Claims Coverage & Research Director

Job Summary

The Claims Coverage & Research Director, which reports to the Head of Claims Legal Services, will advise, lead and manage a team of Claims Coverage Attorneys experienced in handling both first and third-party matters, who oversee coverage matters for multiple lines including commercial, auto, homeowner and specialty. In addition to being responsible for allocating attorney assignments, scheduling and reviews, also oversees the development and evalutation of department processes, budget and cost analyses, and metrics which includes tracking inter-departmental volume, workflow, cycle time, individual assignments, supplemental opinions, panel referrals, LOB and territory, and coordinating research projects on behalf of clients. Idenitfies, retains and monitors panel counsel and analyzes their work product to ensure quality of research and writing is consistent with the department’s prior legal decisions. Implements directives and strategies related to budgeting, hiring, and management to ensure department is aligned with organizational initiatives. Provides expert legal advice to senior executives on risks to the Claims organization. High degree of organization and efficiency with demonstrated attention to detail.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversees the selection, training and evaluation of department attorneys.
• Establishes goals and objectives, assists and collaborates with, and provides direction and feedback to attorneys’ and monitors progress towards set goals and objectives.
• Ability to distill and articulate complex legal concepts into clear and crisp plain English that clients can readily understand and apply.
• Work with clients proactively to identify risks and ensure appropriate risk mitigation strategies are employed.
• Responsible for ensuring that legal advice provided to clients is handled in a consistent, efficient and effective manner that meets or exceeds department goals.
• Tracks work product created by the department, including opinions and memoranda, training materials, and written guidance. 
• Creates a positive work envrionment that encourages teamwork, cooperation and collaboration utilizing roundtable meetings on high value and complex issues, providing constructive feedback, and rewards and recognition.
• Communicates and oversees implementation of strategic and broader enterprise objectives.
• Provides consistent, effective and timely communication of legal and strategic advice, and pragmatic solutions to clients in the Claims department, LOB leaders and senior executives regarding coverage, litigation and claims-handling matters to reduce litigation, customer complaints, and compliance issues.
• Works with stakeholders and business partners to establish and refine their departments’ objectives, standards and practices.
• As the primary contact for CCRU, collaborates with clients and non-Claims departments on their initiatives and projects by assessing potential risks and legal challenges and assisting in developing appropriate mitigation plans.
• Works closely with the Head of Claims Legal Services in evaluating and reporting department metrics, trends and analytics.
• Accountable for analyzing processes and data within the CCRU group to determine, improve, implement and recommend strategies that increase efficiencies, productivity and quality as well as to reduce risks and costs within the department.
• This includes implementing processes to review and approve requests for legal advice, referrals to outside counsel by the LOBs, recommendations for the initiation of litigation, and the review, approval and management of outside panel counsel and approved legal fees.
• Responsible for managing requests for legal advice from the LOBs and overseeing assignments to CCRU and outside counsel.
• Oversees the selection and management of panel coverage counsel.
• This role will also support the department's Litigation Management team, including management and oversight of certain litigated matters, communications to the LOBs, assisting with operational aspects of the department and other tasks as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements

Experience Requirements