AVP - Major Claims Leader
About the role
The AVP, Major Claims Leader oversees a diverse portfolio of complex claims including products liability, class actions, coverage litigation, construction defect claims, excess and surplus lines, general liability, and commercial auto litigation. Reporting to the VP of Corporate Technical Claims, this role provides executive-level guidance on claim strategy, reserving, litigation management, risk transfer, and resolution of high-severity matters.
Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and develop highly technical claims managers and specialists handling complex construction defect, excess & surplus, and casualty matters.
- Promote workforce planning, succession development, and continuous professional growth across teams.
- Oversee quality review and collaborate with to ensure continuous improvement in claim handling and decision-making.
- Provide expert-level guidance on coverage interpretation, policy analysis, contractual risk transfer (indemnity and additional insured), and excess exposure evaluation.
- Direct complex litigation management, ensuring alignment with best practices, cost containment strategies, and risk appetite.
- Leverage data analytics to manage team capacity and operational effectiveness.
- Prepare and present high-profile, complex executive summaries, loss analyses, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or J.D. preferred.
- Professional designations such as CPCU, AIC, SCLA, CCLA, PCLA, or similar strongly preferred or willingness to obtain.
- Must meet applicable state licensing requirements for handling multi-line commercial claims.
- 10+ years of experience handling or overseeing high-exposure, complex commercial P&C claims, including construction defect, casualty, or excess lines.
- 7+ years of progressive leadership or management experience.
- Demonstrated success managing complex litigation, coverage disputes, and large-loss resolution.
- Experience with complex GL/CA litigation, construction defect, excess and surplus, class actions, product liability and coverage litigation.
Qualifications
- Advanced technical expertise in coverage analysis, liability and damages evaluation, and complex litigation management.
- Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to lead leaders and influence across functions.
- High ethical standards, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and written.
- Ability to lead a team of 4+ direct reports; 20+ indirect reports efficiently.
- Data driven decision making.
- Willingness to learn additional lines of business as Underwriting expands portfolio.
- Ability to efficiently manage both a unit budget and company finances.
Skills
- Advanced technical expertise in coverage analysis, liability and damages evaluation, and complex litigation management.
- Proven leadership and people management skills, with the ability to lead leaders and influence across functions.
- High ethical standards, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and written.
- Ability to lead a team of 4+ direct reports; 20+ indirect reports efficiently.
- Data driven decision making.
- Willingness to learn additional lines of business as Underwriting expands portfolio.
- Ability to efficiently manage both a unit budget and company finances.
Benefits
Comprehensive total rewards package that includes: Annual incentive compensation, Medical, dental, vision & life insurance, Accident, critical illness & short-term disability insurance, Retirement plans with employer contributions, Generous time-off program, Programs designed to support the employee well-being and financial security.
Pay
The estimated base salary range for this officer-level position is $154,858 - $204,236 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the scope and responsibilities of the role, individual qualifications and experience, internal equity, and market data.