Head of Claims Development & Operations in Newcastle upon Tyne

The Head of Claims Development and Operations will be expected to grow and enhance our volume claims and disputes offerings. Working collaboratively with internal and external client teams, and exploring the market, they will seize on new business and product opportunities. Building on existing relationships and helping to forge new ones, those services and initiatives can be of all sizes and scope, from low volume transactions to high volume and fully outsourced managed services. They may range from pseudo-legal complaints or pre-litigation cases, to County Court or Alternative Dispute Resolution pathways. The Head of Claims Development and Operations will oversee the commercial success and client service delivery of our offerings, whilst providing support to teams around our global network.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and oversee the operational strategies and service delivery for internal and external clients as well as the Claims Team’s own strategic roadmap.
• Accountable for the financial performance, profitability and growth of the Claims Team.
• Team leadership (including talent development, recruitment, performance) with support from the Claims Team Manager.
• Drive improvements to service and commercial performance of those matters and ensure services are delivered in accordance with regulatory, risk and quality requirements.
• Building relationships and working with senior stakeholders to engage in new business development opportunities, monitoring market trends and emerging opportunities.
• Leveraging use of technology and innovation, acting as product owner for claims solutions or products where required.
• Working closely with internal pricing and business development teams as required to produce accurate requirements and competitive value for service.
• Designing, producing and analysing client or internal case management data.
• Maintaining a presence, traveling to other NRF and client offices and acting as the subject matter lead for volume claims operations, supporting teams and clients across jurisdictions.

Qualifications

Essential

• Significant experience in claims operations, dispute management, or high-volume case management environments.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing operational and commercial strategies that drive growth, efficiency and client satisfaction.
• Experience identifying and securing new business opportunities and developing scalable service offerings.
• Strong commercial acumen, including responsibility for service delivery, profitability and performance improvement.
• Proven leadership experience, with the ability to build, manage and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence clients, partners and senior leaders.
• Experience driving technology, automation and innovation initiatives to improve client outcomes and operational performance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to inform decision-making.
• Excellent organisational, project management and planning skills.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.

Desirable

• Experience within legal services, insurance, financial services or other regulated environments.
• Experience of managed services, outsourcing or large-scale operational delivery models.
• Knowledge of complaints handling, dispute resolution, ADR or litigation processes.
• Experience of digital transformation, workflow automation or AI-enabled solutions.

The Claims Team complements our wider disputes practice and sits in Newcastle, providing end-to-end claims and dispute management services. The team delivers scalable, technology-enabled solutions across complaints handling, pre-litigatio disputes, ADR and litigation support, ranging from bespoke engagements to large-volume managed services.