Auto Damage Claims Manager

Location: Van Wert, OH; Dublin, OH; Alpharetta, GA; Irving, TXWork Model: Hybrid or RemotePosition type: Full time - salary     We’re a team of employees passionate about delivering best-in-class customer service and driving innovation in claims management. Integrity, relationships, and excellence are at the heart of everything we do. Our employees fully utilize their talents and bring their best selves to work. We believe who you are is just as important as what you do! If you're energized by leading teams, improving results, and elevating claim quality, this role is for you. The Auto Damage Claims Manager drives workflow, coaching, and technical excellence to ensure fair, efficient claim outcomes—supporting disciplined reserving, strong negotiations, proactive customer service, and compliant handling from first notice through resolution. You'll collaborate with leaders and partners to continuously improve how we serve customers and agencies.    Key Responsibilities of the Role   Proactively perpetuates the culture, embraces our core values, welcomes diverse perspectives to foster innovation, and works appropriately across departments and across offices to accomplish the corporate objectives and priorities Manages workflow and resources appropriately--staffing, workloads, and performance management when needed Communicates strategy, priorities, and expectations and does so often to ensure the team is aligned in the claims mission and understands their relationship with the wider organization Executes on strategy for claims Mission of Hospitality, Outcomes and Efficiency at Team and individual level Develops and trains team on claim handling excellence Develops and maintains excellent rapport with the team, internal stakeholders and agency force Collaborates with peers and Claims leadership on Claims strategy and continuous improvement efforts Monitors claims reserves and payments on claims in unit Reviews files for coaching and direction on technical excellence in claims Ensures team is managing assigned volume of auto damage claims with hospitality, optimal claim outcomes, and efficiency through the life of the claim Ensures team is investigating, evaluating, negotiating and settling assigned claims within authority limits Leads team to assess vehicle damages, including negotiating total loss settlements and working collaboratively with salvage team Leads team to develop and follow strategic action plans throughout the life of the file Ensures team is providing proactive customer service by appropriately setting expectations, building rapport, and responding to requests timely Ensures team is building relationships and appropriately communicating with agency partners, internal and external stakeholders Ensures team understands all applicable coverage forms and is providing thorough and timely coverage analysis and communication Instructs team to conduct thorough and timely claim investigations including utilization of ISO Leads team to implement proper recognition, investigation, referral and communication regarding subrogation Ensures team is setting accurate initial reserves in a timely manner and is continually reviewing accuracy in the context of ultimate probable exposure Instructs team to detect and mitigate fraud when investigating claims Leads team to execute on coverage documentation, use of Reservation of Rights, Non-Waivers, and coverage letters Ensures team is completing liability determination and analysis Instructs team to obtain, analyze and evaluate damage documentation, implement appropriate control of rental/loss of use, and mitigate advanced charges Leads team to make sure team is implementing appropriate consideration of file expenses and approved suppliers are used Ensures paid losses are managed appropriately; adjuster is paying what is fair and owed and is settling claims at the optimal time in the life of the file Leads team development with subject matter expertise training and onboarding. Ensures team is assisting in team development with subject matter expertise learning, and onboarding assistance Completes performance appraisals and participates in salary recommendations Assists in selection of new employees Handles special projects and initiatives as assigned Evaluates performance of the team and individuals of the team; hold team accountable and obtains results Coach and develop adjuster performance on alternative dispute resolution, litigation strategy and effective collaboration with defense counsel to lead and develop activity through the litigation process   Required Qualifications   Bachelor’s degree and 6 years claims experience with demonstrated expertise in investigating, evaluating, negotiating, and settling of claims Or 8 years of claims experience with demonstrated expertise in investigating, evaluating, negotiating, and settling of claims Travel required as needed Preferred Qualifications   CPCU, SCLA or AIC designations Prior managerial experience, preferably in a claims setting Demonstrated leadership capabilities  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities   Ability to train, develop, motivate, and evaluate the performance of employees Strong leadership skills and ability to analyze information and make effective decisions Ability to lead by example through coaching, integrity, positive attitude; exhibiting initiative in daily work and efforts in professional development activities (exemplifying our core values) Effectively communicate in collaborative manner both verbally and in writing Skilled in change management Possess a positive, professional, cooperative, and quality-conscious service attitude Manage and understand external vendor resources Ability to lead through complex coverage analysis and resolution strategies Proficient in Microsoft Suite Possesses analytical and problem-solving skills Possess an innovative and continuous improvement mindset Ability to work under pressure, deal with interpersonal conflict, and handle a heavy workload Ability to professionally interact with our customers Ability to understand Central Insurance’s policies and processes Ensures the team is complying with state regulatory/statutory requirements, corporate privacy and other claim policy requirements Ensures statutory and legal compliance   Total Rewards Central establishes base pay based on several factors including labor market data and an evaluation of candidate qualifications relative to role requirements. Base pay is one component of a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support employees’ financial, health, career, and retirement objectives. Central provides extensive health and wellness benefits to promote flexibility, work-life balance, and long-term financial security. For more information, see Central Insurance Benefits