Complex Claims Director - Definity, Montreal

Role Overview

As a Complex Claims Director at Definity in Montreal, you will be a lawyer responsible for expertly managing claims under various specialised policies. This includes cyber liability, directors’ and officers’ liability, employment practices liability, fidelity and crime, and other miscellaneous professional liability policies. Your primary focus will be on conducting thorough coverage analyses, investigations, evaluations, and dispositions of claims to ensure superior customer service and optimal results. This role involves effectively managing assigned Financial Lines claims of moderate severity or complexity, while actively interacting and collaborating with both claim and underwriting colleagues.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough coverage analysis, investigation, negotiation, and resolution for moderate to high-severity claims with moderate supervision.
• Prepare reports for management that accurately reflect loss development, potential financial exposure, coverage issues, and claim strategies.
• Identify and coordinate all recovery opportunities and efforts.
• Retain, monitor, manage, and approve payments to outside counsel for routine litigation matters, actively using litigation management plans and budgets.
• Answer legal questions from underwriters that impact underwriting decisions, combining legal research with knowledge gained from claim-handling experience.
• Review and draft moderately complex documents, including coverage and reservation of rights letters, releases, and settlement agreements.
• Negotiate settlements and resolutions, both directly and through counsel, using legal arguments relevant to liability, damages, and coverage.
• Draft reference materials to help claim and underwriting colleagues understand laws impacting underwriting and claim decisions.

Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor (LLB/JD) are required.
• Must be a duly qualified practitioner of law in the province of employment.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is preferred, with strong verbal and written communication skills in both languages.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience as a lawyer (in-house or private practice) or in claims handling is required; 4+ years of experience is preferred.
• Prior Financial Lines insurance experience in privacy/cyber, directors' and officers' liability, and errors and omissions liability is ideal.
• Strong negotiation skills and strategies for both litigation and non-litigation contexts.
• Proficiency in drafting transactional documents and communicating legal advice effectively to various stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work through conflict and resolve issues with a professional demeanour.
• Proficiency in MS Office and strong overall technical aptitude.

About Definity

Definity is the parent company behind some of Canada’s most established and innovative insurance brands, including Economical Insurance, Sonnet Insurance, Family Insurance Solutions, and Petline Insurance. Their ambition is to be a leading and innovative property and casualty insurer in Canada, fostering a collaborative, ambitious, rewarding, and empowering culture. Definity embraces and encourages a culture that values inclusion, diversity, and equity, recognizing them as essential to their success. They offer a flexible, hybrid work experience where employees balance office and virtual work.

Definity has been recognized by Great Place to Work® as one of the Best Workplaces™ in Canada for women, for youth, and for inclusion. They are committed to reconciliation, acknowledging that their work takes place on the lands now known as Canada, and recognize the enduring presence, wisdom, and stewardship of Indigenous peoples.

What’s in it for you:

• Hybrid work schedule for most roles
• Company share ownership program
• Incentive Program – Eligible employees may participate in various incentive plans which are paid out at the discretion of the company and subject to individual and company performance.
• Pension and savings programs, with company-matched RRSP contributions
• Paid volunteer days and company matching on charitable donations
• Educational resources, tuition assistance, and paid time off to study for exams
• Focus on inclusion with employee groups, support for gender affirmation surgery, access to BIPOC counsellors, access to programs for working parents
• Wellness and recognition programs
• Discounts on products and services