Head of Legal Services, Claims Third Party Management

This is your opportunity to join AXIS Capital – a trusted global provider of specialty lines insurance and reinsurance.  We stand apart for our outstanding client service, intelligent risk taking and superior risk adjusted returns for our shareholders. We also proudly maintain an entrepreneurial, disciplined and ethical corporate culture.  As a member of AXIS, you join a team that is among the best in the industry.

At AXIS, we believe that we are only as strong as our people. We strive to create an inclusive and welcoming culture where employees of all backgrounds and from all walks of life feel comfortable and empowered to be themselves. This means that we bring our whole selves to work. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, civil union status, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates taking part in the selection process.

Head of Legal Services

Claims Third Party Management

AXIS is seeking a Head of Legal Services, Claims Third Party Management, to join our Global Claims Shared Services team.  As a direct report to the Head of Claims Third Party Management, the successful candidate should possess the ability to develop and lead the long-term strategic vision for Legal Services globally. This includes partnering and collaborating with AXIS stakeholders and external third party service providers to achieve the optimal use of legal services in all regions in which we operate.

The role requires an experienced leader who is effective working at the executive level whilst operationally managing litigation services, outside counsel relationships and services provided by key vendor partners.  The role includes responsibility for AXIS’ legal bill review program and legal billing platform.

In this highly visible position, you will act as a subject matter advisor to claims professionals and have responsibility for ensuring that the Legal Services Program for Claims is scalable for future growth.  You will

promote a continuous improvement culture, redefine, and optimize processes, define the framework for Legal Services and identify areas for opportunity across the Legal Services third party portfolio.

The successful candidate is a results-driven team player and a proven leader with a can-do mindset.  You will have experience in the specialty insurance industry coupled with knowledge of insurance claims and be an acknowledged expert in Legal Services and litigation management.

The core responsibilities of the role are:

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define the long-term strategic, global roadmap and objectives for Claims Legal Services including measurable objectives and target outcomes

• Translate AXIS, Claims and Claims Shared Services business strategies and goals into practical, executable Legal Services priorities, driving alignment and accountability across the organization

• Coordinate, enhance and manage Claims litigation management processes and procedures, including AXIS Claims Legal Billing Guidelines, to manage commercial and risk exposure in the context of a scalable business model

• Partner with Claims leadership to align the Legal Services program with litigation support requirements including the strategic and operational management of panel and non-panel counsel

• Develop and rollout rate and performance management processes for outside counsel to effectively measure and manage value delivered to AXIS and its customers

• Actively manage relationships with outside counsel and related Legal Services third party providers including court reporting, record retrieval and eDiscovery vendors to strengthen the partnerships with AXIS

• Oversee structured, consistent and auditable vendor onboarding and offboarding activities to ensure risks are identified and appropriately managed

• Lead the team providing support to claims handlers, other AXIS stakeholders and external vendors at all stages in the end-to-end Legal Services lifecycle

• Design and operationalize structured change management, communication and education capabilities for the Legal Services program to better inform and upskill internal and external stakeholders

• Provide management reporting and actionable insights to senior leadership, Claims managers and other internal stakeholder groups that enhances AXIS’ ability to manage Legal Services activity

• Oversee AXIS Claims outside counsel bill review program and supporting technology toolset(s) including management of key vendor partnerships and performance of managed service providers

• Design and rollout an outside counsel bill review program with supporting technology to additional markets to better manage Legal Services expenses globally

• Develop, track and action insights from key performance indicators (KPIs) related to performance of the Legal Services function to improve its ability to effectively support internal and external stakeholders
   
• Maintain awareness of external legal, regulatory and litigation trends to proactively advise internal stakeholders on best practices, emerging risks and implications

• Collaborate with other internal AXIS teams in support of the end-to-end claims lifecycle to achieve optimized handling of claims

KEY SKILLS & ABILITIES:

You are an experienced leader with a history of leading and getting work done in a fast-

paced environment with an aptitude for analyzing data and making practical and forward-looking decisions to drive foundational change.

Key attributes required for the role include:

• Exceptional leadership and management skills leading cross functional work via collaboration, negotiation, influence, and teamwork
   
• Outstanding organizational, critical thinking, problem solving, analytical and quantitative skills including the ability to analyze and interpret financial and claims data

• Experience working in a specialty insurer or reinsurer with a complex operating environment including both domestically and internationally

• Extensive experience managing claims related litigation and Legal Services spend, TPAs or other vendor services including relationship management with external third parties

• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability and experience reporting and presenting to senior management

• Proven prioritization skills with the ability to balance both the immediate needs with broader organizational strategies

• Ability to effectively resolve conflicts and work successfully with stakeholders with differing expectations and viewpoints
   
• Advanced skills in use of insurance platforms and systems including legal bill review systems such as Legal eXchange
   
• College and advanced degree (JD preferred)

• Travel is associated with this role

Preferred Locations:

NYC, NY

Short Hills, NJ 

Red Bank, NJ

Alpharetta, GA

Chicago, IL

Toronto, OT