Division Claims Manager - Workers' Compensation

Position Title: Division Claims Manager Location: Orange, CA Job Id: 1549 # of Openings: 1 Reports To: Executive Vice President, Workers Compensation FLSA Status: Exempt Job Grade: 17 Position Summary Athens Administrators has an immediate need for a full-time Division Claims Manager to support our Workers Compensation department by leading a team of supervisors in our Southern California market. Management who live less than 36 miles from the Orange, CA offices and have a direct report in the office are required to work once a week in the office. The remaining days can be worked remotely if technical requirements are met and the employee resides in Southern California. Athens offices are open Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time. The schedule for this position is Monday-Friday. Primary Responsibilities Strategic & Operational Leadership Serve as a member of the Senior Operations Group (SOG), collaborating with executives on company initiatives, process improvements, and performance goals. Oversee claims operations to ensure regulatory compliance, consistent application of best practices, and high-quality claim outcomes. Lead process optimization efforts, leveraging data and cross-departmental partnerships to enhance efficiency and client results. Ensure accurate and consistent claims coding, reserve practices, diary maintenance, and overall file quality across the division. Review audit results and incorporate findings into department quality initiatives. Team Leadership, Coaching & Development Provide daily guidance, coaching, and direct supervision to Claims Supervisors and partial supervision to Hearing Representatives, Investigators, and other ancillary staff. Lead staff meetings, communicate company priorities, and foster an open-door environment that encourages transparency and collaboration. Oversee hiring processes in partnership with Human Resources, including candidate selection, interview evaluation, and feedback. Set clear performance expectations and developmental goals and conduct formal performance evaluations. Address employee relations issues promptly and consistently, working with HR as needed. Support a culture that reflects Athens' values of integrity, collaboration, and service excellence. Client Relationship Management Manage key client relationships by being accessible, proactive, and solutions‑oriented. Respond promptly to client inquiries and identify potential issues before they escalated. Attend client meetings and present annual stewardship reports. Document client interactions and meeting notes in appropriate shared systems. Collaborate with the Sales Team on presentations for prospective clients. Claims Oversight & Technical Expertise Provide daily direction on claim strategy, settlements, reserves, litigation planning, compensability decisions, and overall file handling. Authorize settlement agreements and significant payments within assigned authority limits. Work collaboratively with attorneys, investigators, and medical professionals to resolve complex or sensitive claims. Ensure unit closing goals, reserve accuracy standards, and quality metrics are consistently achieved or exceeded. Training & Knowledge Development Coordinate and deliver claims training for new and existing staff. Promote continuous learning, professional development, and mastery of changing laws, practices, and internal procedures. Accountabilities Supervisory Responsibilities Provide direct supervision to Claims Supervisors and partial direct supervision to ancillary staff, such as Hearing Representatives, investigators, etc. Responsible for performance management of direct reports Fiscal Responsibilities Participate in budget development, forecasting, and cost‑control initiatives. Review and approve staff expense reports and educational reimbursement requests. Ensure expenditures and resource allocation align with company objectives and financial responsibility. Understand and enforce wage and hour laws applicable to supervised staff. Accurately review and approve timecards when required. Managers in the Field Responsibilities For designated branch locations, oversee facility operations including security, maintenance, safety, and parking coordination. Essential Position Requirements Education & Professional Certifications High School Diploma or GED required; AA/AS or BA/BS strongly preferred. Administrators Certificate from Self‑Insurance Plans will be required within one year of employment if not already obtained. Must possess a current Experienced Indemnity Claims Adjuster Designation, provided by an insurer, as defined in California Code of Regulations, Title 10, Chapter 5, Subchapter 3, Section 2592.01(f). Completion of IEA coursework or equivalent. Experience Requirements Minimum 3 years of supervisory experience, including hiring, training, coaching, developing, directing, and retaining staff. Minimum 2 years of management experience in a Workers’ Compensation office. Prior Workers’ Compensation claims handling experience, including reserve management, case valuation, and settlement negotiation. Prior Third‑Party Administrator (TPA) experience preferred. Technical & Industry Knowledge Strong understanding of Workers’ Compensation laws, policies, procedures, and best practices. Proficiency in evaluating claim exposure, quality file handling, and guiding claims to appropriate resolution. Understanding of medical and legal terminology. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; able to learn additional systems and leverage technology to improve efficiency. Strong mathematical and analytical abilities. Ability to type accurately and for sustained periods. Results & Operational Excellence Ability to plan, organize, and delegate workload to ensure timely and high‑quality outcomes. Strong attention to detail; able to audit own work and participate in peer review. Commitment to continuous improvement, process optimization, and adopting new methods or tools. Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to changing instructions, client needs, and business priorities. Ability to meet or exceed audit standards, unit closing goals, diary timeliness, reserve accuracy, and other quality metrics. Ability to use cross‑departmental resources to support strategic initiatives and drive results. Demonstrates flexibility and composure in demanding, changing, or high‑pressure situations. Leadership, Coaching & People Management Consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, cooperative spirit, and strong interpersonal effectiveness. Skilled in developing staff through coaching, feedback, performance management, and formal development plans. Maintains an open‑door policy, fosters transparency, and encourages open communication. Demonstrates self‑awareness and accountability; models integrity, professionalism, and resilience. Able to communicate organizational updates and leadership directives clearly to staff. Skilled in managing employee relations issues and working collaboratively with HR to ensure timely, consistent actions. Ability to support recruitment efforts through timely resume review, interview participation, and constructive candidate feedback. Contributes to a respectful, compassionate, team‑oriented culture consistent with company values. Client Relationship Management & Service Commitment Strong client service orientation; responds promptly and works urgently to resolve issues. Able to proactively manage client relationships, conduct service calls, and identify potential problems before they escalated. Demonstrates integrity and consistently acts in the best interest of clients. Ability to document client interactions and meeting notes in appropriate shared locations. Manages staff resources, time, recognition funds, and operational tools efficiently. Participates in annual budgeting and forecasting; able to anticipate and justify department expenses. Uses monitoring and reporting mechanisms to control costs without compromising quality. Identifies opportunities for cost savings or process efficiencies. Understands and applies wage and hour regulations as they pertain to supervised staff. When applicable, completes accurate, timely timecard reviews and approvals. Professionalism, Integrity & Confidentiality Athens’ operations involve handling confidential, proprietary, and highly sensitive information, such as health records, client financials, and other personal data. Maintaining honesty and integrity is essential for all roles within the company. Acts with integrity, honesty, and professionalism in all interactions and decisions. Dependable, trustworthy, team‑oriented, and aligned with company values. Ability to attend frequent in‑office meetings and file reviews. Willingness to attend off‑site client meetings and conferences. Valid driver’s license and availability for travel, including overnight. Benefits Athens Administrators is dedicated to fair and equitable compensation for our employees that is both competitive and reflective of the market. The estimated rate of pay can vary depending on skills, knowledge, abilities, location, labor market trends, experience, education including applicable licenses & certifications, etc. Our ranges may be modified at any time. In addition, eligible employees may be considered annually for discretionary salary adjustments and/or incentive payments. We offer a variety of benefit plans including Medical, Vision, Dental, Life and AD&D, Long Term Care, Critical Care, Accidental, Hospital Indemnity, HSA & FSA options, 401k (and Roth), Company‑Paid STD & LTD and more! Further information about our comprehensive benefits package may be found on our website at Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Athens Administrators is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, termination, promotions, or any other condition of employment or career development. Job Description Disclaimer This description portrays in general terms the type and levels of work performed and is not intended to be all‑inclusive or represent specific duties of any one incumbent. The knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired through a combination of formal schooling, self‑education, prior experience, or on‑the‑job training. #J-18808-Ljbffr ATHENS ADMINISTRATORS