Vela Insurance Services provides specialized Excess and Surplus Lines Casualty and Professional Liability insurance solutions in the following four market segments.: Construction, Specialty Casualty, Velocity Small Business & Professional Liability. 

We offer national service and local knowledge to our exclusive wholesale broker network and the businesses they serve.

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. https://www.vela-ins.com/

This role can be located in Atlanta, GA, Scottsdale, AZ or other national locations and seeks a strong leader to supervise and direct a claims team responsible for the handling of construction defect claims. This individual will monitor conformance of claims personnel to best practices, industry and company standards, procedures, and objectives and holds responsibility and accountability for departmental results.

• With strong and developed leadership skills, provide excellent technical oversight and direction to claim professionals and other colleagues at all levels
• Work affably to build team commitment and promote a positive climate within the team
• High level of competence in construction defect coverage evaluations, rationales and positions
• Closely manage litigation and associated expense, driving early resolution where appropriate
• Act as key decision maker in determining claim values and resolution strategies
• Utilize data to identify trends, measure and advance metrics and goals
• Drive reserving sufficiency in compliance with reserve philosophy and goals
• Work closely with claim professionals on claims within and over their authority levels
• Conduct performance appraisals of direct reports, and provide professional development guidance and opportunities
• Assist claim professionals in preparing reports for and conducting discussions with various levels of management and service partners
• Contribute to profitability by supervising adherence to Best Practices to achieve optimum financial results
• Develop and maintain positive customer relationships and provide superior customer service to internal and external clients and partners
• Work collaboratively with other claim managers, teams and other departments within the company
• Prepare and present on departmental, segment and industry trends
• Stay abreast of litigation trends, challenges and changes in all jurisdictions
• Act as mentor and assist professional development of direct reports and others
• Identify procedural, technical, or personnel opportunities and/or issues
• Maintain a timely diary and activities
• Meet and maintain all state licensing requirements at all times (see qualifications below)
• Adhere to all statutory regulations, Unfair Claims Practices acts, and corporate best practices
• Regular and predictable attendance; some travel required
• Perform other duties and/or projects as assigned

• Four (4) year College Degree or equivalent industry experience
• JD preferred
• Evidence of leadership studies and trainings
• Industry designations preferred (CRIS, AIC, SCLA, etc.)
• Five (5) years of previous managerial experience preferred
• Ten (10) or more years’ claims handling experience or equivalent experience specifically to Construction Defect
• In-depth knowledge of the insurance industry, including legal and regulatory environments.
• Specific knowledge and expertise in Construction Liability, Construction Defect, General Liability and Products Liability (BI & PD) related claims required
• Ability to challenge and develop claim professionals to help them achieve their maximum potential
• Ability to manage remote / virtual teams
• Applicable adjusters license(s) to include: CA, CT, DE, FL, KY, LA, NH, NM, NC, OK, RI, SC, TX, VT, WV, WY