VP Sr. Claims Counsel

We’re thrilled that you are interested in joining us here at the Amynta Group!

To assist Ambridge Insurers in the effective adjustment of claims notified under Ambridge Directors & Officers policies, and in particular utilizing legal knowledge, experience, and expertise – either through direct handling of assigned claims or by serving as a resource for other Ambridge Claims Counsel in their handling of D&O claims. This position will also serve as a resource for the Ambridge D&O underwriters, including but not limited to providing guidance on coverage issues, reviewing and drafting policy endorsements. This position will manage the growing D&O claims team and  work in collaboration with Ambridge Claims Leadership to ensure that D&O claims are appropriately identified, assigned, and handled to resolution.

Interact with clients on claims issues when appropriate, and effectively liaising with underwriters, brokers, and third parties in the adjustment of claims in line with company strategy as well as all applicable regulatory and legal requirements.

Principal Accountabilities:

Technical Claims Handling                                      

• Receive, review and open claim notification file on newly assigned notifications.
• Conduct time sensitive analysis of the notice in conjunction with a comprehensive review of the Policy, the underwriting file.
• Liaise with Managing Director, Chief Underwriting Officer and Chief Legal Officer to disseminate initial view on the relative merits of the notification to assure an understanding of the underwriting intent and scope of coverage provided.
• Prepare Claims Notice Summaries, draft reservation of rights letters and claims analysis charts.
• Proofread thoroughly and liaise with applicable responsible parties for feedback on draft Reservation of Rights and Claim Summary memoranda.
• Liaise with Insurers and their advisors in the event of claim dispute to facilitate transfer of information in accordance with applicable agreements (including binding authorities and non-disclosure agreements).
• Responsible for facilitating compliance and regulatory tasks to ensure claim positions comply with external rules, requirements, as well as policy and internal best practice guidelines.
• Assist fellow staff counsel and senior underwriting in managing the daily workflow by advancing and monitoring claims underwriting and assisting with research and analysis of policy claims.
• Maintain a working knowledge of Ambridge Partners’ insurance consortium members, products, per-risk capacity and endeavour to establish personal relationships with the responsible claims executives of each.
• Adhere to Ambridge Claims Guidelines and Lloyd’s Minimum Standards for Claims Management.
• Help Insurers ensure claims are handled in accordance with local law/jurisdiction and Binding Authority Agreement terms.
• Ensure strong working knowledge of Ambridge policy forms and understand underwriting intent.
• Adequately help Insurers gather and analyse sufficient information to make an appropriate liability decision.
• Help Insurers ensure that potential recoveries from third parties are investigated and pursued.
• Help Insurers ensure that documentation is consistently contained in the file and adequately supports analysis.

Internal Resource

• Serve as a resource for team members by providing input or making recommendations on specific claims, renewal of risks.
• Serve as an authority referral resource for team members (as appropriate based on approved claims authority).

Collaboration with Underwriters

• Develop an understanding of market and underwriting strategies for each   underwriting team.
• Provide feedback to underwriting on claims trends, development and impact on their book.
• Suggest product/contract wording changes to avoid future losses based on prior experience.

        Continuous Learning

• Participate in Peer Reviews as both a reviewer and reviewee.
• Maintain up to date expertise in claim handling, by amongst other things, reviewing recent case law, attending seminars, and keeping abreast of any regulatory developments.
• Participate, as needed, in interviewing, hiring, training, and development of additional staff.

Regulatory Conduct Rules

1.  Act with integrity.

2.  Act with due skill, care and diligence.

3.  Be open and co-operative with ELANY, NY DFS, Lloyd’s and other regulators.

4.  Pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly.

5.  Observe proper standards of market conduct.

Education, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• 4-year college degree.
• Juris Doctor degree.
• 5 – 10 years of D&O claims adjusting experience.
• At least 5 years of litigation management experience including: selection and direction of defense counsel, attendance at settlement conferences, mediations, arbitrations, and trials.
• Insurance industry knowledge and experience, focusing on advising on claims and underwriting matters preferred.
• Ability to find practical and commercial solutions to legal issues.
• Ability to adapt to changing demands and to learn and develop new skills and areas of expertise.
• A commitment to continuous personal and professional development.
• Knowledge and understanding of D&O product features, benefits, exclusions and warranties and application to various situations preferred.
• Understandings of the legal principles giving rise to subrogation.
• Basic knowledge of principles of risk management.
• Effective prioritization and organizational skills in order to meet timescales.
• Advanced literacy and numeric skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and writing skills.
• Advanced IT skills, including Microsoft Office with the ability to learn new systems.
• Excellent persuasion, influencing and negotiation skills.

The Amynta Group (the “Company”) is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of any ground of discrimination protected by applicable human rights legislation. The information collected is solely used to determine suitability for employment, verify identity and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process in accordance with applicable human rights and accessibility legislation. A reasonable accommodation is an adjustment to processes, procedures, methods of conveying information and/or the physical environment, which may include the provision of additional support, in order to remove barriers a candidate may face during recruitment such that each candidate has an equal employment opportunity. The Company will accommodate a candidate to the point of undue hardship. Please inform the Company's personnel representative if you require any accommodation in the application process.