Senior Claims Specialist, Construction Defect

AXA Group; Morristown (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

AXA XL in the United States is seeking a Senior Claims Specialist – Construction Defect to manage complex primary and excess construction defect claims across multiple jurisdictions. You will lead investigations, analyze coverage, set resolution strategies, and collaborate with counsel, brokers, and underwriters to optimize outcomes.

This role reports to the Construction Defect Claims Manager and requires seasoned judgment, strong communication, and the ability to work with virtual teams to

Qualifications

• Progress toward an insurance or industry-related qualification is preferred.
• Experience handling Construction Defect or related casualty claims.
• Strong technical claims knowledge, including investigation, coverage analysis, reserving, litigation management, and settlement strategy.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Managing a portfolio of complex Construction Defect claims across multiple jurisdictions, investigating facts, analyzing coverage, and setting case resolution strategy.
• Partnering with internal and external counsel to set cost-efficient litigation strategies for litigated claims.
• Consulting with Claims management on Large Losses and ensuring steps are taken to achieve the best outcome.
• Conducting loss investigations and identifying recovery and risk transfer opportunities within timelines and budget.
• Maintaining an accurate written record of claim activity and establishing reserves as per policy.
• Owning all assigned claims from inception to resolution, ensuring timely settlements or closures.
• Identifying, monitoring and reporting on industry and coverage trends to inform strategy.
• Coordinating with stakeholders to ensure high levels of customer service.
• Providing regular updates to the Claims Manager and reporting as required.
• Supporting professional development and mentoring junior staff.

Skills

Construction Defect claims

Claims analysis

Communication skills

Independent judgment

Litigation management

Education

Insurance qualification progress

Job description

Senior Claims Specialist – Construction Defect

Los Angeles, CA | Hartford, CT | Exton, PA | New York, NY | Morristown, NJ | Atlanta, GA | USA

At AXA XL, we deliver on our claims promise by having the best systems, the best people and the best partnerships in place. That's where our Construction Defect claims team comes in. Construction Defect claims can be very complex. They require the right balance of knowledge and skills. In claims, experience matters. In construction claims, experience is essential.

As a Construction Defect Claims Specialist, you will be responsible for handling and resolving complex, highly specialized, and high exposure Primary and Excess Construction claims, through investigation, evaluation and disposition. This may require you to oversee and monitor underlying aggregates and primary files to ensure proper reporting of potential exposures to AXA XL’s policies. You will be making appropriate recommendations to management on coverage and settlement. You will be proactive about the management and collection, organization and analysis of information, assurance of reserve adequacy, mitigation of AXA XL's Risk/Loss Exposure, management of litigation, and formulation of effective disposition strategy on all reported losses.

You will be performing complex work under limited supervision. As such, we will expect you to exercise independent judgment and decision making in accordance with specified policies and guidelines. You should possess a high level of procedural and/or technical knowledge that has been developed through extensive experience.

Whatyou’ll be doing

What will your essential responsibilities include?

• Managing a portfolio of complex Construction Defect claims across multiple jurisdictions, investigating the pertinent facts, analyzing the applicability of coverage to the facts, and setting the case resolution strategy for each claim.
• Partnering with internal and external counsel to set and pursue effective, cost-efficient litigation strategies for litigated claims.
• Consulting with Claims management on Large Losses and ensuring all steps are taken to achieve the best outcome.
• Conducting loss investigations on assigned claims and identifying potential recovery and risk transfer opportunities within agreed timelines and budget parameters.
• Maintaining an accurate written record of all relevant claim activity in accordance with our Global Claim Handling Principles, including the establishment and maintenance of appropriate reserves.
• Maintaining ownership of all assigned claims from inception to resolution, ensuring timely and accurate settlement or closure.
• Identifying, monitoring and reporting on emerging industry, liability and coverage trends, leading to data-driven success.
• Coordinating and managing communication with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., Underwriting, brokers, reinsurers, external vendors, etc.) to ensure the highest level of customer service.
• Providing regular updates to the Claims Manager, including reports and statistical reporting as required.
• Maintaining market awareness and working with the Claims Manager to support ongoing personal and professional development.
• Assisting in training and mentoring junior claims staff, sharing industry knowledge and best practices.

You will report to the Construction Defect Claims Manager.

What you will BRING

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

• Significant progress toward an insurance or industry-related qualification is preferred.
• Experience handling Construction Defect or related casualty claims.
• Strong technical claims knowledge, including investigation, coverage analysis, reserving, litigation management, and settlement strategy.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Highest standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at varying levels of sophistication.
• Collaborative approach, with the ability to develop productive working relationships with insureds, brokers, claim handlers, underwriters, and legal counsel.
• Ability to seek input from others as needed to achieve the best possible outcome.
• Comfort working and collaborating with virtual teams.
• Strong ethical judgment and the ability to handle responsibilities with integrity and professionalism.
• Passion for results, including a proactive approach, strong prioritization skills, and the ability to manage multiple workstreams without sacrificing quality.
• Intellectual curiosity, with a willingness to ask questions, explore new ideas, and continuously improve technical skills.

Who WE are

AXA XL, the P&C and specialty risk division of AXA, is known for solving complex risks. For mid-sized companies, multinationals and even some inspirational individuals we don’t just provide re/insurance, we reinvent it.

How? By combining a comprehensive and efficient capital platform, data-driven insights, leading technology, and the best talent in an agile and inclusive workspace, empowered to deliver top client service across all our lines of business − property, casualty, professional, financial lines and specialty.

With an innovative and flexible approach to risk solutions, we partner with those who move the world forward.

Learn more at axaxl.com

What we OFFER

Inclusion

AXA XL is committed to equal employment opportunity and will consider applicants regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity and origins, marital status, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic. At AXA XL, we know that an inclusive culture and enables business growth and is critical to our success. That’s why we have made a strategic commitment to attract, develop, advance and retain the most inclusive workforce possible, and create a culture where everyone can bring their full selves to work and reach their highest potential. It’s about helping one another — and our business — to move forward and succeed.

• Five Business Resource Groups focused on gender, LGBTQ+, ethnicity and origins, disability and inclusion with 20 Chapters around the globe.
• Robust support for Flexible Working Arrangements
• Enhanced family-friendly leave benefits
• Named to the Diversity Best Practices Index
• Signatory to the UK Women in Finance Charter

Learn more at Inclusion & Diversity at AXA XL | AXA XL. AXA XL is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Total Rewards

AXA XL’s Reward program is designed to take care of what matters most to you, covering the full picture of your health, wellbeing, lifestyle and financial security. It provides competitive compensation and personalized, inclusive benefits that evolve as you do.

We’re committed to rewarding your contribution for the long term, so you can be your best self today and look forward to the future with confidence.

Sustainability

At AXA XL, Sustainability is integral to our business strategy. In an ever-changing world, AXA XL protects what matters most for our clients and communities. We know that sustainability is at the root of a more resilient future. Our 2023-26 Sustainability strategy, called “Roots of resilience”, focuses on protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, and embedding sustainable practices across our operations.

Our Pillars:

• Valuing nature: How we impact nature affects how nature impacts us. Resilient ecosystems - the foundation of a sustainable planet and society – are essential to our future. We’re committed to protecting and restoring nature – from mangrove forests to the bees in our backyard – by increasing biodiversity awareness and inspiring clients and colleagues to put nature at the heart of their plans.
• Addressing climate change: The effects of a changing climate are far-reaching and significant. Unpredictable weather, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels cause both social inequalities and environmental disruption. We're building a net zero strategy, developing insurance products and services, and mobilizing to advance thought leadership and investment in societal-led solutions.
• Integrating ESG: All companies have a role to play in building a more resilient future. Incorporating ESG considerations into our internal processes and practices builds resilience from the roots of our business. We’re training our colleagues, engaging our external partners, and evolving our sustainability governance and reporting.
• AXA Hearts in Action: We have established volunteering and charitable giving programs to help colleagues support causes that matter most to them, known as AXA XL’s “Hearts in Action” programs. These include our Matching Gifts program, Volunteering Leave, and our annual volunteering day – the Global Day of Giving.

For more information, please see Sustainability at AXA XL

The U.S. base salary range for this position is USD 117,000-184,400

Actual pay will be determined based upon the individual’s skills, experience and location. We strive for market alignment and internal equity with our colleagues’ pay.

At AXA XL, we know how important physical, mental, and financial health are to our employees, which is why we are proud to offer benefits such as a competitive retirement savings plan, health and wellness programs, and many other benefits. We also believe in fostering our colleagues' development and offer a wide range of learning opportunities for colleagues to hone their professional skills and to position themselves for the next step of their careers. For more details about AXA XL’s benefits offerings, please visit US Benefits at a Glance 2026.