Chief Claims Officer

Strategic Leadership & Enterprise Alignment

• Lead the development, refinement, and execution of a comprehensive claims strategy aligned with enterprise objectives, partnering closely with the President and various departments leaders including Underwriting, Actuary, and Finance.
• Evaluate existing strategies and operating models to identify opportunities for modernization, operational efficiency, and improved claim outcomes.
• Serve as an advisor to the Senior Leadership Team on emerging loss trends, regulatory developments, market shifts, and strategic implications for the business.

Operational Excellence & Claims Performance

• Ensure timely, fair, and consistent claims handling through disciplined adherence to internal claims best practices.
• Oversee the establishment and maintenance of appropriate and timely claim reserves, reinforcing the importance of reserve accuracy in supporting rate adequacy and financial performance.
• Lead the development and continuous enhancement of claims programs, performance metrics, operational frameworks, and compliance controls.
• Champion the effective use of predictive analytics, technology, and automation to advance decision quality, improve operational efficiency, and reduce loss costs.
• Drive cost containment strategies—including both ALAE and ULAE—in partnership with Finance and other business leaders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Collaborate across Underwriting, Actuarial, Finance, and other critical functions to ensure alignment on market intelligence, legal changes, loss trends, and strategic assumptions.
• Provide clear, consistent communication to brokers, reinsurers, and other stakeholders regarding claims performance, key developments, and major losses.

Litigation, Legal Strategy & External Partnerships

• Oversee sound litigation management practices including panel counsel selection, performance monitoring, and adherence to established metrics.
• Oversee the detailed review of legal bills using appropriate tools and methodologies to ensure cost optimization and quality representation.
• Participate in mediations, arbitrations, depositions, and trials where executive-level presence or decision-making is required.

Organizational Leadership, Culture & Talent Development

• Provide vision, direction, and executive leadership to the Claims organization, cultivating a culture of accountability, communication, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Lead all people management activities including hiring, workforce planning, coaching, performance management, and succession development.
• Build talent bench strength by upskilling existing team members and creating a pipeline of strong claims professionals who can support long-term business needs.
• Set clear expectations, provide frequent and constructive feedback, and create conditions that motivate the team to achieve peak performance.
• Create the Claims annual budget, operational objectives, and performance goals.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Ensure full regulatory compliance and immediately report all regulatory inquiries while coordinating appropriate responses.
• Maintain a disciplined approach to audits, operational reviews, and internal controls to validate effectiveness and consistency across the claims function.
• Perform other strategic duties or enterprise assignments as requested by the President.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Juris Doctor strongly preferred; advanced degree a plus
• 15+ years of claims leadership experience with progressive responsibility.
• Expertise across casualty lines including General Liability, Product Liability, Supported and Unsupported Excess, Professional Liability, and Construction Defect.
• Proven background in large loss management, mediation strategy, and complex settlement negotiations.
• Demonstrated financial acumen in budgeting, loss cost analysis, and evaluating cost 6benefit outcomes for initiatives and projects.

Leadership Competencies

Leadership Excellence

• Sets clear expectations and inspires teams to deliver exceptional results.
• Provides direct, timely feedback and actively seeks input from colleagues and team members.
• Delegates effectively while maintaining accountability and operational oversight.

Communication & Influence

• Demonstrates strong interpersonal, presentation, negotiation, and consultative skills.
• Communicates effectively across all levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Responds promptly to customer needs and maintains a highly collaborative approach with the Leadership Team.

Operational & Work Management Skills

• Maintains a high degree of initiative, professionalism, and positive energy.
• Demonstrates strong organizational and prioritization skills with a sense of urgency toward goals.
• Develops and implements effective audit processes to ensure consistency and high-quality claims performance.

Analytical & Strategic Thinking

• Identifies patterns and underlying drivers within complex data sets, turning insights into actionable strategies.
• Executes strategic priorities while managing complex claims, negotiating outcomes, and overseeing team activities.
• Continuously identifies opportunities to enhance claims operations, workflows, systems integration, and organizational efficiency.

#LI-FL1 #LI-HYBRID

Additional Company DetailsWe do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting firms. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees which for this role includes: Base Salary Range: $250,000 - $275,000 The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment. Eligible to participate in the annual discretionary bonus program. Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Wellness, Paid Time Off, 401(k) and Profit-Sharing plans.