At EMC, we’re all about working together to make an impact. As part of our team, you’ll have the opportunity to grow, contribute, and gain experience that matters. We strive to be caring leaders, close partners, and responsive experts—always supporting each other to do our best work. Join us, and let’s improve lives together.
**Position is eligible to work from home anywhere in the US**
As the Claims Director, you will lead the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of EMC Claims Solutions’ Third-Party Administration (TPA) claims organization. In this role, you'll develop high-performing claims leaders and teams, oversee complex commercial claims, and ensure exceptional service for clients while driving operational excellence. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients, agents, and internal stakeholders, providing guidance on complex claim matters, litigation strategies, reserving practices, and loss trends. Your leadership will directly influence claim outcomes, client satisfaction, regulatory compliance, and business growth. Success in this role means balancing strong claims expertise with strategic leadership—developing talent, enhancing claims processes, leveraging data to drive decisions, and identifying innovative solutions that improve service, strengthen client relationships, and support the continued growth of EMC Claims Solutions.
Essential Functions:
Lead, coach, and develop Claims Solutions supervisors and staff, including performance management, succession planning, hiring, and employee development.
Establish team goals aligned with KPIs and business objectives while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative culture.
Manage staffing, workload distribution, budgets, and resource planning to ensure operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
Provide leadership and technical oversight across General Liability, Workers Compensation, Auto Liability, Auto PD, and Professional Liability claims programs.
Serve as the subject matter expert for complex coverage, liability, reserving, and claim valuation issues.
Review high-exposure, litigated, and escalated claims; provide settlement authority and resolution guidance.
Audit claim files, monitor reserve adequacy, and ensure adherence to claims best practices, client handling instructions, and regulatory requirements.
Build and maintain relationships with clients, agents, vendors, and internal stakeholders while delivering exceptional service.
Communicate significant claim developments, reserve changes, coverage matters, and account activity to key stakeholders.
Analyze loss trends, claim performance, and operational data to develop strategic recommendations and customized client reporting.
Partner with clients to understand business needs and enhance claims processes, reporting capabilities, and service delivery.
Develop and implement claims strategies, operational goals, policies, and staffing recommendations to support business growth.
Oversee compliance, licensing requirements, litigation management, defense counsel performance, and multi-state regulatory matters.
Support business development efforts through client presentations, new account opportunities, vendor evaluations, and innovative service solutions.
Participate in depositions, hearings, settlement conferences, audits, and Department of Insurance matters as needed.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a business or insurance related field, or equivalent relevant experience
Ten years of claims handling experience in progressively responsible roles
Prior management experience
Prior experience handling commercial and workers’ compensation claims
Insurance designations, such as CPCU, AIM, AIC, preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Superior knowledge of the theory and practice of the claim function coupled with analytical ability and demonstrated experience of good judgment with legal liability and coverage
Excellent leadership qualities with ability to motivate staff in the handling and disposition of claims
Excellent knowledge of insurance contracts, medical terminology and legal aspects of court procedures affecting legal liability
Ability to make decisions under challenging circumstances
Excellent ability to translate technical ideas into more general terms for business customers
Excellent knowledge of computers and claims systems, including Microsoft Excel
Superior organizational and written and verbal communication skills
Superior investigative, relationship-building, and problem-solving abilities
Occasional travel; a valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle report per company standards required if driving
The hiring salary range for this position will vary based on geographic location, falling within either of the following:
$121,263 - $174,253 or $134,038 - $191,687A hiring range represents a subset of the full salary range. The actual salary will depend on several factors, including relevant education, skills, and experience of an applicant, geographic location, and business needs.
For information relating to the benefits EMC Team Members receive as part of a comprehensive rewards package, please visit www.emcins.com/careers.
Our employment practices are in accordance with the laws that prohibit discrimination due to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, active military status, citizenship status, marital status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.
All of our locations are tobacco free including in company vehicles.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience
- Ten years of claims handling experience in progressively responsible roles
- Prior management experience
- Prior experience handling commercial and workers' compensation claims
- Insurance designations (CPCU, AIM, AIC)
- Superior knowledge of claims theory, practice, legal liability and coverage
- Excellent leadership and staff management abilities
- Knowledge of insurance contracts, medical terminology and legal court procedures
- Ability to make decisions under challenging circumstances
- Ability to translate technical ideas into general business terms
- Excellent knowledge of computers and claims systems, including Microsoft Excel
- Superior organizational, written and verbal communication skills
- Superior investigative, relationship-building, and problem-solving abilities
- Occasional travel; valid driver's license with acceptable MVR if driving
What We Do
EMC Insurance Companies is among the top 60 insurance organizations in the country based on net written premium, and we have more than 2,500 employees. The company was organized in 1911 to write workers’ compensation protection in Iowa. Today, EMC provides property and casualty insurance products and services throughout the United States and writes reinsurance contracts worldwide. Operating under the trade name EMC Insurance Companies, Employers Mutual Casualty Company and one or more of its affiliated companies is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
