Vice President of Claims

This key leadership role provides oversight and management of the claims functions of a growing property and casualty company.  This position is part of the executive leadership team and reports to the President and CEO.

LOCATION:  Lakewood Ranch corporate park (Sarasota, FL)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ownership and management of the Company’s liability and property claims utilizing third party administrator (TPA);
• Maximize the value of TPA’s services to ensure proper procedural and timely processing of claims;
• Interact regularly with TPA and internal Company business units to identify, coordinate, and communicate claims solutions;
• Analyze and manage loss activity; 
• Ongoing file reviews to perform oversight functions and facilitate Company decisions on individual claims;
• Oversee TPA’s implementation of Company’s Claims Catastrophe Plan and drive updates of same; 
• Manage Company’s Best Claims Practices, oversee TPA’s implementation, analyze and implement improvements; 
• Stay apprised of applicable court decisions and claims-related changes in  laws, regulations and other insurance department actions in all Gulfstream states;
• Manage, review and monitor liability claims;
• Manage, review, and monitor claims in pre-suit and litigation stages;
• Communicate with various State regulatory officials, attorneys and consultants on compliance, litigation and legislative topics related to claims;
• Update senior management team of monthly claims activity and monitoring large loss development, as well as changes in processes;
• Oversee the claims planning and implementation required for Company expansion into additional States, programs, and lines;  
• Partner with other internal Gulfstream departments (Underwriting, IT, Marketing, Products, Legal and Compliance) to achieve goals and meet budget restraints;
• Translate business change initiatives into executable and successful action plans;
• Complete special projects as assigned by the President and CEO.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Technical competencies:

• Minimum of 15 years of claims experience with property & casualty insurer, MGA, or similar organization;
• Florida experience is required, with additional Texas experience preferred;
• Excellent knowledge of the property & casualty business and familiarity with a broad spectrum of claims issues, property and liability;
• Strong knowledge of coverage, claims handling and investigative procedures;
• Strong analytical, project management, negotiation and organizational skills;
• Professional insurance certification such as CPCU, or other claims related designation;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop relationships and communicate with all levels of management inside and outside of the company;
• Experience with vendor claim support systems and applications, including Xactimate;
• Preferred insurance experience: residential property,residential liability, and litigation management;
• 4-year college degree in Business, Insurance or other related work experience;
• Adjuster licenses as needed to perform duties.

Personal competencies:

• Self-motived;
• Able to champion change;
• Drives accountability;
• Ability to adapt professionally and rapidly to the organization’s vision;
• Strong business acumen, analytical and decision making skills;
• Continual concerted actions towards professional and skill development;
• Emphasis on strong organization and documentation skills;
• Capable of implementing creative and effective solutions;
• Excellent written and verbal communication;
• Ability to communicate and work with internal staff, customers, vendors, and guests in a positive and professional manner fostering well-rounded relationships;
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of company and customer information;
• Personal alignment with Company’s core values - including integrity, respect, transparency, and resourcefulness.

DIRECT REPORTS:  None

EMPLOYING COMPANY:  Gulfstream Property and Casualty MGA, Inc.

BACKGROUND SCREENING:  All candidates required to undergo a background screening.

CLASSIFICATION:  Exempt

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• This position requires the ability to sit for long periods of time and extensive work on computer and electronic communication. 
• Position requires frequent overnight auto/air travel.

ABOUT GULFSTREAM:

Based in Sarasota, Florida, Gulfstream writes residential insurance in states along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.  With revenues of $150 million in 2017, Gulfstream continues to expand and grow responsibly.

Although its revenues are large, Gulfstream operates with a small staff of 32 employees and consultants.  Approximately two thirds are based in our Sarasota home office, while others work remotely in the field.  

We are expected to excel in our work with minimal supervision and proactively provide assistance outside of our defined areas as the need and capacity to do so arises. 

Gulfstream Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“GSIC”) is a licensed property and casualty insurance company.  Affiliated company Gulfstream Property and Casualty MGA, Inc. (“GMGA”) is a licensed managing general agent.  GMGA is the employer of Gulfstream employees.

Gulfstream focuses on states that are prone to hurricane and other catastrophic risks.  GSIC is licensed in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and South Carolina.  Gulfstream has a relatively traditional and conservative philosophy in writing business and underwriting risk.   Our reinsurance program is one of the most robust and conservative in the Southeastern United States.

Gulfstream benefits from the larger resources and 140-year history of Seibels, which provides policy, claims and administrative services to Gulfstream.

ABOUT LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL.:  Gulfstream’s home office is located in the Lakewood Ranch corporate park, in Sarasota County.  This ideal location is just minutes from the community of Lakewood Ranch and the restaurants and shops of Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street and the new University Town Center, and a half hour from downtown Sarasota.