Claims Examiner Manager

Champlain Insurance Group is a fast-growing, specialty, surplus and excess lines insurance enterprise. Through our affiliates—Champlain Specialty Insurance Company, WestCongress Insurance Services LLC, and WestCongress Risk Services LLC—we offer primary and excess general liability insurance solutions and claims administration throughout the United States.

About the role

The Claim Manager is responsible for the oversight, management, and technical direction of a team of approximately five casualty claim professionals handling complex commercial general liability claims within a surplus lines environment. This role provides leadership, claim oversight, operational management, and technical guidance for litigated and non-litigated casualty losses involving artisan contractors, habitational risks, security guard exposures, premises liability, products liability, and other specialty casualty accounts. The position ensures timely, effective, and consistent claim handling in accordance with company guidelines, coverage positions, reserving philosophy, regulatory requirements, and litigation management strategies while driving strong financial and operational outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and mentor a team of approximately five casualty claims adjusters.
• Conduct regular file reviews to ensure quality, technical accuracy, compliance, and adherence to best practices.
• Monitor individual and team performance against established KPIs, including:
  • Timely contact
  • Coverage analysis
  • Reserve adequacy
  • Litigation management
  • Diary management
  • Cycle time
  • Customer service standards
• Provide coaching, technical training, and professional development opportunities.
• Assist with workload balancing, staffing recommendations, and succession planning.
• Support a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance claim culture.

Requirements

• 7+ years of commercial casualty claim handling experience.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• Strong background in surplus lines and specialty casualty claims.
• Experience handling or supervising litigated CGL claims involving:
  • Artisan contractors
  • Construction defect
  • Security guard accounts
  • High-exposure casualty matters
• Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent industry experience.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of:
  • Commercial General Liability coverage
  • ISO forms and endorsements
  • Surplus lines claim handling
  • Coverage litigation
  • Construction defect exposures
  • Risk transfer and contractual indemnity
• Excellent litigation management and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and reserving capabilities.
• Familiarity with claim management systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to interpret contracts, policy language, and legal pleadings.

Opportunity for Advancement

For the successful candidate that demonstrates the aptitude and a desire to learn and advance, this position may offer opportunities for advancement to positions of increasing responsibility and authority within the insurance underwriting aspect of our business.