Director of Property Claims Operations

Introduction

At Zenith we specialize in providing P&C insurance products and services to California Agricultural and Commercial businesses. We employ talented insurance professionals who are eager to get to know our policyholders, understand their operations, and help protect their businesses. Values such as collaboration, work-life balance, and integrity are placed at the center of all our operations. In addition, Zenith supports career advancement through a dedication to ongoing learning and development.

Overview

This position is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership, and claims performance of the property claims department.

***This role is ideally based near one of Zenith's California office locations, but we are open to fully remote candidates residing in California.

Responsibilities

• Directs, controls, and monitors the coverage, liability, and damage investigation and determination, negotiation strategy and resolution of all claims within specialty area.
• Provides effective leadership and technical advice to all claims professionals on the team, including leadership and understanding of industry data and trends, and new legal issues as necessary.
• Ensures all claims professionals demonstrate technical and customer service excellence.
• Conducts claim file reviews or inspections for quality control and performance evaluation purposes, and initiates corrective actions as necessary.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, company best practices, corporate values, and communications.
• Performs typical supervisory duties, such as hiring, motivating, coaching, retention, ongoing training and development of associates. Directs the hiring, supervision, training, and promoting of candidates.
• Evaluates performance according to established corporate standards of performance. Prepares performance appraisals and recommends salary actions in accordance with company policy
• Works with defense counsel as necessary to expedite claim resolution, and manage LAE.
• Leads the development of initiatives, efficient processes and procedures, to deliver exceptional claims service in response to customer needs and industry trends, and strengthen operational performance.
• This will include the development and implementation of technologies including AI.
• Establishes Best Claims Practices, policies and procedures, and claims system “rules”.
• Works productively and harmoniously with others on a consistent basis.
• Responds positively to direction and feedback on performance
• Consistently maintains professional and appropriate demeanor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Education
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of training or experience Required
• Work Experience
• 5+ years managing Property Claims team(s) required
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Exceptional written and verbal communications, organizational and time management skills
• Ability to analyze data and interpret complex claim information or legal issues, reports, or key metrics that impact operational performance and results
• Fully competent with MS Office suite of products, Xactware products and familiarity with emerging AI products.
• Must have advanced knowledge of commercial and farm claim related issues and policy coverage contracts, including DOI claim regulations
• Must possess advanced knowledge of the claims legal process, understanding of relevant case law or claim related regulations, leadership and technical claims issues, procedures, processes, best practices and strategies.
• Pay, Benefits, and Other Information

The expected salary range for this position is $138,361.38 - $162,862.87 . Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience, geographic location, and other job-related factors as permitted by law. Qualifications may warrant placement in a different job level.

Responsibilities

• Directs, controls, and monitors the coverage, liability, and damage investigation and determination, negotiation strategy and resolution of all claims within specialty area.
• Provides effective leadership and technical advice to all claims professionals on the team, including leadership and understanding of industry data and trends, and new legal issues as necessary.
• Ensures all claims professionals demonstrate technical and customer service excellence.
• Conducts claim file reviews or inspections for quality control and performance evaluation purposes, and initiates corrective actions as necessary.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, company best practices, corporate values, and communications.
• Performs typical supervisory duties, such as hiring, motivating, coaching, retention, ongoing training and development of associates. Directs the hiring, supervision, training, and promoting of candidates.
• Evaluates performance according to established corporate standards of performance. Prepares performance appraisals and recommends salary actions in accordance with company policy
• Works with defense counsel as necessary to expedite claim resolution, and manage LAE.
• Leads the development of initiatives, efficient processes and procedures, to deliver exceptional claims service in response to customer needs and industry trends, and strengthen operational performance.
• This will include the development and implementation of technologies including AI.
• Establishes Best Claims Practices, policies and procedures, and claims system “rules”.
• Works productively and harmoniously with others on a consistent basis.
• Responds positively to direction and feedback on performance
• Consistently maintains professional and appropriate demeanor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.