Claims Supervisor




Department: Professional and Commercial Risk - Claims Handling




Employment Type: Permanent




Location: Bristol




Description



Our Professional Negligence Team specialises in advising professionals and their insurers when negligence claims arise. We work across a variety of service lines, including law, construction, architecture, property consultants, financial services, and accounting, offering tailored advice for each sector. Our expertise covers a wide range of claims, from straightforward disputes to complex, high-value cases, assessing professional standards and mitigating risks for our clients. We also handle management liability claims i.e. directors and officers and employment practices liability claims.



We take a proactive approach to resolving disputes, often employing creative solutions to avoid litigation where possible. The team is also well-versed in alternative dispute resolution methods, helping to achieve favourable outcomes efficiently and cost-effectively. Through our deep knowledge of industry-specific standards and regulations, we ensure that our clients receive expert guidance on navigating claims in their respective fields.



The Professional Negligence Team sits within the wider Professional and Commercial Risks team in our Bristol office. The team is ranked in Tier 1 in both the Legal 500 and Chambers directories, with a number of leading individuals named. It includes commercial litigation together with the longest established professional negligence team in Bristol, acting for most of the leading insurers, as well as large professional services firms themselves including leading global surveyors, solicitors and insurance brokers. Alongside the team sits a market leading claims handling team, DAC Beachcroft Specialist Claims Services, handling several thousand professional indemnity, management liability, general liability and cyber claims on an outsourced basis on behalf of London Market Insurers.



This role is a claims handling/paralegal role within the Professional Negligence Team handling Professional Negligence claims, Directors and Officers and Employment Practices Liability claims.




Key Responsibilities



The overall purpose of this role is to provide leadership, technical oversight and operational management across a team of Claims Handlers while ensuring the delivery of a timely, professional and high-quality service to clients.




Team Leadership & Management:

• Supervise, coach and support a team of Claims Handlers and support staff.


• Manage workloads and allocate new instructions effectively.


• Monitor performance, conduct regular reviews and support employee development.


• Assist with recruitment, onboarding and training.


• Act as an escalation point for technical, operational and client matters.

Claims & Technical Oversight:

• Oversee the team's caseload, ensuring claims are handled efficiently and in line with client requirements.


• Provide guidance on complex and high-value claims.


• Review key decisions, reserving and settlement strategies.


• Deliver technical coaching and promote best practice across the team.

Client Relationship Management:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, brokers and insureds.


• Act as a senior contact for client queries and escalations.


• Support client meetings, performance reviews and business development activity.


• Ensure consistently high standards of client service.

Operational & Quality Management:

• Ensure compliance with client protocols, regulatory requirements and internal procedures.


• Oversee quality assurance, audits and file reviews.


• Produce and review management information and performance reporting.


• Drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency across the function.


• Ensure confidential information is managed appropriately at all times.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise




Essential:

• Strong academic background.


• Significant experience within insurance claims handling, professional indemnity, management liability, general liability, financial lines or related litigation environments.


• Proven experience supervising, mentoring or leading claims professionals.


• Strong understanding of claims management principles, liability assessment, quantum and coverage considerations.


• Excellent client relationship management skills.


• Strong commercial awareness and decision-making capability.


• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• High level of attention to detail and commitment to quality.


• Strong leadership and people-management skills.

Desirable:

• Previous responsibility for team performance management and workflow allocation.


• Experience working with insurer clients and delegated authority arrangements.


• Knowledge of claims management systems and management information reporting.


• Professional insurance qualifications (CII or equivalent).

Why Us.




Recognised as the best. Ranked Tier 1 in both the Legal 500 and Chambers directories, with a number of leading individuals named.




Trusted by the market. We act for most of the leading insurers and for large professional services firms, and handle several thousand claims on behalf of London Market insurers.




Depth of experience. The longest established professional negligence team in Bristol, with deep knowledge of industry-specific standards and regulation.




Ownership with oversight. Claims handlers own full caseloads and client relationships, backed by structured supervision, quality review and training.




A proven talent pipeline. Former team members are highly regarded when moving into training contracts and NQ roles, because of the volume and quality of experience gained here.




Our culture. We foster an environment of continuous learning and open conversation. Our people stay with us for the majority of their career.