SVP – Casualty Claims

At Argo Group, you can make a direct impact while working in an organization small enough to be agile and big enough to make a difference. We ask you to bring a growth mindset and a desire to share your unique perspective with our dynamic teams.

Argo Group , a global multiline underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty market, offers a comprehensive line of high-quality products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims-handling needs of our clients. We foster an inclusive culture that embraces diversity and design thinking, relies on innovation and agility, promotes collaborative service delivery, frequent, integrated communication, and authentic recognition of excellence.

A Brief Overview

The SVP of Casualty Lines Claims reports directly to the Chief Claims Officer located in New York City and manages the entire Casualty sub-function of US Claims. This includes Construction Defect, General Liability Bodily Injury, General Liability Property Damage, and New York Labor Law, the position manages four direct reports and 33 indirect reports.  With a focus on short- to mid- term strategies (usually less than three years), this role will have a significant impact on bottom-line results. This position can be based in any of the following locations where Argo has an office: Chicago, IL, New York City, NY, Omaha, NE, Richmond, VA, Rockwood, PA, or San Antonio, TX. We work together in the office five days a week in order to strengthen our culture, build team connections, and drive profitability.

How You Will Make an Impact:

• Strategically manages teams led by People Managers to provide customers and partners with strong claims service and technical capabilities.  This includes sophisticated coverage analysis, timely claims resolution, and strong negotiation of settlements.
• Communicates and influences senior leadership regarding matters of strategic importance related to own scope of responsibility.
• Creates a culture of accountability, engagement, inclusion and performance that cultivates superior claims talent and opportunities to thrive.
• Acts as a role model demonstrating belief in, and commitment to, the aspiration values of Argo Group, continuing to build and lead a value-based organization committed to long-term success.
• Partners with Chief Claims Officer and other senior Claims Management to establish, refine and evolve best-in-class claim management program operating characteristics, measurement criteria, and meaningful metrics benchmarking.
• Implements and monitors the execution of reserving and settlement policies.
• Partners with key Claims Management to develop strategic and operational plans aimed at achieving efficiencies so that the department can meet its Critical Success Goals and the Company can meet both growth and profitability targets.
• Provides guidance and direction to claims managers and professionals through a continuous process of management involvement.
• Participates in and approves decisions on reserving and settlement on cases above field claim manager authority. Enters reserves or checks as required.
• Establishes working relationships with diverse Business Unit leaders on claims-related issues, including strategic loss reduction initiatives.
• Ensures performance objectives and performance metrics are in place for all positions throughout the department.
• Supports the claims selection process to retain claims professionals that consistently demonstrate appropriate technical expertise, maturity and a professional commitment to excellence and customer service.
• Manages expenditures to budget / plan.

What We Need:

• J. D.  from an accredited law school.
• Exhibit a mastery within the Casualty lines technical sub-function of Claims typically achieved through a minimum of ten years’ experience adjudicating claims and five years’ experience managing people.
• A thorough understanding of property and casualty underwriting, financial and actuarial concepts and requirements and their influence on the claims reserving process and financial outcomes.
• Ability to develop and provide corporate presentations to senior and executive claims management that are based upon metric-driven analysis and conclusions.
• Independent decision maker – takes full responsibility for making decisions and consequences associated with decisions.
• Demonstrates inner strength. Has the courage to do the right thing and demonstrates it on a daily basis.
• Intellectual curiosity – the ability to consistently consider all options and is not governed by conventional thinking.
• Client focus – the ability to effectively determine specific client needs and to provide value added solutions.
• 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: shares wins and celebrates success as a team
• Proven employee development, mentoring, coaching and performance management skills.
• Strong focus on selection – determined to have the right people who do the best job.
• Recognized as a leader within the organization that provides advice and guidance to others.
• Strong interpersonal skills, good judgment and be capable of communicating with a diverse range of individuals.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with clients, business partners and organizational peers with a focus on timely and meaningful exchanges of information.
• Ability to build commitment both internally and externally. Ability to communicate corporate vision and to gain support for your views, opinions and decisions.
• A strong focus on execution in getting things done right. Someone who consistently produces and delivers expected results to all stakeholders.
• Proficient in the use of computer programs, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Polished and professional written and verbal communication skills. The ability to read and write English fluently is required.
• CPCU, ARM or other Insurance Institute coursework strongly preferred.

Physical Demands

Unless otherwise specified below as an essential function of the job, this role generally operates within a standard office environment (on-site, remote or hybrid); requiring the use of a PC and other related office equipment.

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 and treat each case as the unique situation it is. 
• We have a very flat organizational structure, enabling our employees have more 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.

Employees at Argo thrive together as a responsible, profitable specialty insurer where all stakeholders share in our success.  

 We are committed to:

• Demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit:
  • Get the job done in a non-bureaucratic, resourceful manner.
  • Create a culture of accountability ensuring the delivery of world-class products and services.
• Do the right thing:
  • Act with integrity always.
  • Adhere to the commitments set forth in the Argo Group Environmental, Social and Governance program.
• Collaborate:
  • Create an open and transparent environment in which diverse experience, skill sets, and individuals can team together to drive optimal outcomes.
  • Encourage and include unique perspectives at all times.
• Respect each other:
  • Create an environment that promotes dialogue, mutual support and cooperation between and among all, where people are fun to be around, proud of what they do, and willing to achieve beyond normal expectations.