Head of Claims

Job Description:

The Senior Manager, Claims & Risk Management leads HITT's enterprise claims function across all property and casualty lines for HITT Contracting and its affiliated operating companies. This role is responsible for enterprise claims strategy, portfolio performance, reserve adequacy, litigation oversight, and total cost of risk while leading the claims organization and partnering with executive leadership on risk financing and insurance program strategy.

The Senior Manager establishes claim handling standards, authority levels, and escalation protocols while overseeing internal claims staff, carriers, third-party administrators, and defense counsel. This role also partners with Finance and actuarial resources on reserving, loss forecasting, captive insurance reporting, and renewal strategy.

As the organization's senior claims advisor, the Senior Manager provides strategic guidance on complex claims, insured litigation, and coverage matters, translating technical concepts into practical business recommendations for operations and executive leadership.

SCOPE

• Enterprise ownership of claims across HITT Contracting and affiliated companies
• Lead and develop the enterprise claims organization
• Oversee all property and casualty claims, including OCIP/CCIP programs
• Exercise reserve and settlement authority within delegated limits
• Manage performance of carriers, TPAs, defense counsel, and claims consultants

RESPONSIBILITIES

Claims Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the enterprise claims strategy aligned with the Insurance & Risk Management plan and business objectives.
• Establish claims governance, including SOPs, authority levels, escalation protocols, and performance standards across all lines of coverage.
• Lead and develop the claims team members including workload planning, growth, and capability.
• Drive process, technology, and operational improvements to improve efficiency, consistency, and outcomes.

Claims Management & Financial Stewardship

• Oversee claim strategy, resolution, reserving, and loss development across the enterprise portfolio.
• Partner with carriers, TPAs, brokers, and internal stakeholders to improve severity, cycle time, closure rates, and litigation outcomes.
• Support captive insurance programs through claims analytics, reserve oversight, funding recommendations, and executive reporting.
• Provide insights to inform retention, deductible, renewal, and risk financing decisions.
• Manage claims-related expenses, including TPA fees, allocated expenses, and legal spend.

Litigation & High-Exposure Claims

• Lead insured litigation strategy, including panel counsel management, budgets, guidelines, and performance oversight.
• Direct resolution strategy for complex, catastrophic, and reputationally-sensitive matters.
• Provide expertise in New York Labor Law matters, including oversight of defense counsel, consultants, and insurers.
• Coordinate cross-functional response with Legal, Safety, Operations, and executive leadership.

Program & Recovery Management

• Oversee OCIP/CCIP claims, tender strategy, contractual risk transfer, additional insured issues, and recovery opportunities.
• Partner with Safety, HR, and Benefits on workers' compensation strategy, return-to-work programs, and claim closure discipline.
• Provide quarterly forecasts on claims expenditures and recoveries
• Drive improvements in experience modification outcomes across operating entities.

Analytics, Reporting & Risk Culture

• Own claims reporting, KPIs, analytics, and executive insights related to trends, exposures, and projected outcomes.
• Define strategy for claims technology and risk management information systems.
• Promote risk awareness through education, communications, and training initiatives, including HITT University.
• Partner with Safety to translate loss trends into prevention strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, Economics, Safety, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience accepted.
• 12+ years of multi-line commercial claims experience, including at least 5 years in leadership.
• Experience with large deductible, self-insured, captive, and OCIP/CCIP insurance programs.
• Multi-jurisdictional claims expertise, including New York Labor Law.
• Experience in the construction (AEC) industry or commercial real estate preferred.
• Expertise in insurance coverage, reserving, litigation management, and total cost of risk.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional communication, analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis, Microsoft Excel, and translating complex information into business recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and travel as needed.
• Professional designations (CPCU, AIC, ARM, CRM, CRIS, P&C License) and/or advanced degrees (JD, MBA, LLM, MS-RMI) preferred.

In accordance with Virginia Senate Bill 215 (SB 215), the base salary range for this position is:

$115,000.00 - $165,000.00

Compensation in other cities and states may vary. HITT Contracting offers a competitive total benefits and compensation package including performance-based bonuses, premium health care coverage including vision and dental, employer-matched 401(k), wellness reimbursement program, paid holidays and time-off, and other voluntary benefits and leave types. The determination of salary is based on the candidate's individual professional experience, qualifications, education, skills, and training.