Sr Panel Strategic Relationship Manager
Key details
- Location
- Itasca, IL, United States
- Work style
- Remote
- Level
- Lead / Staff+
- Job type
- Full-time
- Experience
- 8–10 yrs
- Function
- Operations & Strategy
- Focus area
- other
- Posted
- 22h ago
Skills
claims managementlitigation managementoperational risk managementperformance managementproject managementquality auditsrelationship managementvendor management
About the role
Our claims litigation management department is currently seeking a Sr Panel Strategic Relationship Manager to join our growing team. We offer a flexible hybrid work model that supports a blend of in-office and remote work. Fully remote work arrangements are also considered. This is a Full Time/Exempt role.
Position Overview:
The Sr Panel Strategic Relationship Manager provides strategic leadership and oversight of Hanover’s outside counsel panel, ensuring alignment with litigation strategy, business priorities, and operational goals. This role partners with Claims and legal leadership to guide panel governance, firm engagement, and performance management. By leveraging data, insights, and cross‑functional collaboration, the position helps drive consistency, efficiency, and value in the organization’s use of outside counsel.
In this role you will:
Strategic Oversight
Support implementation of panel counsel strategies established by the VP of Claims Panel Management.
Provide high‑level insights and seasoned judgment to support enterprise panel strategy, firm selection, and long‑term portfolio planning.
Participate in strategic initiatives, offering data-backed recommendations and nuanced perspective on litigation trends, operational risk, and firm performance.
Assess law firm performance against Hanover’s performance expectations and deliver actionable insights for continuous improvement.
Participate in cross-functional initiatives and enterprise projects to support litigation strategy and legal operations transformation.
Relationship Management & Escalation Support
Manage a portfolio that includes enterprise level firms and high complexity litigation, ensuring consistent performance, strategic fit, and alignment with business objectives.
Provide expert-level guidance on panel counsel operations, billing practices, rate structures, and compliance with litigation guidelines.
Contribute to shaping, enhancing, and standardizing processes, tools, and performance management approaches across the program.
Facilitate regular stewardship meetings with portfolio firms and internal Claims stakeholders.
Mentorship & Influence
Serve as a senior subject-matter expert supporting peers through mentorship, training, onboarding, and thought leadership.
Influence cross-functional partners through effective communication, analytical insights, and sound business judgment.
Model best practices in vendor management, legal quality assessment, strategic thinking, and enterprise collaboration.
Data & Analytics
Review enterprise‑level analytics, interpret trends, and collaborate with analytics/IT teams to enhance reporting and decision‑making capabilities.
Utilize advanced reporting tools to evaluate firm performance and recommend rate adjustments based on data-driven insights.
Ensure data integrity and accuracy across systems, guide enhancements to analytics processes.
Translate insights into actionable recommendations for leadership and team members.
Operational Excellence
Lead legal quality audits of panel firms to assess performance, compliance, and strategic alignment.
Negotiate rates and proactively explore cost saving measures to ensure fiscal discipline and adherence to enterprise guidelines.
Coordinate enterprise-critical law firm transitions and ensure seamless integration with claims systems, billing platforms, and operational workflows.
Process Improvement
Support the development, implementation, and enforcement of outside counsel processes, tools, and billing guidelines.
Identify litigation trends and recommend process improvements to meet evolving business needs and optimize outcomes.
Respond to internal requests and evaluate new firm additions based on strategic fit, performance history, and business needs.
What you need to apply:
Juris Doctor (JD) and 8-10+ years of experience in litigation, insurance claims, legal operations, billing oversight, or panel counsel management.
Deep understanding of litigation strategy, insurance defense operations, and law firm performance dynamics.
Strong analytical capability; experience working with large datasets, performance dashboards, and enterprise reporting tool.
Proven ability to manage complex escalations, negotiate effectively, and maintain strong professional relationships.
Exceptional communication skills, particularly in high‑stakes or conflicting‑viewpoint environments.
Demonstrated leadership without direct authority—ability to influence cross‑functional teams and serve as a senior advisor.
Strong project management and process‑improvement skills with experience supporting transformational initiatives.
Effective time management and ability to balance competing priorities in a dynamic environment
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Ability to use a personal computer and other standard office equipment
Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods
Required to work on-site as needed
Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing or stressful environment
Position Overview:
The Sr Panel Strategic Relationship Manager provides strategic leadership and oversight of Hanover’s outside counsel panel, ensuring alignment with litigation strategy, business priorities, and operational goals. This role partners with Claims and legal leadership to guide panel governance, firm engagement, and performance management. By leveraging data, insights, and cross‑functional collaboration, the position helps drive consistency, efficiency, and value in the organization’s use of outside counsel.
In this role you will:
Strategic Oversight
Support implementation of panel counsel strategies established by the VP of Claims Panel Management.
Provide high‑level insights and seasoned judgment to support enterprise panel strategy, firm selection, and long‑term portfolio planning.
Participate in strategic initiatives, offering data-backed recommendations and nuanced perspective on litigation trends, operational risk, and firm performance.
Assess law firm performance against Hanover’s performance expectations and deliver actionable insights for continuous improvement.
Participate in cross-functional initiatives and enterprise projects to support litigation strategy and legal operations transformation.
Relationship Management & Escalation Support
Manage a portfolio that includes enterprise level firms and high complexity litigation, ensuring consistent performance, strategic fit, and alignment with business objectives.
Provide expert-level guidance on panel counsel operations, billing practices, rate structures, and compliance with litigation guidelines.
Contribute to shaping, enhancing, and standardizing processes, tools, and performance management approaches across the program.
Facilitate regular stewardship meetings with portfolio firms and internal Claims stakeholders.
Mentorship & Influence
Serve as a senior subject-matter expert supporting peers through mentorship, training, onboarding, and thought leadership.
Influence cross-functional partners through effective communication, analytical insights, and sound business judgment.
Model best practices in vendor management, legal quality assessment, strategic thinking, and enterprise collaboration.
Data & Analytics
Review enterprise‑level analytics, interpret trends, and collaborate with analytics/IT teams to enhance reporting and decision‑making capabilities.
Utilize advanced reporting tools to evaluate firm performance and recommend rate adjustments based on data-driven insights.
Ensure data integrity and accuracy across systems, guide enhancements to analytics processes.
Translate insights into actionable recommendations for leadership and team members.
Operational Excellence
Lead legal quality audits of panel firms to assess performance, compliance, and strategic alignment.
Negotiate rates and proactively explore cost saving measures to ensure fiscal discipline and adherence to enterprise guidelines.
Coordinate enterprise-critical law firm transitions and ensure seamless integration with claims systems, billing platforms, and operational workflows.
Process Improvement
Support the development, implementation, and enforcement of outside counsel processes, tools, and billing guidelines.
Identify litigation trends and recommend process improvements to meet evolving business needs and optimize outcomes.
Respond to internal requests and evaluate new firm additions based on strategic fit, performance history, and business needs.
What you need to apply:
Juris Doctor (JD) and 8-10+ years of experience in litigation, insurance claims, legal operations, billing oversight, or panel counsel management.
Deep understanding of litigation strategy, insurance defense operations, and law firm performance dynamics.
Strong analytical capability; experience working with large datasets, performance dashboards, and enterprise reporting tool.
Proven ability to manage complex escalations, negotiate effectively, and maintain strong professional relationships.
Exceptional communication skills, particularly in high‑stakes or conflicting‑viewpoint environments.
Demonstrated leadership without direct authority—ability to influence cross‑functional teams and serve as a senior advisor.
Strong project management and process‑improvement skills with experience supporting transformational initiatives.
Effective time management and ability to balance competing priorities in a dynamic environment
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Ability to use a personal computer and other standard office equipment
Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods
Required to work on-site as needed
Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing or stressful environment
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