Catastrophe Claims Manager

Position Summary:

The Catastrophe Claims Manager is responsible for the Company’s catastrophe operations and will be accountable for the strategic and tactical operations of the Catastrophe Unit, while maintaining appropriate consistency across our entire claims operation.

The Catastrophe Claims Manager will review and approve claims files exceeding settlement authority of staff, independent adjusters and supervisors. S/he will oversee, lead and coordinate catastrophe personnel (in-house and field), to include management of all staff administrative functions, processes, procedures, contract agreements, independent fee bill reviews, performance, safety, training, logistics, file assignments and quality assurance standards.

This is an in-office position, located in our Palm Beach Gardens office; however, travel throughout Florida may be required in response to catastrophic weather events, including overnight and weekends, as needed.

Job Description:

• Work with the Director of Claims to develop and implement processes and procedures for catastrophe response.
• Responsible for continuous development and maintenance of Catastrophe Plan and Catastrophe Business Continuity Plan.
• Develop and create catastrophe claim training and administer training to staff and vendors annually.
• Develop and maintain vendor relationships and annual contracts with adjusting firms.
• Integrate with other operational units as needed during periods of CAT inactivity.
•  Develop and implement key policies and procedures to support successful file closure rate during catastrophe/weather events. This includes building and maintaining quality programs to support company business objectives and the dedication of quality claims service.
• Maintain a high level of interdepartmental communication to handle logistics and operational issues to include Human Resources, Underwriting, Information Technology, Finance and Marketing.
• Ensure statutory and regulatory compliance in all claim core processes.

• Provide liaison services to assist sales/marketing with agents before and/or after catastrophic weather events.
• Provide direction, approval and assistance in handling of catastrophe claims including: large loss, mediation, appraisal, represented claims, complex negotiations.
• Responsible for vendor management by working with independent adjusters to ensure thorough property inspections, detailed estimate reports, audit reviews and includes handling timely and accurate invoice reconciliation.
• Establish goals and metrics to obtain superior performance.
• Serve as catastrophe claim training, workflow and process subject matter expert for the claims group and assist in cross departmental projects and initiatives.
• Conduct Quality Assurance reviews as requested and provide reports and feedback for improvement.
• Respond to inquiries from various state or consumer-advocate entities.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of client, company and personnel information.
• Lead and manage by example to promote culture of service and continuous improvement and to achieve key business goals.
• Assign accountability for desired outcomes and hold adjusters to required dates.
• Communicate clearly and provide adequate direction.
• Must be available 24X7 for potential emergency claims.
• Other miscellaneous duties as assigned, which will include travel.

Education/Experience:

• Preferred Bachelor's degree in related area or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 10+ years of claims leadership experience and a mix of claims homeowner and field assignments with experience in large Catastrophe responses
• Florida first-party property claims (both catastrophe and daily claims experience required), including three to five years of Florida first-party property claim management experience with oversight of both staff and independent adjusters
• Large Loss experience to work alongside the Director of Claims and Process Manager on appropriate operational response and resource placement.
• Experience in the handling, oversight and supervisory/management of Large Loss Catastrophe claims with an emphasis on Fire and Wind perils.
• Must have a valid driver's license with insurable driving record.
• Florida 620 license required

Skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Florida property law and regulation
• Mastery-level negotiation and communication skills
• Ability to create, compose and edit written materials.
• Strong aptitude for working with numbers, including knowledge of basic statistical concepts while effectively analyzing outcomes and writing concise and accurate reports and proposals.
• In the event of a catastrophe event, capacity to work overtime and/or undesirable hours with little or no notice as well as the ability to travel on short notice for an extended period of time.
• Ability to translate vision and strategy into actionable plans and operate as a change manager to achieve outcomes.
• Intermediate level PC and software applications and capabilities to include experience using claims computerized estimating programs (e.g., Xactanalysis, Xactimate).
• Requires some travel including overnight and weekends as needed.
• Willingness to work flexible hours.  
• Advanced ability to work independently.
• Advanced level of organization and time management skills.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other protected status under local, state or federal law.