Senior Claims Associate

About the company

Steamship Mutual is a P&I insurance company, with 250 employees worldwide. The main office is based near Liverpool Street station, London. We have offices in Bermuda, Brazil, Cyprus, Greece, Hong Kong, Japan, New York, and Singapore.

Overall Job Purpose

The role sits within the European Syndicate and will entail providing P&I and FD&D claims handling service and advice to Members based primarily in Switzerland, as well as across other European jurisdictions. The role includes handling complex claims, advising on coverage and liability issues, and supporting Members through dispute resolution, litigation, and settlement.

Key Responsibilities

• To promote the relationship between the Club and existing Members for which the Claims team is responsible and represent the Club at a senior level.
• To handle assigned claims in accordance with company procedures, provide advice and support on claims-related issues and identify the need for loss prevention activity.
• To assist the Claims Director in the allocation, delegation, monitoring and supervision of claims work where it is appropriate to do so and ensuring consistency of claims handling across the team.
• To process large claims in line with company operating procedures in circumstances where requested to do so by the Claims Director and where it is appropriate for such claims to be handled by a Senior Associate.
• To provide cover in absence of Claims Director.
• To assist in the development of the capabilities of other members of the claims team to maximise their potential.
• Able to demonstrate an expertise within a claim area and be able to provide guidance in this subject to other members of the team.
• To ensure that all electronic correspondence, whether received or sent, relating to claim files assigned to the particular individual is promptly and correctly filed in accordance with the agreed working practices and to maintain and keep updated such e:files.
• To contribute to the continuous development of company procedures and systems.
• To produce relevant articles for inclusion in Club publications.
• To participate in meetings / engagements with brokers and service providers including Club correspondents and lawyers.
• Understands the importance of the Club/Member relationship and able to identify areas of additional service that will add value to the relationship.
• Able to take a lead on case management.
• Ability to break down and solve problems through quantitative thinking and analysis.
• To support the Syndicate Underwriting objectives.
• To carry out any other duties that are within the scope of personal skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed.
• To attend appropriate training and to develop relevant knowledge and skills.
• To perform any other ad hoc duties as required.

Person Specification

• Proven experience in handling shipping litigation and dispute resolution, gained within either another P&I club, insurer, law firm, ship owner or ship agent.
• Qualified lawyer (preferably English-qualified) with up to 5 years’ PQE, including experience advising commodity traders, or Degree Educated (LLB or LLM in Maritime Law or equivalent) with at least 5 years’ relevant industry experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting advice, corresponding with Members, lawyers and brokers, presenting, and reporting internally.
• Strong negotiating skills and confidence leading discussions with opponents, experts, and brokers.
• Ability to build and maintain effective business relationships internally and externally.
• Highly organised, motivated, and enthusiastic with an excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to deliver high quality work within agreed timeframes, with the ability to manage a varied caseload effectively.
• Knowledge of an additional European language is desirable but not essential.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work collaboratively within a team environment.
• Ability to mentor and support junior claims handlers, contributing to team development and knowledge sharing.

What you will get

Joining our collaborative, supportive and friendly working environment, you will enjoy a rewarding career with the opportunity to build on your existing skills and knowledge. We offer great work life balance initiatives, including competitive hybrid working policy. Clear and transparent career pathway – offering you continued support with enhancing your skills and creating employment development opportunities. We offer free educational access to the Protection & Indemnity Qualification, created by the International Group of P&I Clubs. An attractive benefits package which includes private healthcare. We also provide competitive health subsidy, and access to our comprehensive wellbeing and savings programme throughout the year, to create an environment that supports everyone’s mental and physical health.

Company Values

• Mutuality – ensuring fairness amongst Club Members
• Integrity – upholding high ethical, legal, and regulatory standards
• Safety and Sustainability – contributing to safety of life at sea and the preservation of the environment.
• Transparency – building strong relationships based on trust and open communication.
• Excellence – enabling our people to realise their full potential as team members, industry experts, leaders, and managers.
• Collaborative – embracing flexibility, diversity, and inclusivity.