Assistant Vice President Claims Litigation

Encova Insurance is seeking an experienced P&C litigation leader to join our Claims organization as Assistant Vice President, Claims Litigation. This role will lead and support litigation strategy and outcomes across our Property & Casualty business. The position offers the flexibility to work hybrid from our Columbus, Ohio office or home-based from an eligible payroll state listed in this posting.

Are you a Referral?

If you know a current Encova Insurance associate and would like to apply as a referral, please encourage them to submit your referral information before you submit your application. You will receive an email with a direct URL link to the Job Posting of interest. Applying through this URL link will create your referral relationship for our Talent Acquisition Team.

Unique residence requirements are listed in each job posting, please review closely for details.

Encova is only able to employ associates who reside and work within specific U.S. states. Our current policies are based on the laws in states in which we are registered for payroll. Our current footprint includes:

Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

JOB OBJECTIVE:

Under the general direction and as a member of the Litigation Services leadership team, the Assistant Vice President (AVP) Litigation Services may be responsible for the product quality and performance of a team of Litigation and Senior Litigation Specialists managing a diverse variety of liability and coverage litigation involving Encova and its commercial and personal lines insureds. The AVP Litigation Services may be responsible for the product quality and performance of a team of paralegals providing support to Litigation Specialists.

Operating with a continuous improvement mindset, the AVP Litigation Services will work closely with the Vice President (VP) Claims Litigation and their AVP Litigation Services peers to develop and execute on strategies focused on operational effectiveness, improving product quality, driving proactive litigation management behaviors, and delivering litigation services, which consistently achieve outcomes that address loss costs, expense, and the specific needs of our policyholders.

This position will report to the Vice President, Claims Litigation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Provide direction and technical guidance through a continuous process of management involvement and frequent file review concentrated on driving resolution and outcome focused behaviors and the proactive management of litigated claims.
• Ensure sound litigation management practices consistent with our Best Practices are employed that (1) protect the interests of Encova’s policyholders and (2) provide a superior customer experience tailored to meet our policyholders’ specific needs, and (3) minimize litigation exposure. 
• Partner with the AVPs and VP in the continuous development and execution of cost containment strategies focused on managing litigation expense through, among other things, law firm relationship management, law firm performance monitoring and assessment, and legal bill review. 
• Partner with the AVPs and VP in the continuous development of key performance indicators to identify trends and measure operational effectiveness around claim outcomes and expense management.
• Analyze Litigation Services results and initiate, develop and recommend strategies or action plans to positively impact those results or make changes to improve policy, procedure, efficiency, or service.
• Reinforce and support the Litigation Services and overall Claims mission, strategies and key business objectives through effective communication and action.
• Promote the integration of outside counsel into a collaborative approach focused on delivering desired outcomes to all key stakeholders.
• Leverage reporting, management information and analytics to help identify trends and opportunities to timely recognize exposures that require additional management intervention and resources to achieve optimal litigation outcomes.
• Ensure effective large loss governance through the timely notification to our Business and Reinsurance partners of litigation matters that meet reporting triggers under our large loss and reinsurance guidelines and the continuous monitoring and file review of those matters.
• Review and approve request for settlement, payment and/or reserving authority as appropriate.
• Review and assess new litigation matters to ensure matters are assigned to team members with appropriate skill sets, consistent with specialization strategies.
• Ensure timely and appropriate reserving practices are employed throughout the life of the litigation, including timely reserve adjustments based upon loss development.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships throughout the enterprise; collaborate with our stakeholders to improve litigation outcomes and ensure the Litigation Services’ business objectives align with broader enterprise objectives.  Serves as a true partner and strategist in creating a connected and high-performance Claims operation.
• Share insight and knowledge with our stakeholders around legal environment and loss development to help the business understand drivers and trends to support profitable growth and attract and retain business.  Provide advice, guidance and legal support for the claims organization and other company associates and departments as needed.
• Attract, retain, & develop superior talent. Partner with AVPs and VP in the development and execution of talent strategies focused on development, training, career pathing, succession planning, staffing and engagement and retention. Proactive performance management through real time coaching, performance assessments, and feedback to drive operational improvement and foster a culture of continual development and improvement.
• Build a culture of innovation and diversity of thought where each member feels empowered and connected to a clear plan to achieve our defined business objectives.
• Participate in and/or facilitate roundtables and authority board reviews on resolution, reserving, coverage, liability, and damage issues and provide legal opinions as needed.

OTHER FUNCTIONS: 

• Participate in or lead various projects within the Litigation Services division as directed.
• May assume the duties of the VP Claim Litigation in their absence.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Experience as a practicing attorney and/or experience in P&C or Worker's Compensation insurance litigation management required.
• P&C/Worker's Compensation insurance industry leadership experience strongly preferred.
• Significant knowledge of Worker's Compensation and/or P&C coverages, liability, and exposures including commercial and personal auto, construction (worksite accident and defect), general liability (premises, completed operations, products), first-party property, first party auto, and bad faith.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of contractual risk transfer, tort law, civil procedure, insurance coverage, general insurance law, and commercial lines products.
• Skilled in coverage, liability/damages analysis, and litigation strategy, with expert litigation management skills, including:
  • Large loss management.
  • Mediation, arbitration, and settlement negotiations.
  • Technical expertise to evaluate severe and complex claims.
  • Effective claims handling practices.
• Candidate must demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Superior written and verbal communication skills with the ability to persuade, influence and achieve buy in. 
  • Superior interpersonal, customer service, and conflict resolution skills. Ability to resolve problems with solutions that are fair to customers and right for the company.
  • Strong decision making – able to make well-reasoned decisions based upon analysis and experience.
  • Strong analytical skills with capability to identify problems, assess available information, analyze potential solutions, and adopt a logical approach.
  • Ability to coach, mentor, develop talent along with the capability to deliver performance assessment and employ performance management when necessary.
  • Ability to leverage analytics and management information to identify trends and opportunities with the capability to develop and take strategic action to address.
  • Ability to lead, inspire, motivate, and drive performance.  
  • Ability to enable and encourage others to act by fostering collaboration and teamwork, building trust, and facilitating relationships.
  • Personal accountability for results and a commitment to continuous improvement in processes and operations that will enhance service, boost overall performance, and support enterprise objectives.
    
    

This position has been evaluated in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Encova Insurance makes every effort to reasonably accommodate disabilities to permit performance of the essential functions and candidates who need such accommodation are encouraged to seek it.  This description reflects the nature and level of work performed by associates in this position.  It is not an all-inclusive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.  It provides an accurate overview of the work and skills needed to perform this position.  Because job content may change from time to time, Encova Insurance reserves the right to add and/or delete functions from this job as it deems necessary for business reasons.

Ready to join our team?
At Encova Insurance, we firmly believe that our associates drive our company's success by delivering unrivaled service to our customers. With success in mind, we make an ongoing effort to provide an environment that offers challenging, stimulating, and financially rewarding opportunities. Join us to discover a work experience where you can learn and grow to your fullest potential.

What you can expect from us

In addition to a competitive compensation package, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and growth of our associates. Available benefits (subject to any policy or plan changes) include, but are not limited to:

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Company-provided life and income protection plans

• Eligibility to participate in a company incentive bonus program

• 401(k) Retirement Plan - 100% company match up to 7% on annual salary

• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, and Floating Holidays

• Flexible Work Arrangements - Hybrid and remote depending on the role

We believe that happy, healthy associates are the foundation of great work. Join us and thrive both professionally and personally.

Encova Insurance is an EOE/E-Verify employer.

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