Liability Claims Leader

The James Allen Companies, Inc; Westmont (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The James Allen Companies, Inc. seeks a Supervisor of Liability Claims to lead liability claims operations for a public entity risk management organization serving municipalities and other governmental entities throughout Northeastern Illinois.

This senior role combines technical liability expertise, litigation oversight, team leadership, and strategic risk management to improve outcomes. The ideal candidate will guide staff, collaborate with defense counsel, analyze trends, and present

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience handling liability claims and/or liability litigation.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or claims leadership experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Strong knowledge of complex liability claims and litigation.
• In-depth understanding of applicable Illinois liability law.
• Knowledge of the Illinois Tort Immunity Act and Section 1983 law.
• Strong litigation management experience, including working with defense counsel and evaluating case strategy and exposure.
• Experience reviewing coverage issues and working with excess insurance or reinsurance reporting requirements.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify claims trends and translate findings into practical risk management strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise liability claims operations and provide guidance, direction, and technical support to claims staff.
• Oversee complex liability claims from initial evaluation through resolution.
• Provide strategic oversight of litigated claims and work closely with defense counsel on case strategy, exposure evaluation, settlement decisions, and resolution.
• Analyze claims and litigation trends to identify emerging risks, recurring exposures, and opportunities for loss reduction.
• Present claims trends, significant exposures, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Review coverage documents, evaluate potential coverage issues, and provide guidance regarding coverage determinations.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of claims to excess carriers and reinsurers.
• Oversee subrogation and recovery opportunities.
• Evaluate financial and operational impacts associated with significant claims and litigation.
• Work closely with member organizations on claims issues, litigation matters, loss prevention, and risk management strategies.
• Provide claims-related training, consultation, and education to member organizations.
• Serve as staff liaison to assigned Steering Committees.
• Participate in Committee and Board meetings and communicate significant claims developments, trends, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and other departments to develop strategies designed to reduce losses, improve claims outcomes, and strengthen overall risk management.
• Maintain strong relationships with defense counsel, outside experts, excess carriers, reinsurers, and other claims partners.

Skills

Liability claims

Litigation management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Supervisor of Liability Claims

We are seeking an experienced Supervisor of Liability Claims to lead liability claims operations for a well-established public entity risk management organization serving municipalities and other governmental entities throughout Northeastern Illinois.

This is a senior claims leadership position that combines technical liability expertise, litigation oversight, team leadership, member consultation, and strategic risk management. The Supervisor will play an important role in both the day-to-day management of complex liability claims and the broader evaluation of claim trends, litigation exposures, and emerging risks.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced liability claims professional who can lead a team, make sound technical decisions, communicate effectively with attorneys and organizational leadership, and translate claims activity into meaningful strategies that reduce losses and improve outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise liability claims operations and provide guidance, direction, and technical support to claims staff.
• Oversee complex liability claims from initial evaluation through resolution.
• Provide strategic oversight of litigated claims and work closely with defense counsel on case strategy, exposure evaluation, settlement decisions, and resolution.
• Analyze claims and litigation trends to identify emerging risks, recurring exposures, and opportunities for loss reduction.
• Present claims trends, significant exposures, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.
• Review coverage documents, evaluate potential coverage issues, and provide guidance regarding coverage determinations.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of claims to excess carriers and reinsurers.
• Oversee subrogation and recovery opportunities.
• Evaluate financial and operational impacts associated with significant claims and litigation.
• Work closely with member organizations on claims issues, litigation matters, loss prevention, and risk management strategies.
• Provide claims-related training, consultation, and education to member organizations.
• Serve as staff liaison to assigned Steering Committees.
• Participate in Committee and Board meetings and communicate significant claims developments, trends, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and other departments to develop strategies designed to reduce losses, improve claims outcomes, and strengthen overall risk management.
• Maintain strong relationships with defense counsel, outside experts, excess carriers, reinsurers, and other claims partners.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience handling liability claims and/or liability litigation.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or claims leadership experience.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Strong technical knowledge of complex liability claims and litigation.
• In-depth understanding of applicable Illinois liability law.
• Knowledge of the Illinois Tort Immunity Act and Section 1983 law.
• Strong litigation management experience, including working with defense counsel and evaluating case strategy and exposure.
• Experience reviewing coverage issues and working with excess insurance or reinsurance reporting requirements.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify claims trends and translate findings into practical risk management strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with claim professionals, attorneys, governmental officials, executive leadership, committees, and Board members.
• Strong customer service and relationship management skills.

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Public entity or municipal liability claims
• Governmental risk pools
• Self-insured public entities
• Civil rights and Section 1983 claims
• Law enforcement liability
• General liability litigation
• Public officials liability
• Illinois municipal or governmental claims

Benefits

The organization offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Pension plan
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Generous paid time off