims team in developing strategies to achieve the desired claims resolution.
• Ability to take the initiative, assume ownership, and independently manage all aspects of low to high complexity surety or construction claims with minimal supervision, including effectively directing and supervising outside legal counsel and consultants.
• Ability to effectively and positively supervise, coach or mentor others to achieve consistently improving professional and technical knowledge, skills and abilities in surety claims handling.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint with ability to quickly master BSG in-house systems.
• Maintains state, law or professional adjuster licenses as directed including complying with all CE/CLE requirements.
• Expert negotiation skills.
• Expert interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Expert understanding of and familiarity with both traditional litigation and the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes is preferred.

• The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Additional Company Details

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting agencies or firms.

• Base Salary Range: $150-$175k
• Eligible to participate in annual discretionary bonus
• Benefits include: Health, dental, vision, dental, life, disability, wellness, paid time off, 401(k) and profit-sharing plans

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.

Sponsorship Details

Sponsorship not Offered for this Role