Defect Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

The Practice Group Manager - Construction Defect, based on experience, will support operations within a specific practice area of the firm in conjunction with firm and Construction Defect practice leaders. This includes:

• having a deep understanding of carrier guidelines and industry expectations;
• coordinating with the firm's Construction Defect attorneys to ensure compliance with guidelines and expectations, along with any related training to achieve that goal;
• collaborating with the firm's Firmwide Training & Development Attorney;
• coordinating with firm and Construction Defect practice leaders to operationalize their vision;
• ensuring effective communications, relationships, and workflows, as applicable, with (1) clients at the direction of firm and Construction Defect practice leaders; and (2) the practice group to meet the firm's strategic, business, financial, operational, and administrative objectives.

This is a fast-paced, collaborative role that requires exceptional organizational skills, a strong understanding of litigation and construction defect legal processes and matter lifecycles, and the ability to liaise effectively with and between attorneys, firm leaders, and administrative departments. The Practice Group Manager - Construction Defect ensures that each constituency is well supported, aligned with firm priorities, and equipped to deliver outstanding service internally and externally.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Help run and improve the daily operations of the practice group by collaborating closely with firm and practice leaders.
• Ensure that the attorneys and paralegals in the practice maintain a balanced workload while meeting client needs promptly, in conjunction with the staffing team.
• Work with practice and firm leaders to understand business goals, plan for future needs, and allocate resources effectively.
• Set up and manage reports, workflows, task tracking, calendars, and systems for organizing legal information tailored to the practice's needs to achieve its objectives.
• Serve as a key contact between firm and practice leaders, timekeepers, and the firm's support departments (billing, people ops, IT, marketing, etc.) to advance the practice's goals and cross departmental needs.
• Identify and implement improvements to processes and workflows, leveraging the firm's technology resources, essential steps at matter inception and close, and other proven methods throughout the matter lifecycle.

Business Development and Support

• Collaborate with attorneys to develop and implement marketing strategies that promote practice group capabilities to existing and prospective clients.
• Support the group's specific needs, including creating guides, managing research tools, ensuring compliance with document standards, and coordinating team activities.

Communication and Coordination

• Plan and organize regular meetings, training sessions, and communication efforts as directed by practice leaders to keep all members informed and aligned, in conjunction with the firm's Firmwide Training & Development Attorney.
• Provide best practice recommendations for communicating a range of topics to insurance carriers and their adjustors.

Project Management

• Oversee special projects within the practice, ensuring timely delivery and effective resource allocation.
• Oversee the completion and closure of matters upon final resolution.
• Maintain updated client and prospect databases, ensuring quality information that supports business development efforts, in conjunction with the marketing team.

Compliance and Best Practices

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements relevant to the practice area.
• Create and update practice group procedures to follow best practices and maintain current knowledge management documentation, templates, and research tips, in conjunction with the firm's Firmwide Training & Development Attorney.
• Identify and track upcoming trial dates and potential large-loss matters, keeping firm and practice leaders informed about the status of these cases and resources needed.
• Create and maintain case lists and assist with organizational materials for cases, in conjunction with the staffing team.
• Ensure all client-related communications are appropriately filed in the firm's document management system.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Legal Studies, or a related field a plus.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience handling construction defect claims for an insurance carrier (litigated and non-litigated) preferred.
• 5+ years' experience as a claims' adjustor handling construction defect claims a plus.
• Experience with and understanding of carrier guidelines and basis for them, along with methods for compliance.
• Advanced excel skills, including pivot tables.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and the capacity to make timely and defensible decisions.
• Ability to balance claim volume with accuracy and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills; ability to present complex information clearly.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legal practice management software.
• Familiarity with marketing tools and CRM systems.
• Ability to build relationships across firm departments.
• High-level interpersonal communication skills.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Kahana Feld provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Job Type

Full-Time, Exempt

Work Location

Hybrid

Physical Requirements

Primarily sedentary work. Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to walk short distances, and/or drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials. Work can be performed with or without accommodations.

Travel

10-30% domestic travel by car and plane.

Salary Range

Based on experience, generally $100,000 - $130,000