Senior Surety Claims Counsel

IAT Insurance Group; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO & holidays

401(k) match

Profit sharing

Hybrid work environment

Training & development

Healthcare

Bonuses

Student loan assistance

Educational assistance

Mentorship program

Dress for Your Day

Job summary

IAT Insurance Group invites applications for a Senior Surety Claims Counsel role. The position reports to the VP, Claims Counsel and collaborates with the SVP, Chief Legal Officer, handling performance bond defaults and various bond claims across locations.

The role supports a hybrid schedule from any IAT Office (Mon–Wed in-office, Thu–Fri remote) with options for fully remote arrangements for ideal candidates. Requires JD with extensive surety/ construction law experience.

Qualifications

• JD required with 7+ years of Surety Claims or Construction Law experience.
• Licensed insurance adjuster or ability to obtain license in assigned regions.
• Authorized to work in the United States and no visa sponsorship required.

Responsibilities

• Interact with claimants, owners, and field staff to resolve complex claims.
• Draft and negotiate documents (Surety Takeover, Completion Agreements, reports).
• Collaborate with underwriters in assigned regions.
• Review work in progress schedules and cost data.
• Supervise outside counsel and consultants’ bills.
• Recommend reserves and manage litigation and salvage recovery actions.
• Analyze payment bond claims and advise on payment decisions.
• Select, develop, and train staff to meet objectives.
• Monitor employee performance.

Skills

Surety claims experience

Construction law

Travel willingness

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

IAT Insurance Group has an immediate opening for a Senior Surety Claims Counsel that can report to any IAT office location. This role reports to the VP, Claims Counsel and works closely with the SVP, Chief Legal Officer as well. The Senior Surety Claims Counsel is responsible for reviewing, investigating, resolving, and negotiating performance bond defaults, payment bond claims, subdivision, and commercial bond claims.

This role works a hybrid schedule from any IAT Office Monday through Wednesday, with the option of working Thursday and Friday remotely.

While we prefer candidates to work from one of our IAT office locations, we are open to considering fully remote arrangements for the ideal candidate.

Responsibilities

• Interacts with attorneys for claimants and owners, as well as field management staff to resolve complex claims issues and ensure cost effective solutions.
• Drafts and negotiates the necessary documents for each situation, such as Surety Takeover and/or Completion Agreements, correspondence, reports and Exposure Analyses.
• Collaborates closely with underwriters in assigned regions.
• Reviews and analyzes work in progress schedules, costs to complete, accounts payable and receivable ledgers.
• Supervises work of outside counsel and consultants’ bills before submitting for approval
• Recommends reserves.
• Manages litigation and salvage recovery actions.
• Analyzes payment bond claims and makes recommendations regarding payment.
• Select, develop, motivate and train staff to achieve objectives.
• Monitors and evaluates employee performance.
• Other job-related duties as required.

Qualifications

Must Have

• JD with 7+ years of relevant Surety Claims and/or Construction Law experience.
• Licensed insurance adjuster or ability to obtain insurance adjuster license as needed in assigned regions or license with reciprocity to assigned regions.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed.
• To qualify, all applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require VISA sponsorship, now or in the future, for employment purposes.

Preferred to Have

• Supervisory experience

Compensation

Please note, that the annual gross salary range associated with this posting is $97,880 – $213,030. The total compensation will include a base salary, performance-based bonus opportunities, 401(K) match, profit-sharing opportunities, and more. Actual salaries will vary based on factors such as a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and geographical location related to this specific role.

To view details of our full benefits, please visit

https://www.iatinsurancegroup.com/careers/benefits

IAT Insurance Group is the largest private, family-owned property and casualty insurer in the U.S. Insurance Answers Together is how we define IAT, in letter and in spirit. We work together to provide solutions for people and businesses. We collaborate internally and with our partners to provide the best possible insurance and surety options for our customers.

At IAT, we’re committed to driving and building an open and supportive culture for all. Our employees propel IAT forward – driving innovation, stable partnerships and growth. That’s why we continue to build an engaging workplace culture to attract and retain the best talent.

We offer comprehensive benefits like

• 26 PTO Days (Entry Level) + 12 Company Holidays = 38 Paid Days Off
• 7% 401(k) Company Match and additional Profit Sharing
• Hybrid work environment
• Numerous training and development opportunities to assist you in furthering your career
• Healthcare and Wellness Programs
• Opportunity to earn performance-based bonuses
• College Loan Assistance Support Plan
• Educational Assistance Program
• Mentorship Program
• Dress for Your Day Policy

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We maintain a drug-free workplace and participate in E-Verify.