Senior Professional Liability Claims (Attorney), Claims Construction

Zurich North America is expanding its nationwide Construction Professional Liability Claims Team with the addition of a dedicated Claims Construction, Professional Liability Claims (Senior or AVP level). 

In this highly technical, individual contributor role, the selected candidate will manage complex, litigated construction professional liability claims. These claims typically involve allegations of design errors, omissions, or other professional acts for which our construction clients may be legally responsible. The position offers autonomy and requires strong analytical, negotiation, and litigation management skills. This position can be office, hybrid, or fully remote anywhere in the lower 48 states.

Claims Handling & Investigation:

• Manage a portfolio of highly complex, litigated claims with significant exposures, requiring advanced technical expertise and strategic coordination.
• Accurately update and document claim files in accordance with best practices, ensuring data integrity and compliance.
• Verify coverage by analyzing policy language, determining applicability to the loss, and drafting clear, well-supported coverage position letters.
• Conduct thorough investigations by collecting relevant documentation (e.g., contracts, recorded statements, expert reports) to assess coverage, liability, and damages.

Resolution Strategy & Negotiation:

• Develop and implement effective claim resolution strategies, including case evaluations, issue escalation, and timely disposition planning.
• Establish and maintain appropriate reserves throughout the claim lifecycle, ensuring alignment with exposure and developments.
• Achieve favorable claim outcomes by exercising sound judgment, applying case-specific resolution strategies, leveraging available tools, negotiating effectively, and operating within established authority limits.

Litigation & Legal Compliance:

• Oversee litigation by selecting counsel, reviewing litigation plans and budgets, coordinating defense efforts, and authorizing legal payments.
• Ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and internal controls throughout the claims process.
• Identify and refer claims with subrogation or fraud potential to the appropriate internal teams for further investigation.

Customer Service & Communication:

• Deliver exceptional customer service by proactively communicating with insureds, brokers, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate empathy and professionalism in all interactions, actively listening to understand customer needs and concerns.
• Partner with customers to achieve fair and timely outcomes, ensuring transparency and responsiveness throughout the claim process.
• Provide timely updates and clear explanations of claim status, decisions, and next steps, fostering trust and confidence.

Quality Assurance & Risk Reporting:

• Maintain high quality standards by producing accurate, timely work and ensuring thorough documentation in accordance with best practices.
• Keep Claims and Business Unit leadership informed of significant risks, emerging exposures, and strategic claim insights.
• Resolve issues by applying company policies, procedures, and standards to ensure consistency and quality outcomes.
• Support profitable growth by sharing risk insights, trends, and data with internal stakeholders and customers as appropriate.

Expertise, Mentorship & Continuous Learning:

• Maintain subject matter expertise and regulatory compliance by staying informed on insurance laws, industry developments, and best practices.
• Mentor and support less experienced claims professionals, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing.
• Serve as a technical resource to internal teams and business partners, offering insights to enhance product design, underwriting, and policy language.
• Escalate complex issues to senior colleagues when appropriate, promoting quality outcomes and continuous learning.
• Invest in professional development through ongoing education, industry networking, and active participation in professional organizations.

This role will be filled at either the Senior or AVP Claims Professional Level. The hiring manager will determine the appropriate level based upon the selected applicant’s experience and skill set relative to the qualifications listed for this position.

Basic Qualifications:

AVP Claims Professional:

• Bachelors Degree and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims Technical area
  OR
• Juris Doctor and 4 or more years of experience in the Claims and Litigation Management area.
  OR
• High School Diploma or Equivalent and 10 or more years of experience in the Claims and/or Litigation Management area
  OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice, including an Associate Degree with 8 or more years of experience in the Claims and/or Litigation Management area
  AND
• Must obtain and retain required adjuster license
• Microsoft Office experience
• Knowledge of insurance regulations, markets, and products
  
  

OR

Senior Claims Professional:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 6 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
  OR
• Juris Doctor and 2 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
  OR
• Zurich Certified Insurance Apprentice, including an associate degree with 6 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
  OR
• Completion of Zurich Claims Training Program and 6 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
  OR
• High School Diploma Equivalent and 8 or more years of experience in the Claims and/ or Litigation Management area.
  AND
• Must obtain and maintain required adjuster license(s)
• Microsoft Office experience
• Knowledge of insurance regulations, markets, and products 

Your pay at Zurich is based on your role, location, skills, and experience. We follow local laws to ensure fair compensation. You may also be eligible for bonuses and merit increases. If your expectations are above the listed range, we still encourage you to apply—your unique background matters to us. The pay range shown is a national average and may vary by location. The combined salary range for this position is $74,300.00 - $161,000.00. The proposed salary range for this position is $74,300.00 - $121,700.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 15%. The proposed salary range for this position is $98,300.00 - $161,000.00, with short-term incentive bonus eligibility set at 20%. 

We offer competitive pay and comprehensive benefits for employees and their families. [Learn more about Total Rewards here.]

Why Zurich?

At Zurich, we value your ideas and experience. We offer growth, inclusion, and a supportive environment—so you can help shape the future of insurance. Zurich North America is a leader in risk management, with over 150 years of expertise and coverage across 25+ industries, including 90% of the Fortune 500®.

Join us for a brighter future—for yourself and our customers.

Zurich in North America does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer disability/vets.

Zurich complies with 18 U.S. Code § 1033.

Please note: Zurich does not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies. Preferred vendors should use our Recruiting Agency Portal.

Location(s): AM - Schaumburg, AM - Addison, AM - Atlanta, AM - Dallas, AM - Maitland, AM - Omaha, AM - Overland Park, AM - Owings Mills, AM - Parsippany, AM - Remote Work (US), AM - Rocky Hill, AM - Woodland Hills
Remote Working: Hybrid
Schedule: Full Time
Employment Sponsorship Offered: No 
 
Linkedin Recruiter Tag: #LI-LC1 #LI-DIRECTOR #LI-HYBRID