Strategic Recovery Litigation Lead

W. R. Berkley Corporation; Urbandale (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

W. R. Berkley Corporation in Urbandale, IA seeks a Recovery Litigation Manager to oversee complex recovery matters and to lead a team of professionals in subrogation and litigated recoveries.

The role provides settlement authority, advises claims leadership, and partners with operating companies to identify recovery opportunities while maintaining Berkley standards. Occasional travel is required.

Qualifications

• 5 years of property and casualty claims or subrogation experience, including significant exposure to large loss, complex, and litigated matters.
• Demonstrated experience leading recovery professionals.
• Strong working knowledge of tort law, subrogation principles, litigation management, and Arbitration Forums processes.
• Proven experience managing external vendors, recovery desks, or litigation panels.
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions on high-dollar recoveries.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and judgment skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy while collaborating across business units and leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for large loss, complex, and litigated subrogation matters across commercial property and casualty lines.
• Exercise settlement authority within assigned authority levels and serve in an advisory capacity to claims leadership on high-exposure recovery decisions.
• Lead, develop, and manage direct-report recovery professionals, setting performance expectations and supporting professional growth.
• Oversee vendor-assigned recovery programs, including recovery desks, law firms, and other external partners; monitor performance, handle escalations, and drive accountability.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and escalation point for complex recovery strategy, litigation management, and negotiation.
• Partner with claims leadership, adjusters, and operating companies to identify recovery opportunities and align strategy on significant losses.
• Maintain recovery litigation guidelines, best practices, and performance standards for internal teams and vendors.
• Analyze recovery results, trends, and vendor performance; prepare reporting and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Support training and mentoring efforts for recovery staff handling large loss and complex claims.
• Occasional travel for mediations, meetings, or vendor engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Subrogation

Litigation management

Negotiation

Strategic oversight

Vendor management

Tort law

Communication

Autonomy

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

JD preferred

Professional designations (AIC, CPCU, SCLA, CSRP, etc.)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Litigation management software

Job description

W. R. Berkley Corporation in Urbandale, IA seeks a Recovery Litigation Manager to oversee complex recovery matters and to lead a team of professionals in subrogation and litigated recoveries.

The role provides settlement authority, advises claims leadership, and partners with operating companies to identify recovery opportunities while maintaining Berkley standards. Occasional travel is required.