Surety Claims Counsel

Overview

Provides effective claims handling, serving as decision maker on the more complex contract and commercial Surety matters and multi-project defaults. Works with head of Surety claim in establishing priorities, driving change, ensuring results, and impacting employee engagement.

Maintains a solid understanding of AmTrust’s mission, vision, and values. Upholds the standards of the AmTrust organization.

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 effectuate best possible claim outcomes.
• Assist in the establishment and improvement of existing processes.
• Providing legal advice and transactional support.
• Pursue salvage and subrogation to mitigate losses and improve overall results for Surety.
• Responsible for reviewing, modifying, and preparing Takeover Agreements, Financing Agreements, Subordination Agreements, Ratification Agreements, and other applicable agreements necessary to achieve optimal results.
• Provides direction and management of outside consultants through defining clear scopes of work and the development of strategies to mitigate exposure.
• Ensures 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 and outcomes.
• Generates well-formed ideas; drives change across the business unit by partnership with other senior leaders to promote the benefits and leading implementation work streams across the organization.
• Maintains current knowledge of related laws and regulations related to the handling of Surety claims.
• Persuades and influences people by presenting a strong case; explains things clearly, challenges ideas effectively and argues in favor of own point of view.
• Ability to synthesize and draw conclusions from large amounts of data, translating the data into actions and results.
• Performs other functionally related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Law degree with an 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 Insurance industry with a focus on Surety
• Working knowledge of profit/loss management and reserving
• Demonstrated leadership to interact collaboratively and work effectively with a multi-functional team and throughout the organization; fosters an environment of shared responsibility and accountability.
• Advanced analytical skills
• Superior, demonstrated 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 to include Microsoft products.
• Proven ability to manage organizational change, to involve and influence others to accept new ideas or innovative approaches, to lead in a team-based organization.
• Embraces changes; 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.

This job description is designed to provide a general overview of the requirements of the job and does not entail a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that will be required in this position. AmTrust has the right to revise this job description at any time.

What We Offer

AmTrust Financial Services offers a competitive compensation package and excellent career advancement opportunities. Our benefits include: Medical & Dental Plans, Life Insurance, including eligible spouses & children, Health Care Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, 401k Savings Plans, Paid Time Off.

AmTrust strives to create a diverse and inclusive culture where thoughts and ideas of all employees are appreciated and respected. This concept encompasses but is not limited to human differences with regard to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, culture, religion or disabilities.

AmTrust values excellence and recognizes that by embracing the diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives of its workforce, it will sustain a competitive advantage and remain an employer of choice. Diversity is a business imperative, enabling us to attract, retain and develop the best talent available. We see diversity as more than just policies and practices. It is an integral part of who we are as a company, how we operate and how we see our future.