Workers' Compensation Claims Manager

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) is a state agency responsible for maintaining the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway - two of the busiest toll roads in the United States. The NJTA is dedicated to the safe and efficient movement of people and goods along their toll roads. Every day, the Authority’s highways provide the safest, quickest, and most convenient routes for hundreds of commuters, truckers, and recreational travelers.

OUR MISSION:

We are committed to constantly improving the safety, technology, and resiliency of our toll roadway systems through sound fiscal policy and maintaining an excellent state of good repair that promotes the connectedness of our customers across the state and region.

POSITION:

The NJTA is currently seeking applications for a Workers’ Compensation Claims Manager position in our Law department located at our Woodbridge, NJ headquarters building.

This position reports to the Director of Law (General Counsel) and is responsible for overseeing the administration and resolution of workers’ compensation claims. This role involves managing the performance of a contracted Third-Party Administrator (“TPA”), ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and safeguarding the entity’s financial and operational interests. The ideal candidate should have diversified legal experience and/or knowledge concerning the subject matters described below. The selected candidate shall take on other tasks as assigned by the Director of the Law.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Monitor and evaluate the performance of the TPA and outside counsel to ensure timely, fair, and cost-effective claims handling.
2. Conduct regular audits and review of claims files and reports.
3. Ensure compliance with state workers’ compensation laws, Authority policies and collective bargaining agreements.
4. Prepare and present regular reports on claim trends, costs and outcomes to senior leadership for strategic improvement.
5. Recommend strategies for claim resolution, litigation management, return-to-work programs and other measures to facilitate the prompt and safe reintegration of injured employees.
6. Coordinate with internal departments, outside legal counsel and medical providers.
7. Analyze claims data to identify trends and opportunities for risk mitigation.
8. Support the development of injury prevention and safety initiatives.
9. Formulate and conduct training sessions for supervisors and managers on injury reporting procedures, claims documentation, and return to work processes.

A high level of discretion and confidentiality is required.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or requirements for the job. Management reserves the right to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR RELATIONSHIPS:
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all employees of the Authority. Represent the Authority in a positive, professional, and confidential manner in all dealings with external agencies, contractors, and all other individuals. Maintain professional demeanor even in high stress emergency and weather situations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Public Administration, Insurance, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
2. Minimum eight (8) years of experience in New Jersey (NJ) workers’ compensation claims management. Experience in a public sector environment is preferred.
3. Experience in managing or working with TPAs.
4. Strong knowledge of NJ workers’ compensation laws, public sector regulations, and claims management systems.
5. Excellent communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
6. Must possess a valid NJ Driver’s License.

BENEFITS & PAY:

The salary range for this position is $67,826/yr. to $108,963/yr.

This position is eligible for flex time hours upon meeting the requirements outlined in the Authority’s policy and at the Authority’s ultimate discretion. Additionally, this position is eligible for telework upon meeting the requirements outlined in the Authority’s policy, such as performance expectations and applicable waiting periods, and at the Authority’s ultimate discretion. Flex time and Telework is not guaranteed. Toll-free commutation is available for employee travel to and from work on the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

This position is non-aligned. Toll-free commutation is available for employee travel to and from work on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

All non-aligned NJTA full time management employees are entitled to participate in the following benefits per the guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement: Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance after applicable waiting period; Enrollment in the NJ Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) if eligible; PERS Life Insurance and PERS Supplemental Life Insurance; Group Life Insurance; Paid up Management Life Insurance; Worker’s Compensation Insurance; 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan; Time off including holidays, vacation, sick, personal, leaves of absence, and other pre-approved days after applicable waiting periods.

Prospective public employees should be aware that the New Jersey First Act requires employees of all public authorities to reside in the State of New Jersey unless otherwise exempted under the law.

The NJTA is an equal opportunity employer.