General Liability Claims Manager

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage and resolve all third-party general liability claims of the Company, evaluating liability and independently settling claims within position authority (up to $25k authority)
• For GL claims above prescribed authority, independently prepare claim resolution strategy and present to key stakeholders for settlement authority (to include Director Risk Management, VP Audit & Compliance, VP Legal, Chief Financial Officer and EVP General Counsel)
• Lead the development of GL national defense counsel litigation guidelines and directly manage defense counsel performance across multijurisdictional liability claims portfolio, to properly manage legal expenses while consistently executing sound claim disposition strategies
• RFP and strategically source external legal firms across all jurisdictions (as necessary) and third party claims administrator (as necessary)
• Create strategic key performance indicators (KPI) with third party TPA and law firms and monitor compliance
• Evaluate and implement strategic claims cost reduction programs (as needed)
• Supervise third party administration (TPA) GL claim unit handling procedures and results, including investigations, discovery work, deposition preparation, and general administration and coordination with outside defense counsel firms and other involved parties, as required
• Supervise TPA and GL defense counsel negotiations, litigation management, and act as company representative in GL mediations and mandatory settlement conferences across all jurisdictions in which the company operates
• Ensure timely and accurate evaluation and approval (up to authority) of GL claim reserves
• Manage and maintain GL claim file integrity through proper documentation, and organization
• Provide responsive information to internal and external inquiries in a timely and accurate manner
• Prepare and lead comprehensive claim review meetings with internal and external stakeholders, covering overall GL environment and individual claim strategies (as needed)
• Maintain knowledge of new and existing regulations, case law and court decisions, which could affect claims handling procedures and resolution strategies
• Act as a key liaison with club and above club field management in evaluating and responding to club level GL incidents occurring on company premises, and during management of open GL claims, as needed.

Loss Trending and Analysis

• Responsible for monthly management reporting of GL claims and litigation including trending analysis of frequency and severity
• Assist in actuarial process and conduct analysis for monthly changes in GL claim reserves & paid claim development
• Based on analysis of GL incident and claim frequency / severity trends, propose and assist in implementing risk mitigation efforts to mitigate reoccurrence and loss (i.e. changes to policies, procedures and employee training)
• Play a leading role in enhancing systems and processes, to support more proactive claim resolution strategies and decisions, in addition to improved reserve forecasting capabilities (working with Risk Management System vendor, TPA and/or 3rd party consultants)

Additional Duties & Responsibilities

• Participate in safety meetings related to premises / general liability claims, providing input and strategic alternatives to control overall cost profile (meetings may include Risk Management department and cross-functional departments)
• Attend and participate in internal and external continuing education related to liability insurance coverage, litigation management, regulatory reporting requirements, etc.

Organizational Relationships

• This position interacts with club, field level management and various corporate departments to include Legal, Club Operations, Facilities, Loss Prevention and Internal Audit
• This position has direct interface to all levels of the organization, both within the Field and at Corporate

Required Qualifications

• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Ability to adjust to shifting priorities without significant loss in productivity, Self-starter who takes initiative to solve problems within his/her own authority, Ability to work effectively with law firms and third party administrators, Must possess a high degree of organizational skills, Strong business analytical and documentation skills, Excellent verbal and written communications skills, Strong computer skills, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, Knowledge and ability to use Risk Management Information Systems (RMIS), Ability to communicate clearly and convey information in an organized, credible and concise fashion, Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain working relationships at all levels of the organization, Capable of performing duties in both an independent and team setting, Demonstrates high commitment to group goals, Regularly acts to promote positive and productive working climate, Basic understanding of actuarial reserving methods and reporting
• Minimum Educational Level/Certifications: Bachelor's degree in risk management, business or other related field
• Minimum Work Experience And Qualifications: 7+ years of commercial general liability claims experience with an Insurance Carrier, TPA or Corporate Claims Department. Total experience shall include at least 2 years in a role responsible for directly managing GL claim adjusters

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Exposure to all insurance lines, Educational Level/Certifications: Industry Specific Certifications and/or completion of courses, Work Experience And Qualifications: Experience in retail or fitness industry