AVP, Claims Greater Hartford, CT Area

Company Details

Berkley Small Business Solutions is a newly formed operating unit within WR Berkley. The new operating unit offers commercial insurance products for small businesses through a modern technology platform that leverages data and analytics to deliver a superior customer experience. In addition, Berkley Small Business Solutions is in its second year of offering insurance products for small trucking operations of fewer than 15 power unit.

W. R. Berkley Corporation, founded in 1967, is one of the nation’s premier commercial lines property casualty insurance providers. Each of the operating units in the Berkley group participates in a niche market requiring specialized knowledge about a territory or product. Our competitive advantage lies in our long-term strategy of decentralized operations, allowing each of our units to identify and respond quickly and effectively.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Vice President, Claims is responsible for the leadership, management, and operational performance of the Claims Department. Reporting to the Vice President, Claims, this role oversees claim operations, staff development, quality assurance, compliance, vendor management, and claim outcomes to ensure efficient, consistent, and customer-focused claim handling. The AVP partners closely with the VP, Claims to execute departmental strategy, drive operational excellence, manage loss costs, and support organizational objectives. This position serves as a key leader within the Claims organization, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day operations of the Claims Department, ensuring timely, accurate, and customer-focused claim handling.

Directly manage and develop claims leaders and staff, including performance management, workforce planning, succession planning, and employee development.

Execute the strategic direction established by the VP, Claims and provide recommendations to improve departmental performance and effectiveness.

Monitor claim handling quality, reserving practices, litigation management, and settlement authority to ensure sound claim outcomes.

Analyze operational metrics, trends, and claim results to identify opportunities for improvement and recommend corrective actions.

Partner with the VP, Claims on departmental planning, budgeting, staffing, and operational initiatives.

Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, claim handling standards, and reporting obligations.

Oversee claim audits, quality reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives to promote consistency and operational excellence.

Manage relationships with defense counsel, TPAs, independent adjusters, medical management vendors, and other external partners.

Collaborate with underwriting, actuarial, finance, legal, compliance, and other stakeholders to support organizational goals and customer service objectives.

Provide leadership and guidance on complex, high-exposure, and litigated claims.

Represent the Claims Department in cross-functional projects and organizational initiatives.

Foster a culture that emphasizes accountability, engagement, collaboration, service excellence, and continuous learning.

May perform other functions as assigned

Qualifications

CPCU, AIC, SCLA, or other relevant professional designations preferred.

10+ years of progressive claims experience.

5+ years of claims leadership experience managing leaders and/or large claims teams.

Strong knowledge of claim operations, coverage analysis, litigation management, reserving, regulatory compliance, and claims best practices.

Proven ability to lead teams, improve operational performance, and drive employee engagement.

Strong analytical, communication, and relationship management skills.

Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes and collaborate effectively across the organization.

Education

Bachelor's degree required; insurance or business-related field preferred.

Additional Company Details

The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer. Important Outside Agency Notice: Only solicited resumes/candidate profiles that are submitted by a Berkley Preferred Agency Partner that have been requested by Berkley Internal Recruiting to engage in a particular search will be subject to the payment of Agency fees as defined in the formal agency agreement. Any unsolicited resumes/candidate profiles are not subject to payment of the agency fees. The company offers a competitive compensation plan and robust benefits package for full time regular employees. Base salary & Benefits include Health, dental, vision, life, disability, wellness, paid time off, 401(k) and profit-sharing plans. Salary Range: $150K - $180K 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.