Job title: Head of Insurance and Claims

Salary: Dir 52.5% - £70,210 - £77,020

Hours: Full time

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds

As Head of Insurance and Claims, you’ll bring knowledge and experience of strategic delivery in insurance and claims, together with a passion for driving improvements within Leeds City Council.

You’ll be responsible for leading on the assessment of insurance needs across the authority, working corporately to support our leadership team in managing risks and delivering organisational priorities. You will have knowledge of public sector priorities and procurement policies, enabling you to negotiate and manage insurance contracts cost effectively.

Leeds City Council operates an in-house claims team, and you will be required to lead and oversee the handling of insurance claims, ensuring an appropriate performance and monitoring framework is in place, and driving organisational learning from claims activity to secure value for money.

You’ll make sure that the team follows legislation, and provide clear guidance that applies to their work, and that accurate and timely information is provided to Directors, Chief Officers, Senior Managers, Councillors, and partners when needed.

You’ll be an innovative and compassionate leader, working closely with colleagues, partners, and key stakeholders to plan, manage and continuously improve the revenue services.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our and ambitions.

About you

As our Head of Insurance and Claims, you will bring to the role:

Substantial senior management experience within the insurance and claims environment of a large organisation
Detailed knowledge and understanding of insurance policies and strategies, understanding of local government and experience working on politically sensitive issues
Experience of leading and managing in a claims environment, dealing with complex matters including litigation
Experience of successful leadership and management of transformational projects, successfully implementing change
Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility across sectors to enhance reputation and form positive relationships
Evidence of building relationships with partners and key stakeholders to drive organisational improvement
Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Insurance (or equivalent)

About the role

To lead and manage the insurance and claims functions for the Council, with responsibility for ensuring the council has adequate insurance arrangements in place and leading on the management of insurable risk.
Planning, organising, managing and overseeing the provision of high quality, effective and consistent claims service.
Initiating and developing strategies, plans and policies to support the professional development of the service, ensuring the delivery of compliant, proactive and highly effective professional claims services.
Ensuring the council takes advantage of technological, transformational and other developments within the insurance marketplace, and that insurance systems and arrangements continue to meet the council’s changing needs.
Ensuring alignment with the council’s policies and priorities, and meeting all legal and professional requirements.
Providing advise to the Senior Head of Audit, Corporate Governance and Insurance on insurance arrangements for the council, including the mix of internal and external cover and risk transfer arrangements.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidancefor further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

To give yourself the best chance of being shortlisted for interview, please ensure you describe how you meet the essential requirements for the role, using appropriate examples where appropriate.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Jonathan Foster, Senior Head of Internal Audit, Corporate Governance and Insurance. Call – 0113 37 88684 or email - Jonathan.Foster@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Insurance and Claims Section. Dealing with insurance and claims arrangements, and the management of insurable risk.

Responsibilities

Deliver programmes of strategic significance to the Council to deliver services in line with Council priorities.
Develop and deliver the service plan and continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to cross Council projects, collaborative working with partners and supporting Directorate management teams.
Lead on the assessment of insurance needs across the authority and arranging external insurance and claims related contracts.
Lead and direct the response to queries from officers, Members, MPs, external organisations and the public on insurance and claims issues.
Assist the Senior Head of Audit, Corporate Governance and Insurance in planning, organising, managing and developing the provision of high quality, effective and consistent services, providing strategic leadership and management that adds value and supports the delivery of the Council’s strategic objectives.
Ensure the Council has adequate insurance arrangements in place, provides advice on insurance matters throughout the Council and manages insurance claims (First/Scheme & Third Party) for certain types of claims.
Ensure that the Council takes advantage of technological, transformational and other developments within the insurance marketplace. Ensure that any insurance systems and arrangements continue to meet the Council’s changing needs.
Responsible for the management of the Council’s insurance and claims handling arrangements and the ongoing professional development and training of the section.
Oversee the processing and handling of insurance claims in accordance with relevant protocols and targets, ensuring that there is an appropriate audit and inspection regime in place and that appropriate systems are maintained to record and report claims data.
Liaise with the Claims Litigation section and other relevant stakeholders (internal and external) to ensure best value outcomes for the council in all insurance matters including the management and handling of claims and obtaining agreement for the for the allocation of insurance premiums and claims costs.
Advise the Senior Head of Audit, Corporate Governance and Insurance on insurance arrangements for the Council including the mix of internal and external cover and risk transfer mechanisms.
Provide advice, guidance and direction on associated risk management systems and arrangements.
Agree and establish key performance indicators and targets for the section.
Provide advice to Directors, Senior Management Teams and Members on insurance and claims matters, including addressing issues that may be outside the normal area of work. Representing the Council at boards, committees and other meetings.
In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations
Manage resources and a substantial budget in a cost effective and flexible way that is responsive to a dynamic national, local and political context. You have a thorough understanding of the issues facing the Council within its economic, business, cultural and political environment. Plans are in place to ensure that there is an efficient and sustainable use of resources, employees are effectively employed and budgets are maximised
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.

Qualifications Associate membership of the Chartered Institute of Insurance (or equivalent).

Working Context- Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and region. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Able to demonstrate examples of managing services, implementing change and achieving quality transformational outcomes
Demonstrable understanding of the relationship between insurance and wider risk management considerations.
Detailed understanding of commercial insurance issues affecting Local Government and the wider industry / sector.
Demonstrate knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information and relevant strategic functions e.g. health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues
Experience of leading and managing insurance and claims activities, ideally within a public sector / Local Authority setting.
Experience of negotiating insurance and claims contracts within an appropriate governance framework.
Substantial senior leadership and management experience relevant to the area of service delivery
Experience of working with senior management to shape and influence the delivery of the council’s strategic priorities at a City, Directorate and Service level
Substantial experience in building credible and effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Directors, elected members, Trade Unions, colleagues and partner organisations.
Evidence of significant experience and commitment in relation to the engagement of relevant citizens, customers and stakeholders in decision making processes.
Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team which commands respect trust and confidence

Behavioural & other Characteristics required.

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
Understand and observe Leeds City Council approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.