Legal Specialist

Legal Specialist

Location: Newcastle, NSW or Parramatta, NSW

Type: Permanent, full-time hours

The Opportunity

In this role you will provide support to the Litigation Service Manager and wider TMF claims portfolio, playing a central role in developing and enhancing technical and litigated claims management in the business. You will also use your specialist subject matter expertise as part of a high performing and tenured workers compensation litigated claims team to support outcomes in Work Injury Damages, Whole Person Impairment and Recoveries. This opportunity will also require a keen eye for Identifying key litigation risks, in order to develop durable strategies and training to mitigate these in the wider claims branch.

Your new role

As the TMF Legal Specialist, you will use your extensive technical claims experience or legal background in personal law to support the Work Injury Damages and Whole Person Impairment functions of the TMF Litigation team.  Outside of this, you will also act as a subject matter expert in claims litigation strategy and provide leadership assistance to the Litigation Service Manager. 

More broadly, the role supports the TMF litigation strategy, Technical Specialists and claims teams, by providing coaching and guidance on complex matters such as commutation, global resolutions and other significant legal matters. The role may also require you to attend court or informal negotiations as required, and for settlements in PIC.

The key responsibilities for this role include the following:

• Arrange legal provider education for WID, WPI and TS teams. 
• Provide guidance on global settlements of claims and ensure they meet regulatory requirements (Outside litigation portfolio).
• Proactively review potential WID matters and providing strategy – engage with TS and CM to implement strategy. 
• Provide support to Litigation Service Manager for completion of QRP where required.
• Provide support to Litigation Service Manager for monthly legal reports for TMF Agencies where required.
• Provide support to the business for settlements in PIC (outside litigation portfolio) where required. 
• Support the development and implementation of claims litigation strategy to enable delivery of overall business targets.
• Participate in all relevant meetings and projects in order to share and develop strategy, knowledge and best practice. 
• Interpreting on a state level for administering claims due to new or amended legislation.
• Representing QBE in court or in formal negotiations as required.
• Interpreting and breaking down PIC cases as a learning opportunity for claims staff.
• Dealing with claims resolution, including instructing Solicitors, conducting settlement negotiations, and arbitrating conciliations.
• Have a sound understanding of policy, process and procedures that impact technical performance.
• Support the investigation and settlement of high complexity and/or high value claims.
• Ensuring all external regulatory frameworks and policies are complied with by the business operations within reasonable risk and parameters.
• Assess and calculate timely and accurate permanent impairment and other entitlements in line with legislative insurance requirements, guidelines, and organisational procedures for complex claims.
• Managing legal costs to set limits and implementing appropriate claims management strategies and plans.
• Provide guidance and coaching on case management issues in relation to complex technical and legal issues.
• Engage, upskill, educate, and coach teams in effective claims management to mitigate complex risks, barriers, and litigation.
• Support the technical training and development of staff.

Your story so far

• Professional experience in Workers Compensation in either a legal, insurance or employer-based organisation is essential with 5 years of experience.
• Previous experience in managing Work Injury Damages/Whole Person impairment claims is desirable. 
• You have a flexible attitude and a motivated, service-orientated approach that allows you to deliver superior results to your stakeholders and deal with difficult customers confidently and empathetically.
• A high degree of influencing skill partnered with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and communicate  claim trends and risk identified in a litigated claims cohort 

About QBE 

We can never really predict what’s around the corner, but at QBE we’re asking the right questions to enable a more resilient future – helping those around us build strength and embrace change to their advantage.  

We’re an international insurer that’s building momentum towards realising our vision of becoming the most consistent and innovative risk partner.  

And our people will be at the centre of our success. We’re proud to work together, and encourage each other enable resilience for our customers, our environment, our economies and our communities.  

With more than more than 13,000 people working across 27 countries, we’re big enough to make a real impact, but small enough to provide a friendly workplace, where people are down-to-earth, passionate and kind.  

We believe this is our moment – what if it was yours too?  

Your career at QBE — let’s make it happen!  

Benefits  

We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from: 

• ‘Hybrid Working’ – a mix of working from home and in the office to enhance your work/life balance 
• Our ‘Thriving at our Best’ wellbeing program, including free holistic wellbeing coaching, nutritional, confidential counselling, financial and legal advice 
• 18 weeks’ gender-equal flexible leave for all new parents, including paid super 
• The ability to maximise retirement savings through voluntary super contributions and company matching 
• Income protection insurance & reimbursed Death and Total Permanent Disability insurance premiums 
• Additional leave and support through QBE’s Family Domestic Violence First Responder Network 
• Discounts on insurance products, car hire, hotels, goods and services including benefits through our various sports and arts sponsorship partners 

Rewards & Recognition 

We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards: 

• 2021 LinkedIn Top Employer & HRD Employer of Choice 
• 2020 Best Workplace Diversity & Inclusion and Excellence Award for Best Health & Wellbeing at the Australian HR Awards 
• Gold Employer status for 4 years in a row 2019 - 2022 Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) – the definitive national benchmark on LGBTQI+ workplace inclusion 
• Ranked 6th place in the AAGE Top Graduate Employers 2021 as voted by graduates 
• Top 20 Workplaces for Dads in 2019 and 2020 (HBF Direct Advice for Dads) 
• Family First accredited employer since 2021 

Apply now! 

APPLY NOW and let’s make it happen!  

Click APPLY to submit your application. Successful applicants will need to complete work rights, police and credit checks through our online provider as a condition of employment. 

QBE recognise the value of diverse perspectives and experience. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are. If we can provide support with accessibility requirements and adjustments, alternative work arrangements or you would like to connect with one of our employee networks at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us at recruitment@qbe.com