Director / Counsel, Claims Litigation

This position is responsible for the development and execution of short- and long-term plans to evaluate, mitigate and efficiently control general and auto liability claims expense. The Claims Director partners with internal and external stakeholders to identify, measure and manage claims, including development and implementation of risk control and mitigation solutions within business operations. This position will develop and execute litigation claim management strategies that will assist in the reduction of self-funded loss costs to the company. The Director will manage a team of internal and external claims professionals handling a high-volume claim portfolio of open-litigated liability claims.

Primary responsibility is to manage complex general liability claims, while driving measurable reductions in claim expense and total cost of risk. This role builds solid relationships with internal and external clients, vendors and industry groups to ensure Dollar Tree maintains a “Best in Class” claims process.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities - Primary responsibilities listed in order of importance

• Manage complex litigated general liability, auto liability and other claims as required to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
• Partner with other internal business partners on claims to develop case strategies.
• Work with external business partners like Third Party Administrator (TPA) claims examiners, outside counsel, and investigators on liability matters.
• Assist in the development and review of panel counsel network.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of defense firms.
• Manage litigation budgets, evaluate adequacy of case reserves and advise on adjustments where necessary.
• Work with legal spend management vendors, review and approve firm enrollment, attorney rates and timekeepers. Review and approve requests for exceptions, experts, travel and other significant expenses.
• Provide approval authority to TPA representatives for settlement of cases and approve increases in case reserves up to assigned authority levels.
• Provide insurance underwriters with updates on high severity cases.
• Review and update discovery library.
• Attend claim mediations and trials as needed.
• Initiate audits and file reviews at TPA and defense counsel firms. Assess performance and implement target goals for improvement.
• Conduct analysis of claims data to facilitate decisions on liability claims program structure, staffing, program adjustments for maximum results, and use of additional resources to augment TPA capabilities.
• Ensure that insurance coverage positions on claims are consistent with our policy language and contracts.
• Partner with Dollar Tree insurance carrier claim executives on strategy, counsel evaluation, reserve adequacy and ensure insurance carriers are on notice on high severity claims.
• Manage high severity incident response protocol.
• Utilize tools to manage tender, subrogation and recovery processes.
• Coordinate and set procedures for the preservation of data for legal holds associated with claims, litigation and investigations.
• Coordinate claims reduction strategies with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Conduct financial analyses of claim metrics to evaluate trends in program costs, losses, and the effectiveness of process improvement initiatives.
• Report claims updates, metrics and costs to internal stakeholders.
• Stay current with key changes in the legal and regulatory environment.
• Special projects assigned by Vice President, Risk Management.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Juris Doctor (JD) and active state bar membership required if serving in a Counsel capacity.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible claims and/or litigation experience, with significant experience managing complex, litigated general liability and auto liability matters across multiple states.
• Demonstrated experience managing high-severity and complex litigated claims, including development of litigation strategy, evaluation of liability and damages, settlement negotiations, mediations, and trial preparation.
• Experience working with and directing outside defense counsel, third-party administrators (TPAs), insurance carriers, brokers, and other claims partners.
• Strong knowledge of general liability, auto liability, litigation management, claims practices, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate claim exposure, establish appropriate case strategy, and identify opportunities to reduce claim costs and improve litigation outcomes.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate investigations, medical records, damages, legal issues, reserves, and settlement strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with senior leadership, attorneys, claim professionals, business partners, and external vendors.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex matters and priorities in a high-volume, fast-paced environment while meeting critical deadlines.
• Strong collaborative and proactive leadership style with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology, injury evaluation, medical treatment protocols, and civil litigation procedures.
• Ability to travel as business needs require, including occasional travel on short notice.

Desired Qualifications - Desired but not required.

• Professional Insurance Designation – SCLA, ARM, CPCU, etc.
• Experience working in a corporate risk management department
• Retail experience
• Risk management experience, background and/or education
• Intermediate technology skills related to Excel, queries, and insurance company risk management information systems

Start Rate = $150,000 to $171,500 based on experience plus 25% bonus and equity.

The company offers Health, Dental, & Vision, a flexible spending account, life and disability insurance benefits, a 401k plan, PTO, paid holidays annually, and an employee stock purchase plan.