Chief Claims Officer - Argo Group

Business Title(s):Chief Claims Officer, Argo Group

Employment Type:Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: In-Office
 

Summary:

TheChiefClaimsOfficer, Argo Groupreports directly to the ChiefClaimsOfficer,Clearbrooklocated in New York City andmanages the entire Claimsfunction for Argo.As a member of the executivemanagementteam, the Chief Claims Officer, ArgoGroupis responsible forthe overall strategic direction, executiveleadership,and management of all the Argo Group’s claims operations.This includesCasualty,Operations, Property,Reinsurance,Surety,and Workers’ CompensationClaims.The position managesfivedirect reports andapproximately150indirect reports. The Chief Claims Officer, Argo Groupcollaborateswith the other ArgoGroupexecutives inUnderwriting, Actuarial, Finance, Risk, and Legalformulating both strategic plans and policy to meet group profitability and growthobjectives.

The Chief Claims Officer, Argo Groupprovides claim leadership and direction to the Senior Management ofallthe Argo Group claims operations with a focus on supporting the consistent execution of claims functions and maintenance of operational excellence.

This position can be based in any of the following locations: Chicago, IL,Los Angeles, CA,New York City, NY, Omaha, NE,orRichmond, VA.

This is a 100% in-office position. Candidates must be able to work on-site at a designated company office during standard business hours. 
 

Essential Responsibilities:

• Partners with key Argo Group executives to develop strategic and operational plans aimed at achieving both growth and profitability targets. Works collaboratively with representatives of the corporate actuarial team.

• Strategically manages teams led by People Managers to provide customers and partners with strong claims service and technical capabilities.This includes sophisticated coverage analysis,timelyclaims resolution, and strong negotiation of settlements.

• Leads,directs,and has leadership accountability forestablishingclaims and that there are performanceobjectivesand performance metrics in place at all organizational levels to both support and meet setobjectives.

• Drives continuous improvement through initiatives involvingthe employees,processes,and technology.

• Identifiesand implements claims best practices in all operating units for proper and consistent claimsperformance  toinclude management responsibility for claims compliance (OFAC, Medicare Reporting, Adjuster Licensing, SOX etc.) and achieving theappropriate financialoutcomes.

• Effectuates claims resolution and process improvement while maximizing cost effectiveness and educating the business managers/leaders as to claims drivers and trends.

• Ability toestablishworking relationships with a variety of types of claims vendors and to negotiate the vendor contractstomaximize the financial benefit to Argo Group and its customers.

• Expertisein claims litigation management.Must have a proventrack recordof successful outcomes in this regard and be able toestablishand maintain an enterprise-widea specializedlitigation managementunit.

• Provides guidance and direction to claims managers and professionals through a continuous process of management involvement.

• Supports the claims selection process toretainclaimsprofessionals that consistentlydemonstrateappropriate technicalexpertise,maturity,and a professional commitment to excellence.

In summary, the successful candidate must be a knowledgeable,accomplishedand “hands-on” insurance professional with a demonstratedtrack recordof success in leading adiverse commercial linesclaims organization with the ability to provide “best in class” claims service. The successful candidate will havedemonstrated claimstechnical and managementexpertisecoupled with an effective personal style and a “team player” orientation. The Chief Claims Officer, Argo Groupmust be someone who can work collaboratively with other members of an executive management team, deal effectively with individuals of diverse professional backgrounds, and have consistent credibility both inside and outside of Argo Group. A career history that underscores continuous advancement either with an insurance organization or the insurance industry is also a requirement for the successful candidate.

Qualifications / Experience Required:

The ideal candidate for this position will be an accomplished and highly capable insurance professional withsignificantexperienceina seniormanagement commercial property and casualtyclaimsrole within an organization with afull-scaledomestic orientation.He/she must have highly effective leadership skills and a consistent record of superior results in leading a successful commercial claims organization with operationslocatedthroughout the United StatesandBermuda.

The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of property and casualty financial and actuarial concepts and requirements and their influence on the claims reserving process andfinancialoutcomes.He/she must haveexperiencein  designingand implementing claims technology solutions. The successful candidate willpossessan analytic and metric driven focus combined with strong strategy development and execution skills. He/she must be able to develop and provide corporate presentations to senior and executive claims management that are based upon metric-driven analysis and conclusions.

Significant personal characteristics for a successful candidate include:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build consensus both internally and externally.

• A strong focus on execution in getting things done right.Someone who consistently produces and delivers expected results to all stakeholders.

• Client focus – the ability to effectivelydeterminespecific client needs and to provide value added solutions.

• A proven business leader with strong knowledge of Argo Group US, Inc.’s business but who also understands return on capital, expense,risk,and efficient use of capital but also understands howthese linktogether and can translate them intoactions.

• Demonstrates inner strength.Has the courage to do the right thing anddemonstratesitdaily.

• Intellectual curiosity.Consistently considers all options and is not governed by conventional thinking.

• Ability to build commitment both internally and externally.Ability to communicate compelling and inspired corporate vision and to gain support for his/her views,opinions,and decisions.

• Strong focus onselection– determined to have the right peoplewho dothe best job.Has a reputation for his/her ability toidentify, attract and hire talented people.

• Dedicated to developing talent.Understandsand is committed to developing people so that they realize their full potential.

• A team builder, someone who understands that success is dependent upon the performance of the team and not individual team members.Creates strong morale and spirit within the team: shareswinsand celebrates success as a team

• Ability toestablishmentoring relationships with key employees andparticipatesin the development of succession and training plans for critical positions.

• Ability to drive consistent andtimelyapplication of claim adjudication and litigation management strategies.

• Ability toproactivelycommunicateaccurateandtimelyreflection of loss development, potential/actual financial exposure, coverage issues, claimstrategiesand ALAE and ULAE containment.

• Demonstrates superior knowledge of complex claims situations and all aspects oflitigationmanagement process.

• Demonstrates ability to maketimely, solid decisions and recommendations supportive of strategic outcome/results.

• Maintains productive relationships with clients, businesspartnersand organizational peers with a focus ontimelyand meaningful exchanges of information.

• Possessesan extensiveknowledge and experience withadjudicatingand management claims for a portfolio of commercial products/program lines including surety, auto, generalliability,  workers’ compensation, property, asbestos/environmental, reinsurance and the relevant claims handling practices supporting such products/programs.

• Skilled in coverage, liability anddamagesanalysispossessesa comprehensive knowledge of the litigation management process, relevant caseregulationand statutory law.

Education Requirements include:

• J.D.from an accredited law school.

• A CPCU or other relevant professional designation is desirable.

About Working in Claims at Argo Group

• Argo Group does not treat our claims or our claims professionals as a commodity.The work we offer is challenging, diverse, and impactful.

• Our Adjusters and Managers are empowered to exercise their independent discretion and, within broad limits and authority, be creative in developing solutions andtreateach case as the unique situation it is.

• We have a very flat organizational structure, enabling our employeesto havemore interaction with our senior management team, especially when it relates to reviewing large losses.

• Our entire claims team works in a collaborative nature to expeditiously resolve claims.We offer a work environment that inspires innovation and is open to employee suggestions. We even offer rewards for creative and innovative ideas.

• We believe in building an inclusive and diverse team, and we strive to make our office a welcoming space for everyone. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds to apply.

The base salary range provided below is for hires in those geographic areas only and will becommensuratewith candidate experience. Pay ranges for candidates in other locations may differ basedon the cost oflaborin that location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonusand long-term incentivesbased on company and individual performance as well as a generous benefits package.

• Chicago,Los Angeles,New York City, andRichmond Pay Range:$270,000- $350,000