Surety Claims Counsel

About the role

Provides effective claims handling, serving as decision maker on complex contract and commercial Surety matters and multi-project defaults. Works with the head of Surety claims to establish priorities, drive change, ensure results, and impact employee engagement. Maintains a solid understanding of AmTrust’s mission, vision, and values while upholding the organization’s standards.

Responsibilities

• Independently investigate, research, analyze, and process complex claims on contract and commercial surety bonds in multiple jurisdictions in a timely, thorough, and professional manner.
• Assist in the creation or modification of surety claim and/or underwriting forms, letters, and other documents as requested.
• Direct, monitor, and assist outside counsel in negotiating and resolving claims to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Assist in the establishment and improvement of existing processes.
• Provide legal advice and transactional support.
• Pursue salvage and subrogation to mitigate losses and improve overall results for Surety.
• Review, modify, and prepare Takeover Agreements, Financing Agreements, Subordination Agreements, Ratification Agreements, and other applicable agreements to achieve optimal results.
• Provide direction and management of outside consultants by defining clear scopes of work and developing strategies to mitigate exposure.
• Ensure claims are investigated, negotiated, and resolved in a proactive, cost-effective, and creative manner.
• Provide education and training to surety underwriting and other selected company staff on key legal issues involving surety bonds and claims, including “lessons learned” from past surety claim experiences.
• Drive change across the business unit by partnering with senior leaders to promote benefits and lead implementation work streams.
• Maintain current knowledge of related laws and regulations for handling Surety claims.
• Persuade and influence people by presenting a strong case, explaining ideas clearly, challenging ideas effectively, and arguing in favor of own point of view.
• Synthesize and draw conclusions from large amounts of data, translating data into actions and results.
• Perform other functionally related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Law degree; undergraduate degree in Engineering, Accounting, Business, or Finance preferred.
• Properly licensed to handle surety claims within the U.S.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in the Insurance industry with a focus on Surety.
• Working knowledge of profit/loss management and reserving.
• Demonstrated leadership to interact collaboratively and work effectively with multi-functional teams and throughout the organization; fosters an environment of shared responsibility and accountability.
• Advanced analytical skills and superior claim resolution skills, including critical thinking and business acumen.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to prepare presentation documents and present to senior leadership.
• Experience with Claims management systems and advanced computer skills, including Microsoft products.
• Proven ability to manage organizational change, involve and influence others to accept new ideas or innovative approaches, and lead in a team-based organization.
• Embraces change, invites feedback related to performance, and deals constructively with criticism.
• Demonstrated drive and ambition to achieve goals and outstanding results.
• Emotionally intelligent and self-aware.

Benefits

• Medical & Dental Plans
• Life Insurance (including eligible spouses & children)
• Health Care Flexible Spending
• Dependent Care
• 401k Savings Plans
• Paid Time Off

AmTrust values excellence and recognizes that embracing diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives sustains a competitive advantage and remains an employer of choice.