Corporate Claims Manager

Position Purpose:

The Corporate Claims Manager is responsible for managing assigned Property, General Liability, Auto Liability, and Workers' Compensation claims throughout the United States and Canada. This role oversees the full claims lifecycle, including investigations, litigation management, third-party administrator oversight, financial analysis, settlement strategies, and communication with internal and external stakeholders. The Corporate Claims Manager plays a critical role in minimizing risk exposure, managing claim-related costs, supporting operational safety initiatives, and ensuring effective claims administration across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage assigned Property, General Liability, Auto Liability, and Workers' Compensation claims throughout the United States and Canada.
• Lead and support local post-accident investigations to ensure thorough fact gathering and claim documentation.
• Oversee third-party claims administrators (TPAs) to ensure claims are managed appropriately and in accordance with established service instructions and claim handling strategies.
• Review and approve reserve changes and claim payment requests based on necessity, accuracy, and appropriateness.
• Evaluate claims and provide settlement recommendations that align with company objectives and risk management strategies.
• Communicate the financial impact of claims-related expenses to local leadership and the Executive Leadership Team.
• Manage relationships with local legal counsel retained to defend GMS and its subsidiaries in litigation matters.
• Represent the company during mediation, arbitration, and trial proceedings as necessary.
• Collaborate with primary, umbrella, and excess insurance carriers on claims and settlements exceeding deductible thresholds.
• Participate in quarterly large-loss claim reviews and provide strategic insights and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Partner with safety professionals to identify operational locations that may require additional training, corrective action, or risk mitigation efforts.
• Assist in preparing quarterly litigation reports to communicate claim status, trends, and risk exposure.
• Manage relationships with vendors supporting the claims process, including private investigators, nurse case managers, accident reconstruction specialists, and trial experts.
• Ensure accurate and timely transmission of claims data between TPAs, Risk Management Information Systems (RMIS), internal business partners, and actuaries.
• Collaborate with Accounting and Finance to allocate claim costs appropriately under the company's large deductible program.
• Support analysts in developing meaningful claims and risk management metrics.
• Respond to inquiries from field operations regarding claim status, claim costs, reserve activity, and financial impacts.

Direct Manager/Direct Reports:

• This position reports directly to the Director, Risk.
• This role does not have direct reports and serves as an individual contributor supporting corporate risk management and claims administration functions.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel is required as needed to support claim investigations, litigation activities, mediations, operational reviews, training initiatives, and other business requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position in an office environment for extended periods of time.
• Frequently moves throughout the office to access files, equipment, and workstations.
• Must be able to operate standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, and printers.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with team members, management, legal counsel, insurance carriers, and business partners.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information through verbal and written communication.
• Must be able to perform repetitive hand and finger movements associated with computer and keyboard use.
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable performance of essential job functions.

Working Conditions:

• This position primarily operates in a professional office environment with a hybrid work arrangement. The role requires frequent interaction with internal stakeholders, external vendors, legal counsel, claims administrators, and insurance carriers. The Corporate Claims Manager must effectively manage multiple priorities, complex claims, and litigation matters in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of related experience in claims administration, claims handling, risk management, or insurance operations.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong knowledge of Property, General Liability, Auto Liability, and Workers' Compensation claims handling practices.
• Multi-jurisdictional claims management experience across the United States and Canada.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high volume of claims while maintaining responsiveness and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical, investigative, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively interact with executive leadership, legal counsel, insurance carriers, and operational leaders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within large deductible, self-insured, or captive insurance programs.
• Experience managing complex litigation and catastrophic loss claims.
• Knowledge of Risk Management Information Systems (RMIS) and claims analytics tools.
• Experience collaborating with insurance carriers, actuaries, and third-party administrators.
• Professional experience within transportation, construction, manufacturing, distribution, or similar industries.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Education:

• No additional education requirements beyond the minimum qualifications.

Minimum Years of Work Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience in claims administration, claims handling, risk management, insurance operations, or a related field.

Certifications:

Not required.

• Associate in Claims (AIC) preferred.
• Associate in Risk Management (ARM) preferred.
• Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) preferred.
• Other risk management, insurance, or claims-related certifications are considered advantageous.

Competencies:

• Agility and Resilience: Adapts effectively to shifting priorities, changing regulations, and complex claim environments.
• Business Insight: Understands the financial and operational impact of claims and applies sound business judgment.
• Collaboration: Builds productive partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Customer Focus: Responds promptly and professionally to internal and external customer needs.
• Drive Results: Demonstrates accountability for claim outcomes, cost control, and process improvement.
• Claims Management Expertise: Applies technical claims knowledge to ensure effective handling and resolution of claims.
• Risk Assessment: Identifies exposures, evaluates risk, and recommends appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Negotiation: Effectively negotiates settlements, vendor agreements, and claim resolutions.
• Communication: Clearly communicates complex claim information to diverse audiences.
• Attention to Detail: Maintains accuracy and consistency across documentation, reporting, reserves, and financial analysis.

Work Location:

• GMS Atlanta, GA Office