Claims Director - Professional Liability

The position is responsible for maintaining active oversight of open claims and/or incident reports, driving regular communication with carrier claims departments and adjusters, and ensuring significant claim developments are promptly communicated to Negley management and underwriting personnel. The position is expected to dig into open files, challenge claim handling when appropriate, identify issues requiring escalation, and maintain continuous visibility into claim status, litigation strategy, reserves, settlement activity, coverage concerns, and emerging loss trends.

Also serves as Negley's primary claims liaison with carrier partners, brokers, insureds, defense counsel, and other stakeholders. The role ensures claims intelligence is consistently translated into stronger underwriting decisions, improved account management, better service, and enhanced long-term portfolio performance.
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* KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

** Following is a summary of the essential functions for this job.  Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below.  Specific activities may change from time to time.
• Develop and implement strategic plans and policies for claims operations to ensure compliance and efficiency.

• Provide leadership and guidance to claims managers and teams, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.

• Oversee complex claims cases and ensure resolution aligns with company standards and regulatory requirements.

• Monitor claims metrics to identify trends, assess performance, and recommend process improvements.

• Collaborate with underwriting and risk management teams to align claims handling with organizational objectives.

• Manage department budgets, resources, and staffing to optimize operational effectiveness.

• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations governing claims practices.

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including reinsurers, legal teams, and external vendors.
** EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
** The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Insurance, or related field.

• Demonstrated experience with professional liability, general liability, or other specialty liability claims.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a claims management capacity.
• Proven track record of implementing strategic initiatives and process improvements in claims operations.
** PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS*
* • Experience with behavioral healthcare, healthcare liability, human services, or other specialty casualty risks.
• Knowledge of professional liability, general liability, directors and officers liability, sexual misconduct liability, and related specialty coverages.
** FUNCTIONAL SKILLS*
* • Strong understanding of insurance coverage, litigation management, reserving, settlement strategy, defense counsel oversight, and claims operations.
• Experience working with insurance carrier claims departments, adjusters, brokers, insureds, and senior management.
• Proven ability to analyze claim information, identify material issues, drive follow-up, and communicate implications to underwriting and executive leadership.
• Strong leadership, judgment, negotiation, analytical, organizational, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic thinking with a focus on operational efficiency and risk management.

The annual base salary for this position is $140,000 - $200,000.Additional incentive pay is available for this position.