Chief Claims Officer, Argo Group

Company

Argo Group

Argo Group is an underwriter of specialty insurance products in the property and casualty market. Argo offers a full line of products and services designed to meet the unique coverage and claims-handling needs of businesses. The Argo entities are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Clearbrook Group Holdings Inc.

Job Description

Business Title(s):   Chief Claims Officer, Argo Group  

Employment Type:   Full-Time  

FLSA Status : Exempt  

Location : In-Office  
 

Summary:  

The   Chief   Claim s   Officer , Argo Group   reports directly to the Chief   Claims   Officer ,   Clearbrook   located in New York City and   manages the entire Claims   function for Argo .   As a member of the executive   management   team, the Chief Claims Officer , Argo   Group   is responsible for   the overall strategic direction, executive   leadership,   and management of all the Argo Group’s claims operations .   This includes   Cas ualty ,   Operations, Property,   Reinsurance ,   Surety,   and Workers’ Compensation   Claims.   The position manages   fi ve   direct reports and   approximately   150   indirect reports .    The Chief Claims Officer , Argo Group   collaborates   with the other Argo   Group   executives in   Underwriting , Actuarial, Finance , Risk, and Legal   formulating both strategic plans and policy to meet group profitability and growth   objectives .  

The Chief Claims Officer , Argo Group   provides claim leadership and direction to the Senior Management of   all   the Argo Group claims operations with a focus on supporting the consistent execution of claims functions and maintenance of operational excellence.  

This position can be based in any of the following locations: Chicago, IL,   Los Angeles, CA,   New York City, NY, Omaha, NE,   or   Richmond, V A .  

This is a 100% in-office position. Candidates must be able to work on-site at a designated company office during standard business hours. 
 

Essential Responsibilities :  

• Partners with key Argo Group executives to develop strategic and operational plans aimed at achieving both growth and profitability targets. Works collaboratively with representatives of the corporate actuarial team.  

• Strategically manages teams led by People Managers to provide customers and partners with strong claims service and technical capabilities .   This includes sophisticated coverage analysis,   timely   claims resolution, and strong negotiation of settlements.  

• Leads,   directs,   and has leadership accountability for   establishing   claims and that there are performance   objectives   and performance metrics in place at all organizational levels to both support and meet set   objectives .  

• Drives continuous improvement through initiatives involving   the employees ,   processes,   and technology .  

• Identifies   and implements claims best practices in all operating units for proper and consistent claims   performance  to   include management responsibility for claims compliance (OFAC, Medicare Reporting, Adjuster Licensing, SOX etc.) and achieving the   appropriate financial   outcomes .  

• Effectuates claims resolution and process improvement while maximizing cost effectiveness and educating the business managers/leaders as to claims drivers and trends.  

• Ability to   establish   working relationships with a variety of types of claims vendors and to negotiate the vendor contracts   to   maximize the financial benefit to Argo Group and its customers.  

• Expertise   in claims litigation management .   Must have a proven   track record   of successful outcomes in this regard and be able to   establish   and maintain an enterprise- wide   a specialized   litigation management   unit.  

• Provides guidance and direction to claims managers and professionals through a continuous process of management involvement.  

• Supports the claims selection process to   retain   claims   professionals that consistently   demonstrate   appropriate technical   expertise ,   maturity,   and a professional commitment to excellence.  

In summary, the successful candidate must be a knowledgeable,   accomplished   and “hands-on” insurance professional with a demonstrated   track record   of success in leading a   diverse commercial lines   claims organization with the ability to provide “best in class” claims service. The successful candidate will have   demonstrated claims   technical and management   expertise   coupled with an effective personal style and a “team player” orientation .    The Chief Claims Officer , Argo Group   must be someone who can work collaboratively with other members of an executive management team, deal effectively with individuals of diverse professional backgrounds, and have consistent credibility both inside and outside of Argo Group. A career history that underscores continuous advancement either with an insurance organization or the insurance industry is also a requirement for the successful candidate.  

Qualifications / Experience Required :  

The ideal candidate for this position will be an accomplished and highly capable insurance professional with   significant   experience   in   a senior   management commercial property and casualty   claims   role within an organization with a   full-scale   domestic orientation .   He/she must have highly effective leadership skills and a consistent record of superior results in leading a successful commercial claims organization with operations   located   throughout the United States   and   Bermuda .  

The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of property and casualty financial and actuarial concepts and requirements and their influence on the claims reserving process and   financial   outcomes .   He/she must have   experience   in  designing   and implementing claims technology solutions. The successful candidate will   possess   an analytic and metric driven focus combined with strong strategy development and execution skills. He/she must be able to develop and provide corporate presentations to senior and executive claims management that are based upon metric-driven analysis and conclusions.  

Significant personal characteristics for a successful candidate include:  

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build consensus both internally and externally.  

• A strong focus on execution in getting things done right .   Someone who consistently produces and delivers expected results to all stakeholders.  

• Client focus – the ability to effectively   determine   specific client needs and to provide value added solutions.  

• A proven business leader with strong knowledge of Argo Group US, Inc.’s business but who also understands return on capital, expense,   risk,   and efficient use of capital but also understands how   these link   together and can translate them into   actions .  

• Demonstrates inner strength .   Has the courage to do the right thing and   demonstrates   it   daily .  

• Intellectual curiosity .   Consistently considers all options and is not governed by conventional thinking.  

• Ability to build commitment both internally and externally .   Ability to communicate compelling and inspired corporate vision and to gain support for his/her views,   opinions,   and decisions.  

• Strong focus on   selection   – determined to have the right people   who do   the best job .   Has a reputation for his/her ability to   identify , attract and hire talented people.  

• Dedicated to developing talent .   Understands   and is committed to developing people so that they realize their full potential.  

• A team builder, someone who understands that success is dependent upon the performance of the team and not individual team members .   Creates strong morale and spirit within the team: shares   wins   and celebrates success as a team  

• Ability to   establish   mentoring relationships with key employees and   participates   in the development of succession and training plans for critical positions.  

• Ability to drive consistent and   timely   application of claim adjudication and litigation management strategies.  

• Ability to   proactively   communicate   accurate   and   timely   reflection of loss development, potential/actual financial exposure, coverage issues, claim   strategies   and ALAE and ULAE containment.  

• Demonstrates superior knowledge of complex claims situations and all aspects of   litigation   management process.  

• Demonstrates ability to make   timely , solid decisions and recommendations supportive of strategic outcome/results.  

• Maintains productive relationships with clients, business   partners   and organizational peers with a focus on   timely   and meaningful exchanges of information.  

• Possesses   an extensive   knowledge and experience with   adjudicating   and management claims for a portfolio of commercial products/program lines including surety, auto, general   liability,  workers ’ compensation, property, asbestos/environmental, reinsurance and the relevant claims handling practices supporting such products/programs.  

• Skilled in coverage, liability and   damages   analysis   possesses   a comprehensive knowledge of the litigation management process, relevant case   regulation   and statutory law.  

Education Requirements include:  

• J.   D.   from an accredited law school .  

• A CPCU or other relevant professional designation is desirable.  

About Working in Claims at Argo Group  

• Argo Group does not treat our claims or our claims professionals as a commodity.   The work we offer is challenging, diverse, and impactful.  

• Our Adjusters and Managers are empowered to exercise their independent discretion and, within broad limits and authority, be creative in developing solutions and   treat   each case as the unique situation it is.  

• We have a very flat organizational structure, enabling our employees   to have   more interaction with our senior management team, especially when it relates to reviewing large losses.  

• Our entire claims team works in a collaborative nature to expeditiously resolve claims .   We offer a work environment that inspires innovation and is open to employee suggestions. We even offer rewards for creative and innovative ideas.  

• We believe in building an inclusive and diverse team, and we strive to make our office a welcoming space for everyone. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds to apply.  

The base salary range provided below is for hires in those geographic areas only and will be   commensurate   with candidate experience. Pay ranges for candidates in other locations may differ based   on the cost of   labor   in that location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus   and long-term incentives   based on company and individual performance as well as a generous benefits package.  

• Chicago,   Los Angeles,   New York City, and   Richmond Pay Range:   $ 270,000   - $ 3 50,000

PLEASE NOTE: 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. At this time, we are not able to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar state or local law and you wish to discuss potential reasonable accommodations related to applying for employment with us, please contact our Benefits Department at 210-321-8400. 

Benefits and Compensation

We offer a competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, and a comprehensive benefits program—including health, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Core Values

At Clearbrook our Core Values are Integrity, Collaboration, Pursuit of Excellence and Forward Thinking. These values reflect who we are today and who we apsire to be - guiding how we work, how we lead and how we succeed.