Senior Manager, Litigation

Overview

The organization is seeking a Senior Manager, Litigation to serve as a strategic leader overseeing complex litigation matters, managing legal risk, and driving excellence in case outcomes. This role combines legal expertise, leadership, and business acumen to ensure high-quality representation while protecting the interests of insureds and the organization.

This is a primarily home-based position. Candidates must reside within 35–50 miles of one of the following locations: Madison, WI; Boston, MA; Hopkins, MN; Keene, NH; Atlanta, GA.

Responsibilities

• Lead litigation strategy: Direct and influence legal strategies for complex, high-exposure litigation matters by partnering with staff attorneys and outside counsel to develop approaches, evaluate risks, and drive optimal case outcomes.
• Manage outside counsel relationships: Select, negotiate, and manage partnerships with outside law firms and litigation vendors to ensure exceptional service, cost effectiveness, and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Drive resolution decisions: Evaluate litigation exposure and business impact to determine whether cases should be tried, settled, or otherwise resolved; exercise settlement authority and guide high-stakes decisions.
• Assess and mitigate legal risk: Analyze litigation trends, case developments, and potential exposures to proactively manage risk for insureds and the organization.
• Ensure excellence in representation: Oversee work performed by staff counsel and outside counsel to ensure quality, professionalism, and compliance with applicable legal and ethical requirements.
• Provide trusted legal leadership: Advise on complex legal matters and provide insight, guidance, and expertise to attorneys, business partners, and senior leadership.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams: Foster accountability, collaboration, trust, and inclusion by setting clear expectations, providing coaching and feedback, and supporting team members’ professional growth.
• Influence across the organization: Partner with department and division leaders to advance strategic priorities and help shape the future direction of the litigation function.

Requirements

• Demonstrated effective leadership skills.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer-driven solutions, support, or service.
• Demonstrated civil trial experience.
• Demonstrated experience dealing with issues related to:
  • tort law
  • litigation practice
  • property and casualty insurance contracts, law, and regulation
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of rules of Professional Responsibility for the jurisdiction in which they practice.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of tort, contract, and insurance law.
• Bar admission requirements:
  • Admitted to the state bar in the state where they are located or
  • (1) admission to the bar within one year of hire for individuals who must pass a bar exam or portions of a bar exam to be admitted or
  • (2) bar admission as soon as practicable but no later than 60 days of hire for individuals with diploma privilege or who are eligible for in-house counsel registration.
• Juris Doctor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience leading outside counsel.
• Coverage experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• Position Compensation Range: $150,000.00 - $255,000.00 (salary)
• Compensation may vary based on job level and geographic work location.
• Relocation support is offered for eligible candidates.

Additional benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and wellbeing benefits
• Competitive 401(k) contribution
• Pension plan
• Annual incentive
• 9 paid holidays
• Paid time off program (23 days accrued annually for full-time employees)
• Student loan repayment program
• Paid family leave

Travel & Physical Requirements

• Travel: Up to 50%
• Physical requirements: Work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Additional Information

• Participation in New Employee Orientation during the first week is required; sessions are held in person at the Madison, WI Headquarters or one of its core locations, with some sessions delivered virtually based on scheduling and availability.
• Offer of employment is contingent on the results of applicable background checks.
• Offer of employment is contingent on signing a non-disclosure agreement for proprietary information, trade secrets, and inventions.
• Sponsorship will not be considered unless specified in the posting.
• Equal opportunity employer; qualified applicants with criminal histories are considered consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Location

Primarily home-based, with residence required within 35–50 miles of: Madison, WI; Boston, MA; Hopkins, MN; Keene, NH; Atlanta, GA.