Claims Director

Mid-Continent Group, a subsidiary of Great American, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, specializes in commercial casualty coverages with an emphasis on general liability for the construction, energy, and difficult-to-place business in other industries. Mid-Continent Group provides a broad selection of General Liability, Commercial Auto, Inland Marine and Umbrella products.

Be Here. Be Great. Working for a leader in the insurance industry means opportunity for you. Great American Insurance Group, a Fortune 500 company, combines “small company” culture with “big company” expertise. Here, your ideas will be heard, and you’ll have the support to succeed. With over 35 specialty and property and casualty operations, there are always opportunities to learn and grow.

At Great American, we value and recognize the benefits derived when people with different backgrounds and experiences work together to achieve business results. Our goal is to create a workplace where all employees feel included, empowered, and enabled to perform at their best.

The Claims Director provides leadership and strategic oversight for Mid‑Continent Group’s most complex and highest exposure casualty claims. This role leads a team of experienced claims professionals handling sophisticated General Liability, Commercial Auto, Construction Injury, and Pollution/Tank Owner Liability losses.

Building on a stable and well‑established foundation, the Claims Director is responsible for advancing claim strategy, strengthening litigation management, and continuing the elevation of team performance. The role emphasizes disciplined evaluation, early identification of value‑driving facts and exposures, and proactive management of high‑stakes litigated matters to support consistent, defensible outcomes.

The Claims Director operates with significant autonomy and accountability, balancing hands‑on technical engagement in critical situations with leadership that enables experienced professionals to perform at a high level. This position requires strong technical judgment, sound decision‑making, and the ability to partner effectively across the enterprise while guiding the team through ongoing operational and systems transitions.

Placement within the Claims Director position will be based on the selected candidate's experience, technical expertise, demonstrated claim handling and leadership capabilities, and overall qualifications. This role provides significant opportunities for professional growth, with potential advancement into additional leadership roles which may include an officer-level Assistant Vice President position.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for a team of approximately 15 professionals managing the organization’s most complex and highest exposure casualty claims.

• Establish and reinforce disciplined claim and litigation strategies, with particular focus on early identification of value‑driving facts, exposures, venues, and damages.

• Engage selectively in high‑exposure and critical litigated matters to ensure appropriate investigation, reserving discipline, and defensible outcomes, intervening to prevent adverse or unexpected results when necessary.

• Direct and oversee litigation management, maintaining close engagement with defense counsel to ensure alignment on strategy, preparation, budgeting, and resolution planning.

• Hold defense counsel accountable for performance, efficiency, and results, including participation in panel selection and ongoing evaluation.

• Lead and develop a seasoned claims team through clear expectations, effective coaching, and direct, meaningful performance management.

• Advance consistency, planning, and execution across the team while guiding professionals through operational and systems transitions, including ClaimCenter implementation.

• Partner with senior Claims leadership and enterprise stakeholders to support aligned strategies, informed decision‑making, and effective communication on significant exposures.

Authority & Accountability

• Owns claim decision‑making and strategic direction for assigned claims and portfolios, exercising independent judgment consistent with organizational standards.

• Authorized to resolve claims, establish reserves, and direct claim strategy within defined authority levels; larger or higher‑profile matters are managed collaboratively with senior Claims leadership.

• Holds authority for the selection, direction, and evaluation of defense counsel, with accountability for litigation strategy, cost management, and outcomes.

• Accountable for team performance, development, and engagement, including coaching, feedback, and performance management actions.

• Expected to take ownership of complex and sensitive matters while maintaining appropriate visibility and communication with senior leadership on significant exposures.

Experience & Qualifications

• Extensive experience handling complex, high‑exposure casualty matters, gained through senior insurance carrier claims leadership and/or substantial litigation practice involving serious bodily injury and liability disputes.

• Demonstrated success managing highly litigated matters with significant severity, complexity, and visibility, including responsibility for strategy, evaluation, and resolution.

• Proven leadership experience guiding experienced professionals, with accountability for outcomes, strategy, and performance.

• Advanced technical judgment in liability analysis, damages evaluation, litigation strategy, negotiation, and risk assessment.

• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high‑stakes situations requiring disciplined analysis, sound judgment, and timely decision‑making.

Company:

Benefits:

We offer competitive benefits packages for full-time and part-time employees*. Full-time employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness plans, parental leave, adoption assistance, and tuition reimbursement. Full-time and eligible part-time employees also enjoy Paid Time Off and paid holidays, a 401(k) plan with company match, an employee stock purchase plan, and commuter benefits.

Compensation varies by role, level, and location and is influenced by skills, experience, and business needs. Your recruiter will provide details about benefits and specific compensation ranges during the hiring process. Learn more at http://www.gaig.com/careers.

*Excludes seasonal employees and interns.