Costs Negotiator

Costs Negotiator

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Permanent – Full Time

Location: Bolton

Description

Managing a reduced caseload to review, assess and negotiate settlement of costs matters and deal with all procedural aspects and pleadings until settlement or assessment of costs. To provide costs advice to clients and the main teams, and to negotiate costs on a variety of matters delivering savings for our clients. Supervising, mentoring and coaching others through the Competency matrix

It is important that the job holder can quickly review files & formulate initial costs strategy, provide comprehensive advice to clients, commence early telephone negotiations with other side and liaise, as required, with Insurers throughout the life of the file. You need to be able to build strong working relationships with both your colleagues in Costs and with the wider business. Strong decision making in order to give clear directions to supervisees and in own problem cases

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for management of own caseload using in-house case management system including timely and accurate maintenance of the system along with billing and management information – ensuring completeness of records to aid business decision making.
• Reviewing, advising and negotiating end of life costs claimed, including drafting Points of Dispute and considering and responding to replies.
• Responsible for achieving a daily chargeable hour target, managing workload to meet service level agreements and critical dates.
• Delegation of tasks where available and appropriate to other members of the team.
• Reviewing files, including strategy setting and identifying strengths and weaknesses and preparing a document to reflect this.
• Supervising and coaching others through the competency matrix
• Preparing cost strategy reports, updating through the life of the case.
• Provide written updates by email or letter to clients detailing case activity to ensure that they receive up to date and accurate information about progress when requested.
• Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with Client requirements.
• Negotiating costs advantageous to our clients.
• Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls.
• Meeting agreed performance targets.
• Drafting relevant applications and/or opposing applications Instruct Counsel or Costs Lawyer to attend Detailed Assessment or alternatively conduct own advocacy.

Working Hours: 35 hours per week Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm with 1 unpaid hour for lunch. Primary location for this role is Bolton.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Experience of negotiating costs, including preparing points of dispute, considering replies proceeding cases to PA and DA.
• Good standard of education – 3 GCSE’s grade C or above or equivalent, including maths and English
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal including previous experience of client liaison.
• Good telephone negotiation skills
• Previous experience of handling own caseload, and meeting service level agreements and key performance indicators.
• Ability to use own initiative.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Ability to make decisions.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to act as part of a team.
• Proficient IT skills.

Desirable:

• Education – Degree and/or LPC and/or ALCD or equivalent. Conducted own advocacy.

Job Benefits

• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service(opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Family Cover Private Medical Insurance ( Bupa) – will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining.
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
• Death in Service
• Critical Illness Cover
• PHI/Income Protection ( Private health insurance)
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

*after successfully completing probation