Director of Workers’ Compensation – Lakeland

Location: Lakeland, FL
Job ID: 29854BR
Department: Risk Management
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Date Posted: Aug 01, 2024

Salary varies

Hybrid

Full Time - Regular

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Description

Publix is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Workers’ Compensation. The purpose of this position is to direct and oversee Publix’s self-administered workers’ compensation claims function including claims handling, nurse case management, medical bill review, vocational rehab and support functions. This position directs the 65 associates in Publix WC group focusing on cost control, compliance, and providing strategic advice to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Publix’s comprehensive workers’ compensation program. This position reports to the Vice President of Risk Management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cost Control & Claims Management: Oversee and manage all aspects of workers’ compensation claims, including medical-only and lost-time claims, to control and contain costs, including process improvement and vendor selection.
• Direction of the associates in the WC Group: Oversight of hiring, performance reviews and pay evaluations, discipline and retention.
• Strategic Improvements: Identify, institute, and manage improvements in handling job-related injuries and claims to reduce costs and improve service.
• Medical Case Management: Direct the medical case management and medical bill review functions to maintain appropriate levels of medical care providers and resources.
• Settlement Approvals: Approve settlements of claims above the manager’s authority, evaluate cases for settlement value, and present matters exceeding authority to the VP for approval.
• Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): Evaluate and direct CQI activities, initiate risk management business plan projects, and monitor CQI-related tasks.
• Legal Oversight: Manage the business relationship with workers’ compensation law firms, oversee legal spend, and assess the quality of legal representation.
• Insurance Placement: Participate in the placement and purchase of workers’ compensation, liability, and other casualty insurance.
• Training & Development: Direct workers’ compensation training and skills development tailored to Publix’s self-administered claims management.
• Compliance & Audit: Develop and direct a compliance/audit function to ensure best practices and regulatory compliance in claims handling.
• Advisory Role: Provide advice and direction to business units on issues identified through claims handling and litigation.

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Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business, Finance, Accounting, Insurance, or a related analytical discipline.
• 10 years of management experience in workers’ compensation claims administration, consulting, risk management, or insurance.
• 5 years of supervisory claims experience.
• Experience overseeing high-value workers’ compensation claims.
• Experience with claims audits and quality control.
• All-lines adjuster license or eligibility to sit for the adjuster exam in required states.
• Knowledge of loss forecasting, actuarial principles, analysis, reserving, and financial reports.
• Knowledge of workers’ compensation laws and concepts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Analytical and interpretation skills to identify opportunities and apply complex legal regulations.

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Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years of management experience administering claim programs involving self-insured and significant retained risk.
• Experience with self-administration of claims, TPA claims, or workers’ compensation carrier claims operations.
• Experience in workers’ compensation claim management in states where Publix operates.
• Experience in developing training and continuing education curriculum.
• Experience developing claims audit and quality assurance tools and metrics.
• Experience in risk management, insurance, or legal operations.
• Experience in the use of risk information management systems.
• Experience in attorney management, legal fee cost control, and medical management.
• Experience with corporate insurance, risk transfer techniques, and risk funding issues.
• Professional designations such as Associate of Risk Management, Associate in Claims, Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, or similar.

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Benefits

• Employee stock ownership plan that contributes Publix stock to associates each year at no cost
• An opportunity to purchase additional shares of our privately-held stock
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Group health, dental and vision plans
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Free hot lunches (buffet-style) at facilities with a cafeteria
• Visit our website to see all of our benefits: Benefits – Jobs (publix.com)

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Year End Bonus

As a year-end bonus to associates, Publix issues one month’s extra pay (pro-rated in the first year) each year if associate remains employed through issue date of the bonus check that year. This is calculated as a 13th month of pay in the Potential Annual Pay with Bonus line above.

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Additional Information

Your application may have additional steps that you will need to complete in order to remain eligible for consideration. Please be sure to monitor your email, including your spam folder, on a daily basis for critical, time-sensitive emails that could require action within 24-48 hours.
Please do not use your Publix email address when applying. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive a confirmation email.

**Please note that Publix will not sponsor any hire for this position for a visa or permanent residence.

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