Vice President Of Claims

Vice President of Claims
SFM - The Work Comp Experts
Work somewhere you love
SFM is unique in that we are small enough that your voice is heard but has all the benefits and perks of a larger employer. Since 1985, we have been Workers' Compensation career of choice. We are committed to creating a positive work environment and believe that our exceptional and motivated employees are our greatest strength. We value your opinion, help you reach your goals, and make it easy for you to maintain work-life balance and encourage you to bring "your real self" to work each day. SFM emphasizes work life balance, and our benefit package is designed to assist you navigate your work-life journey.
Our benefits include:

• Affordable Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance, HSA, FSA
• Flexible hybrid work environment
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans with company match
• Company contributions to help pay off student loans
• Monthly home internet allowance
• Free life insurance, STD & LTD
• Opportunities for annual gainshare bonus
• Pet insurance
• Generous PTO
• 9 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Annual company-wide volunteer day
• Discounts on gym memberships, fitness apps and weight loss programs
• Adoption financial assistance

Visit our careers page to learn more about working at SFM
The role
As the VP of Claims, you will provide visionary direction, technical oversight and direct support to staff in application of claim management policies, practices, and procedures. You will lead the Claims Technical team and promote innovation and inspire change. While working with various regulatory and state agencies you will be kept informed of rules, procedures and changes made to state forms. You will network with a variety of people including claims professionals, attorneys, and legislative officials. When reviewing internal claims processes, you will review company data relative to the internal claims and consider predictive modeling and or business intelligence reports to seek out ways to improve processes and efficiencies. Partnering with the actuary team and other key stakeholders within the organization is a big part of the duties associated with this position. Directing internal reviews to ensure SFM's quality control measures over claims staff application are being adhered to is critical and you will use that information to identify areas of deficiencies and the need to enhance claims staff training. The VP of Claims will provide strategic oversight within the organization. If you have a strong legal and/or strategic mind and excellent workers compensation claims handling knowledge, you need to apply for this job and learn why SFM is considered the premier workers' compensation career in Minnesota and other states.
What You Will Be Doing
Business Focus

1. Identifies improvement opportunities and keeps abreast of mandated laws, rules and procedures by participating with various regulatory and state agencies. This includes development of expertise in business processes and claims handling in emerging markets.
2. Describes and analyzes claims data, trends and patterns that assist the actuaries in their forecasts and assumptions in determining ultimate loss costs, and senior executive management in policy decisions. Further addresses questions that arise from loss patterns and trends.
3. Monitors emerging trends in workers' compensation. Completes claims analysis on emerging trends and known high value incidents and as requested. Provides guidance on corporate direction to Chief Operating Officer and corporate strategic planning.
4. Participates in industry associations and conferences related to claims management.

Operations and Corporate Focus

1. Establishes, modifies and documents claims management policies, practices and procedures and communicates these best practices to management and the claims staff.
2. Establishes authority limits for all claims staff and reviews caseload to ensure proper handling of Claims as well as the appropriateness of Claims management decisions.
3. Provides quality control over staff application of Claims management policies, practices and procedures through the use of internal audits and other appropriate methods.
4. In coordination with Human Resources, determines the need for and delivery of technical training and follows up to ensure that individuals have achieved a successful outcome. Works with the Strategic Business Units and Business Services to enhance training materials and programs to increase technical knowledge of all staff members.
5. Identifies, develops, implements and monitors efficiencies and solutions to business needs and special projects through technology for claims services. Works closely with the Information Services and Analytics teams to develop new tools and improve the claims management process.
6. Reviews, audits, and manages claims business processes and serves as an active role model promoting change and innovation when needed. .
7. Develops and participates in high exposure cases (round-table, med/legal discussions) to assist the claims management process.
8. Works with management in reviewing and responding to formal complaints issued by external customers.
9. Establishes procedures for optimal use of internal medical resources for the purpose of ensuring timely and appropriate delivery of medical services.
10. Develops written claims and risk material for Marketing and corporate use to generate business and distinguish SFM as an industry expert and carrier of choice.
11. Participates in corporate strategic planning.

Leadership and Staff Development

1. Develops and communicates vision and expectation levels to team members and relates them to corporate vision and strategic direction. Maintains appropriate interactions with persons both within the organization and externally.
2. Provides team members with the tools needed for the team to accomplish stated objectives.
3. Consistently provides feedback and communication to staff members related to company and team performance.
4. Leads team members to make decisions based on established criteria/goals and monitors performance to achieve successful results.
5. Defines and develops team member's job, responsibilities and accountabilities.
6. Manages the successful integrations of multi-disciplined functions including underwriting, claims, loss prevention, telephonic case management, and others that are providing support to teams.
7. Selects, coaches and retains staff. Inspires team members to attain goals and pursue excellence. Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for improved performance. Effectively utilizes each team member to his/her fullest potential.
8. Partners with and uses Human Resources as a resource for talent acquisition, training, and performance management.
9. Provides training and development opportunities. Identifies and develops future leadership within the team. Challenges team members to develop professionally or as leaders while serving as a role model and mentor.

What We'll Love About You

• Bachelor's degree.
• Master's Degree or Law Degree preferred.
• Eight years' claims management or legal experience with an emphasis on workers' compensation and/or casualty insurance experience.
• Professional insurance designations relevant to area of expertise desired.
• Experience leading people or projects.
• Professional insurance designations relevant to the position are a plus.
• Ability to build a collaborate environment and work effective with various
• Extensive state applicable claims knowledge with a specialization in workers' compensation and/or casualty.
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to interact in a team environment.
• Ability to build a collaborate environment and work effective with various business units. .
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and work with minimal direction.
• Excellent analytical research and documentation writing skills.
• Strong, effective leadership and supervisory skills.
• Inspires innovation and continuous quality improvement.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to apply confidentiality when appropriate.
• Highly developed ability to build consensus and manage change effectively.
• Strong project management skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Proficient in MS Office software applications (Excel, Word, etc.).
• Must be able to come into the MN office when needed.

Regular attendance is required. Work takes place in a semi paperless environment within an office setting, either on business premises or other remote location, using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers, which requires being stationary for extended periods of time. Will come into the office when needed when asked to do so. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, and maintain concentration and focus. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms and work with close vision. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Work is performed indoors with little to no exposure to extreme outdoor weather conditions. Travel as needed.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About SFM
Since 1983, our mission has been to be the workers' compensation partner of choice for agents, employers and their workers. In that time, we've expanded to over 25,000 customers in the Midwest and grown our offerings to include vocational rehabilitation, loss prevention, medical services and more. Though much has changed through the years, our focus continues to be unrivaled customer service, safety, and providing better outcomes for employers and injured workers.
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SFM Mutual Insurance Company and each of its parent companies, subsidiaries and/or affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. SFM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
SFM Companies, EEO/AA Employers. SFM is a participant of E-Verify. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.