Director, Claims Litigation

About the role

This position is responsible for the development and execution of short- and long-term plans to evaluate, mitigate, and efficiently control general and auto liability claims expense. The Claims Director partners with internal and external stakeholders to identify, measure, and manage claims, including development and implementation of risk control and mitigation solutions within business operations. This role develops and executes litigation claim management strategies to reduce self-funded loss costs and manages a team of internal and external claims professionals handling a high-volume portfolio of open-litigated liability claims. The Director drives measurable reductions in claim expense and total cost of risk while building solid relationships with clients, vendors, and industry groups to ensure a “Best in Class” claims process.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex litigated general liability, auto liability, and other claims to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
• Partner with internal business partners to develop case strategies.
• Work with external partners such as Third Party Administrator (TPA) claims examiners, outside counsel, and investigators on liability matters.
• Assist in the development and review of panel counsel network and monitor/evaluate the performance of defense firms.
• Manage litigation budgets, evaluate case reserves, and advise on adjustments where necessary.
• Work with legal spend management vendors to review and approve firm enrollment, attorney rates, timekeepers, and requests for exceptions, experts, travel, and other significant expenses.
• Provide approval authority to TPA representatives for settlement of cases and approve increases in case reserves up to assigned authority levels.
• Provide insurance underwriters with updates on high severity cases.
• Review and update discovery library; attend claim mediations and trials as needed.
• Initiate audits and file reviews at TPA and defense counsel firms, assess performance, and implement target goals for improvement.
• Conduct analysis of claims data to facilitate decisions on liability claims program structure, staffing, program adjustments, and use of additional resources.
• Ensure insurance coverage positions on claims are consistent with policy language and contracts.
• Partner with Dollar Tree insurance carrier claim executives on strategy, counsel evaluation, reserve adequacy, and ensure carriers are notified on high severity claims.
• Manage high severity incident response protocol and utilize tools to manage tender, subrogation, and recovery processes.
• Coordinate and set procedures for the preservation of data for legal holds associated with claims, litigation, and investigations.
• Coordinate claims reduction strategies with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Conduct financial analyses of claim metrics to evaluate trends in program costs, losses, and the effectiveness of process improvement initiatives.
• Report claims updates, metrics, and costs to internal stakeholders.
• Stay current with key changes in the legal and regulatory environment.
• Handle special projects assigned by the Vice President of Risk Management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or Law Degree.
• 10+ years of multi-state liability experience (complex, litigated cases) with law firms, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, or insurance brokers.
• Litigated liability claims experience.
• Strong analytical skills related to investigations, claims strategies, and claim reviews.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to handle difficult situations.
• Proactive and collaborative mindset with the ability to work in a fast-paced team environment, handling multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, medical treatment protocols, and legal proceedings.
• Ability to travel with short notice.

Desired Qualifications

• Professional Insurance Designation (e.g., SCLA, ARM, CPCU).
• Experience working in a corporate risk management department.
• Retail experience.
• Risk management experience, background, and/or education.
• Intermediate technology skills related to Excel, queries, and insurance company risk management information systems.

Pay

Start rate: $150,000 to $171,500 based on experience, plus a 25% bonus and equity.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, & Vision insurance.
• Flexible spending account.
• Life and disability insurance benefits.
• 401k plan.
• Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays annually.
• Employee stock purchase plan.