Rated Best Places to Work 2020, 2022 and 2024 by Business Insurance, Continental Western Group is a regional property casualty insurance company offering commercial products and services through independent agents in the Midwest. CWG provides unique value through the service provided by our experienced group of employees and independent agents. Since 1886 - Strong, Local and Trusted.

 

As a Berkley company, we enjoy operational flexibility that allows us to deliver quality coverage solutions.  W. R. Berkley Corporation, and all member insurance companies, are rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, and carry Standard & Poor’s Financial Rating of A+ (Strong).

 

This role will be based in our Urbandale, IA office.  We offer a hybrid work schedule with 4 days in the office; and 1 day remote where it makes sense to do so.

 

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. 

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As our Casualty Claims Director, you'll provide strategic direction, oversight, operational direction and overall management of the Commercial Casualty claims handling unit.  You'll assist with training and education of a high-performing team of multiple people managers.  You'll implement and monitor severity, complexity, and quality assurance standards and procedures.  We'll trust you to proactively participate with the senior claims management team in developing and executing strategic plans to meet business objectives. 

 

What you can expect:

• Culture of innovation, teamwork, supportive colleagues and leaders willing to invest in talent
• Internal mobility opportunities 
• Visibility to senior leaders and partnership with cross functional teams
• Opportunity to impact change
• Benefits – competitive compensation, paid time off, comprehensive wellness benefits and programs, employer funded health savings account, profit sharing, 401k, paid parental leave, employee stock purchase plan, tuition assistance and professional continuing education 

We'll count on you to:

 

Coach and Motivate People

• Attracts, coaches, and develops talent within the claim unit.
• Provides frequent and specific constructive feedback to staff.
• Provides technical advice, direction, and mentoring to Claims staff.
• Facilitates the development and use of individual development plans to ensure ongoing professional development.
• Develops, implements, and delivers strategic training for Claims staff.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities including interviewing, hiring, training, appraising performance, rewarding, and disciplining employees.

Build Effective Teams

• Directly manages a staff of claims supervisors/managers, advisors, and/or specialists.
• Develops and implements effective claims management policies, procedures, and organizational structure.
• Promotes the importance of outstanding customer service to internal and external customers.
• Leads or participates in claims projects at the company level and with other W. R. Berkley Corporation companies.

Manage Change

• Provides strategic direction and leadership for the claim unit.
• Develops, plans, and implements strategic and tactical claims operational improvements.
• Drives change to assure continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with cross-functional leaders to implement strategies that improve results and contribute to business segment goals.

Drive Productivity

• Monitors and analyzes organizational performance using key performance metrics.
• Implements, monitors, and maintains quality assurance in claims via the audit process.
• Leverages management information to enhance team performance and identify trends.
• Drives performance at all levels, holding team members accountable for meeting performance metrics and objectives.
• Implements, monitors, and maintains effective and efficient cost containment programs.
• Ensures claims handling practices comply with all state statutes and regulatory/legal requirements.

Business Acumen

• Monitors high-severity, complex, and/or litigated claims; makes reserve and settlement decisions for cases exceeding staff authority.
• Collaborates with senior claims management to optimize workflows and maximize results.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

What you need to have:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in casualty claims; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Successful history overseeing high severity and complex coverage casualty claims 
• Successful history of leading people and influencing others to achieve results
• Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to recognize, analyze and improve claims performance situations such as loss control, LAE, customer satisfaction, employee development and engagement
• Effective listening, verbal, and written communication skills with ability to communicate across all levels of the enterprise
• Strong customer orientation
• Ability to travel and work outside normal work schedule to fulfill responsibilities.  Position may involve managing a geographically diverse team and require travel to regional offices
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook

What makes you stand out:

• Ability and passion for talent development
• Adjusts rapidly to changing situations in order to respond to a changing business environment or priorities
• Effective organizational, multi-tasking and prioritizing skills
• Excellent critical thinking, problem analysis, and problem resolution skills at both a strategic and functional level

We do not accept any unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies or firms.

The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees.

The actual salary for this position will be determined by a number of factors, including the scope, complexity and location of the role; the skills, education, training, credentials and experience of the candidate; and other conditions of employment.