Vice President, Surety Claims Expert

Location:       Schaumburg, IL*

Looking for an opportunity to apply your legal expertise to some of the most interesting claims in the surety market? Join the Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Credit & Surety Claims team, where complex legal, technical, and commercial issues call for sound judgment, creative problem-solving, and effective collaboration.

About the Role

As a Claims Expert on the Credit & Surety team, you will apply your legal expertise and commercial judgment to investigate claims, assess contractual obligations and exposures, and develop and execute resolution, litigation, and recovery strategies. These matters often involve complex legal, financial, and technical considerations, requiring close collaboration with underwriters, engineering consultants, and other specialists.

Reporting to the Head of Claims Credit & Surety, US, you will manage claims independently, handling legal and commercial matters directly and engaging outside counsel and consultants when appropriate. You will also contribute your expertise to a highly experienced team and support the continued growth of our Credit & Surety business.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate, evaluate, negotiate, and resolve complex surety claims, disputes, and salvage issues involving contract and commercial bonds
• Maximize salvage and recovery collections through proactive claims management and pursuit of available contractual and legal remedies
• Manage complex disputes and litigation, whether directly or in partnership with outside counsel
• Engage and oversee external experts, including outside counsel, engineering consultants, accountants, and other technical specialists to evaluate contractor performance, project status, financial exposures, and resolution options
• Establish, adjust, and maintain accurate loss and loss adjustment expense reserves in accordance with applicable guidelines
• Collaborate with underwriting and other internal and external stakeholders to provide claims insight, assess complex exposures, and support sound business decisions
• Provide responsive, high-quality service to insureds, brokers, agents, and other stakeholders through timely communication, clear expectations, and thorough claims management
• Coach and mentor colleagues, share technical expertise, and contribute to cross-functional initiatives and continuous improvement across the Claims organization

About the Team

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has been providing contract and commercial surety solutions in North America for more than 40 years, serving contractors, businesses, governments, and other private and public sector clients through a network of specialized underwriters and broker partners. Backed by Swiss Re's global financial strength and extensive surety expertise, the business provides solutions ranging from traditional construction bonds to complex commercial and international guarantees. Credit & Surety is an important area of strategic investment and growth for Corporate Solutions.

Our Credit & Surety Claims team comprises 10 experienced professionals, including attorneys and claims specialists with deep legal, technical, and commercial expertise. Together, we manage a substantial portfolio of claims, ranging from relatively straightforward matters to highly complex disputes requiring sophisticated legal analysis, technical expertise, and recovery strategies.

We work closely with underwriters, external specialists, and colleagues across Corporate Solutions to deliver thorough, responsive claims service. Our commitment to timely decisions, clear communication, and delivering on our promises is an important part of how Swiss Re differentiates itself in the market.

About You

You are an experienced surety claims manager with strong analytical skills, sound commercial judgment, and the ability to navigate complex legal and contractual matters. You bring a practical, solutions-oriented approach to resolving disputes, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

We are looking for candidates who meet these requirements:

• Minimum 4+ years of experience handling complex surety-related matters, including claims, litigation, construction contracts, or related legal disputes; JD strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of surety bond obligations, construction contracts, contractual liability, and related legal and commercial considerations
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing claims resolution, litigation, and recovery strategies, including negotiation of complex disputes and settlements
• Excellent analytical and legal reasoning skills, with the ability to evaluate complex information, exercise independent judgment, and develop practical, well-supported recommendations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex legal and technical issues into clear, actionable advice for diverse audiences
• Proven ability to manage relationships with external counsel, technical experts, and other third-party stakeholders
• Familiarity with insurance reserving practices and loss adjustment expense management would be advantageous
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally as needed
• Current Claims Adjuster license or willingness to obtain one after hire, with support from Swiss Re

The estimated base salary range for this position in Schaumburg is $116,000 to $194,000. The specific salary offered for this, or any given role will take into account a number of factors including but not limited to job location, scope of role, qualifications, complexity/specialization/scarcity of talent, experience, education, and employer budget. At Swiss Re, we take a "total compensation approach" when making compensation decisions. This means that we consider all components of compensation in their totality (such as base pay, short-and long-term incentives, and benefits offered), in setting individual compensation.

*Note on location: Our company has a hybrid work model where the expectation is that you will be in the office at least three days per week. Although our preferred location is Schaumburg, IL, where the majority of the team is based, we will consider exceptional candidates who are located near one of our other main US offices and able to meet a hybrid work requirement.