Claims Manager

ExecutiveID & Search; Connecticut; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Waste & Recycling seeks a Claims Manager to lead the insurance function across its diverse operations, including heavy trucking, waste and recycling, a private golf club, and equine activities.

The role partners with the Executive team to manage claims, loss control, and risk management while driving practical, data‑driven improvements inside a family‑led organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Insurance, Finance, Business, Risk Management, or related field.
• Proven analytical and communication skills.
• Experience leading teams and cross‑functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage claims across auto, general liability, workers’ compensation, and property.
• Monitor metrics and lead initiatives to reduce total cost of risk.
• Partner with Legal, Operations, HR, and Safety to investigate incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Review claim files and provide technical oversight to ensure proper handling.
• Identify loss drivers and drive root-cause analyses with multiple departments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Team leadership

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Insurance/Finance/Business/Risk Management

Job description

USA Waste & Recycling and its affiliated family of companies are growing, investing, and innovating – and we’re looking for a Claims Manager who wants to grow with us. This is an opportunity to take on a role where your technical claims expertise is valued immediately, while having the opportunity to expand into broader risk management responsibility. We’re a multi‑generational, family‑led organization with a roll‑up‑your‑sleeves, first‑name‑basis culture where people know each other and wins are celebrated together.

In this role, you’ll partner with the Executive team to lead the insurance function across a unique mix of businesses: heavy trucking and waste/recycling operations, a private golf club (Greathorse), a family entertainment center (Sonny’s Place), and Lindy Farms’ horse racing and breeding operations. If you like variety, enjoy building relationships, and appreciate both structure and informality, this is a place where you can see the full picture and help shape the future.

Key Responsibilities

Claims, Loss Control & Operations

• Oversee and manage claims across auto, general liability, workers’ compensation, and property, including TPA performance, litigation strategy, reserves, and settlements.
• Monitor key metrics (frequency, severity, lag time, incurred vs. paid, closure rates) and lead initiatives to reduce total cost of risk.
• Partner with Legal, Operations, HR, and Safety to investigate serious incidents, perform root‑cause analyses, and implement corrective actions in trucking, facilities, entertainment venues, and equine operations.
• Monitor litigated claims and work closely with insurer-provided counsel to evaluate litigation strategy, legal expense, settlement opportunities, and overall exposure.
• Review claim files and provide technical oversight to ensure claims are being handled appropriately and consistently.
• Identify recurring loss drivers and work with Operations, Safety, HR, and Legal to conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.

I nsurance & Risk Management

• Assist with the administration and management of the company’s commercial insurance programs, including auto liability, general liability, workers’ compensation, property, excess/umbrella, environmental, and other specialty coverages.
• Develop a practical understanding of the company’s retentions, deductibles, limits, self-insured exposures, and risk-financing structure.
• Work with the CFO, brokers, carriers, TPAs, and other insurance partners on renewals, claims issues, coverage questions, loss information, and program administration.
• Develop and maintain basic risk management reporting, including claims trends, loss data, key exposures, and areas requiring management attention.
• Help identify opportunities to strengthen risk transfer through contracts, leases, vendor agreements, waivers, certificates of insurance, and other documentation.
• Support the company’s captive insurance and/or self-insured programs and develop greater responsibility in these areas over time.
• Assist with insurance and risk-related due diligence and integration of newly acquired businesses.

Fleet, Safety & Loss Control

• Partner with Operations and Safety to identify and address risk across an 800+ truck fleet, facilities, and other operating environments.
• Leverage telematics, in‑cab cameras, driver safety technology, and claims data to identify trends and improve fleet performance.
• Participate in investigations of serious accidents and losses and help translate findings into practical corrective actions.
• Work comfortably in field‑based environments, including visiting yards, shops, facilities, golf operations, entertainment venues, and equine/agricultural operations.
• Help build and maintain a practical risk management framework appropriate for a privately held, multi‑entity organization.
• Maintain awareness of key organizational risks and help develop reporting around significant exposures and loss trends.
• Partner with leadership to identify emerging risks and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to the development and standardization of risk and claims policies, procedures, and processes while recognizing that different businesses may have different operational needs.
• As the role develops, take on increasing responsibility for broader risk management, insurance.

The Successful Candidate Will Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Insurance, Finance, Business, Risk Management, or related field (advanced degree a plus).
• 5-7 years of progressive P&C insurance experience. Risk management experience, including multi‑entity or multi‑location responsibility is a plus.
• Meaningful experience with: Commercial auto and fleet risk, ideally heavy trucks or transportation/logistics & Claims oversight and litigation management in auto liability, general liability, and workers’ compensation.
• Comfort working in blue‑collar, field‑based environments as well as hospitality and agricultural operations; you enjoy walking the yard, shop, farm, and course, not just sitting behind a desk.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data into clear, practical recommendations.
• Exceptional communication and relationship‑building skills across diverse teams and industries.
• Ability to lead small teams, and also, lead through influence.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel regularly for site visits.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• A large, growing, entrepreneurial organization with a long‑term family ownership mindset.
• A casual, approachable culture with a direct line to decision‑makers and clear visibility to the impact of your work.
• The chance to work across a genuinely unique mix of operations—trucking, waste and recycling, golf, entertainment, and equine.