This position is responsible for the development and execution of short and long-term plans to evaluate and mitigate claims expense. The Claims Manager partners with internal and external stakeholders to identify, measure and manage claims, including development and implementation of risk control solutions within business operations. This position will develop and execute litigation claim management strategies that will assist in the reduction of self-funded loss cost to the company. The Manager will manage an in-house liability claim team and partner with our TPA to oversee a portfolio of open litigated liability claims. Primary responsibility is to manage complex general liability, and other self-insured claims and incidents as required. Will develop strategies for prompt and economical resolution in a self-funded environment. Develops solid relationships with internal and external clients, vendors and industry groups to ensure Dollar Tree maintains a “Best in Class” claims process. Regularly interacts with internal and external legal counsel, insurance representatives, third party claims administrator and other stakeholders regarding claim issues.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities:
Manage complex litigated general liability, auto liability and other claims as required to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
Partner with Dollar Tree legal on high exposure or high severity claims to develop case strategy.
Direct Third Party Administrator (TPA) claims examiners and assign and direct defense attorneys on litigated liability matters.
Develop law firm networks for the company by partnering with legal to establish cost effective business relationships.
Monitor and evaluate the performance of defense firms making changes as necessary to adjust to business climate. Implement rate structures and alternative fee arrangements.
Manage litigation budgets, evaluate adequacy of case reserves and advise on adjustments where necessary.
Serve as point of contact for legal spend management vendor, review and approve firm enrollment, attorney rates and timekeepers. Review and approve requests for exceptions, experts, travel and other significant expenses.
Provide approval authority to TPA representatives for settlement of cases and approve increases in case reserves up to assigned authority levels.
Represent Dollar Tree with insurance underwriters by providing regular updates on high severity cases.
Review and manage investigations and discovery required to defend cases and for mediation/trial preparation.
Attend claim mediations and trials as required depending on severity of case.
Initiate audits and file reviews at TPA and defense counsel firms. Assess performance and implement target goals for improvement.
Conduct analysis of claims data to facilitate decisions on liability claims program structure and TPA staffing, direction of program to achieve maximum results, and use of additional resources to augment TPA capabilities.
Ensure that insurance coverage positions on claims are consistent with our policy language and contracts.
Partner with Dollar Tree insurance carrier claim executives on strategy, counsel evaluation, reserve adequacy and ensure insurance carriers are on notice on high severity claims.
Manage subrogation and recovery processes on complex cases.
Coordinate the preservation of data for legal holds associated with claims, litigation and investigations.
Coordinate claims reduction strategies with Dollar Tree safety and legal stakeholders.
Conduct financial analyses of claim metrics to evaluate trends in program costs, losses, and the effectiveness of process improvement initiatives. Communicate metrics and costs through reporting to internal stakeholders.
Stay current with key changes in the legal and regulatory environment.
Special projects assigned by Director of Claims & Litigation.
Manage and mentor claim professional(s).
Minimum Requirements / Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree.
5 + years of multi state liability (complex, litigated cases) experience with law firm, insurance carrier, third party administrator or insurance broker. At least 3 must be in a management role.
Litigated liability claims experience.
Strong analytical skills related to investigations, claims strategies and claim reviews.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills; ability to handle difficult situations.
Pro-active and collaborative mindset with an ability to work in fast paced team environment, handling multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
Knowledge of medical terminology, medical treatment protocols, and legal proceedings.
Our Dollar Tree Story
Our company roots go back more than 70 years from a variety store in Norfolk, Virginia, into one of the fastest-growing businesses in America, now operating more than 9,000 stores with 150,000 associates. In the midst of massive growth, Dollar Tree remains committed to our original mission: giving our customers great value at low prices. We’re fulfilling that mission more now than ever before.
