Liability Claims Manager

Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA); New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid health, dental, and life insurance

Flexible schedules

Generous 401 pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid vacation and holiday time

Paid vacation and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A leading municipal risk management agency in Connecticut is seeking a Liability Claims Manager to oversee a team of Claim Specialists. The role involves managing claims, filing reviews, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Successful candidates will have extensive knowledge of claims investigation and supervisory experience. A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Connecticut Adjuster's License are preferred. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of claims investigation/resolution experience.
• 2 years of supervisory experience required.
• Connecticut Adjuster's License or a suitable license.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business Administration or a related field.
• Pursuit of professional designations (e.g., AIC, CPCU, ARM, SCLA, etc.) is recommended.
• Connecticut Adjuster’s License or a suitable license.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills to meet challenges with a high degree of ownership and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Manage and assign claims based on adjusters' experience and skill set.
• Conduct file reviews and ensure compliance with standards.
• Provide coaching and training to team members.
• Manage caseloads and review authority levels for claims.
• Authority Management. Reviews and approves reserve and settlement recommendations that exceed adjusters’ authority levels. Helps establish authority levels in coordination with the Vice President of Claims.
• Caseload Management. Establishes and monitors individual adjuster caseloads according to approved performance standards.
• Oversight of External Resources. Monitors the quality of work performed by third parties such as independent adjusters, investigators, attorneys, and case managers.
• Reporting & Communication. Keeps the Vice President of Claims informed on key matters including claim quality, service level compliance, reserving and legal trends, and other issues impacting department goals. Attends and presents upcoming trials and settlement authority requests to CIRMA’s Claims Advisory Committee.
• Personnel Management. Performs all management‑related functions, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, career development and training.
• Outside Counsel Management. Monitors the performance and billing practices of outside counsel to ensure cost‑effective legal representation.

Skills

Local and state laws knowledge

Claims investigation techniques

Staff evaluation and training

Communication of technical issues

Interpretation of legal documents

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

Connecticut Adjuster’s License

Job description

About CIRMA

CIRMA is seeking a Liability Claims Manager to provide oversight, guidance, and direction for a team of Claim Specialists. Supports the philosophy and goals of the Liability Claim Department through effective technical and procedural supervision. Responsible for the overall performance, development, and results of direct reports within the unit.

Diversity in thought and opportunity. Collaborative culture. Camaraderie and shared responsibility. That’s CIRMA. Our delivery of innovative, industry-leading insurance products and services has made CIRMA Connecticut’s number-one choice for municipal insurance coverage. For more than 40 years, CIRMA has provided an unmatched alternative to the commercial insurance market by focusing on our members’ satisfaction and loss reduction through deep experience in claim and risk management. Our employees’ commitment to excellence drives CIRMA’s success. We, in turn, are committed to theirs.

CIRMA aims to empower our municipalities to manage risk better in an ever-changing environment. We deliver on our promise by empowering our employees to thrive in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where integrity and excellence are valued, providing the freedom to contribute to the Connecticut communities we serve.

SOUND GOOD? HERE’S WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• Claim Assignment & Oversight. Reviews incoming claim notices for the unit and assigns cases based on adjusters’ experience, skill set, appropriate territory, and claim complexity. Identifies key issues and provides direction regarding coverage analysis, comprehensive investigations, liability determination, and case evaluation.
• File Review & Monitoring. Establishes and maintains a system for timely follow-up on complex, litigated, and non‑litigated claims. Conducts periodic reviews of all claim files assigned to team members.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance. Evaluates the quality of work and compliance with claim handling standards during file reviews. Documents findings, communicates feedback to team members, and provides additional training or implements corrective action as needed.
• Coaching & Development. Provides ongoing coaching, mentoring, and training in areas including investigation techniques, reserve setting, and final claim resolution.
• Authority Management. Reviews and approves reserve and settlement recommendations that exceed adjusters’ authority levels. Helps establish authority levels in coordination with the Vice President of Claims.
• Caseload Management. Establishes and monitors individual adjuster caseloads according to approved performance standards.
• Oversight of External Resources. Monitors the quality of work performed by third parties such as independent adjusters, investigators, attorneys, and case managers.
• Reporting & Communication. Keeps the Vice President of Claims informed on key matters including claim quality, service level compliance, reserving and legal trends, and other issues impacting department goals. Attends and presents upcoming trials and settlement authority requests to CIRMA’s Claims Advisory Committee.
• Personnel Management. Performs all management‑related functions, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, career development and training.
• Outside Counsel Management. Monitors the performance and billing practices of outside counsel to ensure cost‑effective legal representation.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE, YOU’LL NEED TO BRING THE FOLLOWING SKILLS TO THE TABLE:

• Thorough knowledge of local and state laws, regulations, and CIRMA policies and procedures related to the full claims management process, from initial investigation to final resolution. Able to apply and communicate this knowledge in supervisory duties.
• Extensive knowledge of claims investigation techniques and the ability to effectively evaluate and administer training programs.
• Effectively assess staffing needs and direct, motivate, evaluate, and train staff.
• Ability to communicate technical, legal, and medical issues in a member‑conscious style.
• Ability to interpret industry manuals, technical, legal, and medical documents, and translate findings into non‑technical jargon.

YOU’LL ALSO NEED THE FOLLOWING ATTRIBUTES:

• Public entity insurance experience.
• Property casualty insurance industry experience.
• At least 7 years of claims investigation/resolution experience.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Business Administration or a related field.
• Pursuit of professional designations (e.g., AIC, CPCU, ARM, SCLA, etc.) is recommended.
• Connecticut Adjuster’s License or a suitable license.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills to meet challenges with a high degree of ownership and delivery.

CIRMA’S PHILOSOPHY IS TO PROVIDE EXEMPLARY COMPENSATION PACKAGES TO ITS EMPLOYEES. WE OFFER COMPETITIVE SALARIES AND COMPREHENSIVE BENEFIT PACKAGES, INCLUDING:

• Diverse and inclusive culture.
• Paid health, dental, life, vision, and long‑term disability insurance plans—some of the most competitive plans out there.
• Flexible schedules and healthy work/life balance—these are not just trendy buzz words at CIRMA.
• Generous 401 pension plan without employee contributions— we invest in you and your future.
• Paid vacation and holiday time / Tuition Reimbursement / Employer‑paid staff development and training programs—again, we care for and invest in one of our most valuable assets. You!
• Please send your resume and cover letter. EOE!