Liability Claims Manager

Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool; Texas; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool seeks an experienced Claims Manager to oversee liability and property claims handling. You will supervise staff, guide investigations, determine coverage decisions, and manage settlements and reserves.

The role requires coordinating with legal, claims staff, and multiple departments to achieve efficient outcomes for the Pool and its Members. The position involves training new staff, managing complex claims, and ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. in Business, Insurance, Risk Management, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in liability and property claims.
• Property/Casualty license required.
• Experience with Guidewire products is preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and supports staff to ensure efficient claim resolution and provides training.
• Oversees coverage decisions, reserves, and settlement authority.
• Manages pre/post-trial updates and case law developments affecting claims.
• Reviews high-exposure claims and selects counsel; assists members with inquiries.
• Leads litigation direction toward cost-effective resolutions and attends mediations.
• Manages claims desk, approves invoices and expenses, and supports travel reviews.
• Participates in bi-weekly and quarterly meetings; develops training materials.
• Oversees staffing, hiring, training, evaluations, and disciplinary actions.

Skills

People management

Claims leadership

Risk management

Communication skills

Education

B.A. or B.S. in Business/Insurance/Risk Management or related

Property/Casualty License

Tools

Guidewire

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

Job description

This position is responsible for overseeing the management of liability and property claims, ensuring efficient resolution and effective claims handling. It involves supervising staff, providing training and support, and guiding claims investigations, coverage decisions, and settlement negotiations. Additionally, the role includes managing risk transfer opportunities and collaborating with various departments to ensure successful outcomes for the Pool and its Members.

Required Responsibilities*

• Supervises and supports staff to ensure efficient claim resolution, offering guidance on coverage reviews, investigations, liability analysis, and settlements. Provides training for new claims staff and manages claim assignments.
• Oversees and determines coverage decisions, including coverage denials, withdrawals, and reservation of rights letters. Approves reserves and settlement authority requests and reassigns claims or exposures after thorough review.
• Manages pre-trial and post-trial updates and stays informed about developments in case law impacting Member claims. Collaborates with legal, claims staff, and other departments to ensure effective claim handling.
• Reviews high-exposure non-litigated claims and all litigated files, assess preliminary coverage, and select pre-litigation or defense counsel. Assist Members with coverage inquiries across all lines of business.
• Participates in case meetings when necessary, directing litigation towards cost-effective resolutions. Attends mediations as required and reviews and approves the hiring of experts for claims.
• Manages the claims desk, including answering phone calls, responding to written correspondence, and providing support to claims staff. Approve claims checks, independent adjuster invoices, engineering invoices, and legal invoices.
• Reviews and approves expense reports for business travel and pre-litigation experts.
• Participates in bi-weekly supervisor and manager meetings and quarterly claims trends meetings with multiple Pool departments.
• Conducts research and develops claims-related training presentations, engages in Member meetings to address claims topics, and provides ongoing feedback to claims specialists during one-on-one meetings, team meetings, and quarterly specialist meetings.
• Manages staffing, hiring, training, and assignment of duties for team members. Provides direction, mentoring, and guidance to support team development. Oversees performance evaluations, goal setting, and participates in disciplinary actions and interviews as needed. Develops and implements strategies to improve team management and effectiveness.

* The above responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required by the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.

Education, Work Experience, Certifications** Required

• B.A. or B.S. degree in Business, Insurance, Risk Management, or a related field
• Years of Experience: 8
• Area of Experience: Liability and Property Claims, or a related field
• Property/Casualty License

Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be accepted

Preferred

• None

Essential Competencies and Skills** Required

• Experience managing or leading others with increasing levels of responsibility
• Experience in the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry
• Valid Texas driver’s license and a good driving record
• Possess knowledge and understanding of relevant laws, rules, and regulations
• Proficiency in MS Word
• Proficiency in MS Excel
• Proficiency in MS Outlook

Preferred

• Experience with Guidewire products

** To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary responsibilities.

Work Leadership Requirements

• This position is a people manager.
• This position does have indirect reports.

Travel Requirements

• Occasional overnight travel (by car or air)

Physical Requirements

• Be able to withstand typical office work that includes periods of sitting, standing, typing, etc. indoors while potentially performing job tasks in close proximity to other people.
• In addition to typical office work, must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to move objects.
• Requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer screen, visual inspection, assembly of parts, or extensive reading.
• Ability to have a flexible work schedule to meet business needs, be on call 24x7, and be at work on-site during specified or core hours.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle for extended periods, including prolonged sitting, use of hands and feet to operate vehicle controls, and maintaining visual awareness in varying traffic and weather conditions.
• Must be able to operate standard computer hardware.