Assistant Vice President, Professional Liability Claims

Job Description

Ascot Group is a preeminent specialty risk underwriting organization. This is an opportunity to join a modern‑era company operating through an ecosystem of interconnected global operating platforms, bound by the mission:
One Ascot. Our strength lies in a talented team that flourishes in a collaborative, inclusive, and entrepreneurial culture, steeped in underwriting excellence, integrity, and a passion to find a better way – The Ascot Way.

The Ascot Way guides our people and organization. Our underwriting platforms collaborate to find creative ways to deploy our capital in a true cross‑product and cross‑platform approach. These platforms work as one, deploying our capital creatively through our unique Fusion Model:
Client‑Centric, Risk‑Centric, Technology‑Centric.

Built to be resilient, Ascot maximizes client financial security while delivering bespoke products and world‑class service – both pre‑ and post‑claims. Ascot exists to solve for our clients’ brightest tomorrow through agility, collaboration, resilience, and discipline.

Ascot is embedding artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across the organization to enhance decision making, efficiency, and quality of outcomes. In this role you will be expected to work confidently alongside AI‑enabled tools, apply sound judgment when interpreting insights, and adapt as technology evolves. We value curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to embrace change.

Senior Claims Counsel, Professional Liability – Financial Lines Claims team. The Senior Claims Counsel conducts thorough investigations, analysis, evaluation and disposition of claims and claim litigation. The successful candidate will achieve superior customer service, optimize claim results and work closely with internal business partners to provide legal advice as needed and participate in our Financial Lines Claim strategic initiatives.

• Manage a caseload of primary and excess Lawyer, Real Estate, and Miscellaneous Professional Liability claims of varying severity with moderate supervision. Duties include analyzing loss notices, drafting coverage correspondences, appointing and managing counsel, establishing reserves, negotiating and resolving claims, and maintaining comprehensive claim files. Prepare and present reports that accurately reflect loss development, potential/actual financial exposure, reserve adjustments, coverage issues, and claim and recovery strategies.
• Collaborate with underwriting on significant claim exposures.
• Work closely with internal and external business partners such as retail and wholesale brokers, insureds and their counsel to resolve claims.
• Maintain knowledge of professional liability trends and provide feedback to claims and underwriting teams.
• Monitor marketplace conditions, conduct research, and draft reference materials to inform claim and underwriting colleagues on law impacting Ascot’s underwriting and claim decisions.
• Obtain and maintain required adjusters’ licenses.
• Travel to attend mediations, industry conferences, settlement & claim conferences, trials, depositions and assist with Ascot’s marketing efforts.
• Commit to The Ascot Way: embody The Ascot Way in daily interactions with colleagues, fostering engagement, development, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability.

• J.D. or related field of study.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant legal or claim handling experience, ideally in the handling of professional liability claims, at an insurance carrier or in private practice.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work through conflict and resolve issues with a professional demeanor.
• Ability to make sound decisions and negotiate terms and conditions within a designated authority limit.
• Time‑management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities with attention to detail, work in a fast‑paced environment and prioritize projects and assignments for multiple internal clients.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate coverage determinations.
• Ability to build and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with colleagues, customers, and business…