Senior Marine Insurance and Claims Director

Job Overview

This role is responsible for leading the Marine Insurance and Claims Department, ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations, and providing strategic direction based on risk and claim trends.

Main Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership
  • Serve as the overall leader of the Marine Insurance & Claims (MI&C) Department.
  • Act as the authorized point of contact and escalation for all Marine Insurance and Claims related matters within the company and with external entities as per the reporting standards mentioned in the departmental manual.
  • Represent the organization as the Group Principal in all marine insurance and claims policies and functions.
• Risk Management and Policy Planning
  • Lead all insurance policy planning and risk mitigation initiatives.
  • Act as the strategic decision-maker for placement and renewal of all marine insurance lines.
  • Review and approve insurance renewals, endorsements, and premium structures.
  • Assess risks related to voyages (e.g., war zones, piracy areas) and advise on War Risk/K&R/INL coverage.
  • Validate statutory and financial coverage for port entries as per departmental manual.
  • Monitor policy expiration timelines and initiate renewals with brokers as needed.
• Claims Management and Settlement
  • Oversee the complete life cycle of insurance claims, ensuring timely resolution and compliance with insurer protocols as per the departmental manual.
  • Manage complex or high-value claim as per the approvals structures in the manual / ERP.
  • Review all incoming claims (P&I, H&M, FD&D, LOH) and ensure accurate registration in CIMS.
  • Liaise with P&I Clubs, Brokers, insurers, for negotiations, and settlements.
  • Approve high-value settlements, RRAs, and recoveries in coordination with CFO/MD.
  • Ensure claim files are closed with complete documentation and reimbursement.
• Performance Management and Team Development
  • Act as direct supervisor and mentor for MI&C team members.
  • Ensure optimal departmental structure, delegation, and staff performance.
  • Assign duties to IOs, SCEs, and IEs based on claim or policy complexity.
  • Conduct regular reviews of claim closures, ERP entries, and broker interactions.
  • Oversee internal claims summary updates and compliance with Departmental manual.
  • Identify areas for performance improvement and implement corrective measures.
• Knowledge Management and Training
  • Promote a culture of continuous learning and procedural excellence within the MI&C team.
  • Facilitate regular training on policy requirements, claim handling, and compliance updates.
  • Maintain an up-to-date digital repository of policies, procedures, claim trackers, and audit documents.
  • Share updates on international regulatory changes and insurer requirements.
  • Encourage internal knowledge sharing and succession planning.
• Compliance and Audit Coordination
  • Ensure the MI&C Department meets all internal and external compliance and audit requirements.
  • Verify that vessels maintain valid certificates required for port entry as per the ERP system.
  • Facilitate internal audits and external insurer audits, ensuring timely data submission.
  • Monitor compliance with international regulations (e.g., OPA 90, Canada Shipping Act, MLC).
  • Lead the closure of audit observations and preventive action implementation.
• Vendor and Stakeholder Management
  • Act as the primary contact for all marine insurance brokers, clubs, surveyors, and legal representatives.
  • Appoint and evaluate performance of brokers and claims handlers.
  • Manage service-level expectations with P&I Clubs, H&M insurers, FD&D underwriters, and LOH adjusters.
  • Coordinate with legal teams for complex disputes or FD&D matters.
  • Ensure timely communication between internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Reporting and Analysis
  • Provide leadership-level reporting and strategic direction based on risk and claim trends.
  • Prepare risk reports and insurance summaries for MD/CFO and board-level review.
  • Analyze claim frequency, deductible impact, and loss ratios to recommend changes.
  • Track premium movements and cost-saving opportunities in coordination with brokers.
  • Develop long-term strategies to optimize coverage and reduce exposure.
• Leadership and Collaboration
  • Act as MI&C's representative in interdepartmental coordination and emergency response.
  • Coordinate with internal stakeholders on insurance issues.
  • Participate in QHSE meetings, emergency drills, and internal review panels.
  • Facilitate effective communication during vessel incidents and claim activations.
• Crisis Response and Emergency Preparedness
  • Represent the organization as the Group Principal in insurance policies.
  • Ensure unified policy placement and claims management of the team.
  • Act as the point of contact for brokers and insurers and legal representatives.
  • Coordinate consolidated risk positions.
  • Engage with Emergency Contact Points as below:

1. Internal Stakeholders: Senior Management and all departments of Emarat Maritime.
2. External Stakeholders: Marine Brokers, P&I Clubs (insurers), P&I Correspondents, Retainer lawyers, FD&D club solicitors, Sanction specialist lawyers, Marine loss adjusters, Marine Surveyors. Hull and Machinery leaders, Loss of Hire insurers

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

A Master's degree in law, Risk Management, or Insurance Law.

Experience:

A minimum of 10–15 years of experience in marine insurance/claims handling.

Skills and Qualities:

A strong understanding of marine insurance policies, claim processes, and marine insurance rules and regulations.

Strategic thinking, team management, and leadership qualities.

Problem-solving, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.

Effective communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management.

Change management, innovation, and ethical integrity.