Manager, Third Party Liability

Role Responsibilities

We are seeking a dynamic and highly skilled Manager, Third Party Liability to provide leadership, strategic direction, and expert legal guidance in maximizing the recovery of health service costs from wrongdoers who injure Alberta recipients. This pivotal role will lead the development, handling, and settlement of high-value claims, working in collaboration with various stakeholders, including legal professionals, insurance companies, and internal teams. 

The job responsibilities include:
Leadership and Claims Recovery

• Lead and manage the development, handling, and settling of complex claims under the Crown’s Right of Recovery Act, including high value cases.
• Negotiate with law firms, insurance companies, and other entities within Alberta, Canada, and internationally to maximize recovery of health service costs for the Crown.
• Provide guidance to Claims Officers in determining the Crown’s position, especially in contentious or trial-bound cases, ensuring settlements align with TPL policies and procedures.

Claims Development and Settlement

• Interpret legal provisions and regulations, assessing the viability of claims and determining appropriate steps for pursuing health service recovery.
• Analyze medical records and reports to determine which services were provided because of injuries sustained and assess future care needs and associated costs.
• Ensure claims are protected within the statutory limitation periods, making decisions on the necessary legal actions to safeguard the Crown's interests.
• Lead negotiations on settlements for claims ensuring legal compliance and maximizing recovery.

Legal Resource and Team Leadership

• Provide legal education, guidance, and support to Claims Officers, enhancing their understanding of legal liability, damages, and settlement procedures.
• Actively contribute to the professional development of Claims Officers, conducting regular performance meetings and addressing any concerns or issues.
• Audit TPL Claims Officers' files to ensure adherence to policies, procedures, and best practices in claims handling and settlements.

Stakeholder Communication and Advisory

• Serve as the primary point of contact for legal and insurance professionals, providing information, advice, and instructions related to TPL claims and recovery procedures.
• Develop and present educational materials and presentations to legal and insurance entities, promoting compliance with the Crown’s Right of Recovery Act.
• Foster strong working relationships with stakeholders through clear, effective communication, and continuous improvements to claims processes.

Program Policy and Legislative Improvements

• Identify and recommend possible legislative amendments to improve the effectiveness of the TPL program and maximize health service cost recoveries.
• Review and revise internal policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with evolving legislation and best practices.

Project Leadership and System Improvements

• Lead initiatives aimed at improving system efficiency.
• Work within the management team to develop novel solutions to operational challenges and enhance data systems.

Budget and Team Management

• Assist the TPL Director in budget development, tracking, and ensuring the efficient allocation of resources.
• Act as the Director in their absence, providing leadership and ensuring smooth operations within the team.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Develop Networks:

• Build trust and represent the diverse perspectives of all parties involved.
• Leverage your network to identify new opportunities and create connections that align with shared goals.
• Establish credibility and foster a common purpose with stakeholders across varying functions.
• Inspire others by connecting with values and beliefs, creating a positive and impactful strategic impression.

Build Collaborative Environments:

• Foster an open, communicative environment by promoting the sharing of expertise and facilitating collaboration.
• Lead and implement strategic communication systems that connect teams and departments.
• Anticipate and proactively address potential conflict areas to ensure smooth collaboration.
• Inspire others with a bold, inclusive vision that drives collective action and results.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration, uniting different teams to achieve common goals.

Drive for Results:

• Work to remove barriers that may hinder progress, adhering to core principles and ensuring continuous alignment with broader organizational goals.
• Forecast and proactively address project challenges, ensuring the path forward is clear and achievable.
• Uphold organizational values by confronting problems directly and taking decisive action.
• Consider the big picture and ensure solutions align with the mission and long-term vision of the organization.

Systems Thinking:

• Integrate broader trends, political environments, and risks into strategic planning and decision-making processes.
• Develop solutions that support the organization’s vision and strategic goals.
• Address challenges and behaviors that may impede progress, ensuring continued alignment with the larger organizational mission.

Creative Problem Solving:

• Collaborate openly with teams to brainstorm, share ideas, and resolve issues.
• Utilize a wide range of techniques to break down complex problems and find innovative solutions.
• Create an inclusive environment where team members can think creatively and contribute their ideas.
• Bring the right people together to solve challenges and introduce new solutions that drive organizational success.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in Law (LLB or JD) along with four years of related experience, as well as membership in the Law Society of Alberta.

The following experience is required: 

• Expert knowledge of legal systems and legal procedures, including the Rules of Court.
• Expert knowledge of legal principles and practices relating to personal injury and insurance law, including motor vehicle accidents and contributory negligence issues.
• Must have extensive and current legal knowledge. Knowledge and experience with the Crown's claims must usually be equivalent to the knowledge and experience of lawyers representing the Crown. Frequently educate lawyers and insurers about the Crown's claims, which requires a very high degree of knowledge and experience.
• Expert knowledge of governing legislation and other relevant legislation (i.e. Crown's Right of Recovery Act, Hospitals Act, Health Information Act, Insurance Act, Limitations Act, Contributory Negligence Act, FOIP, etc.) is critical in order to advise staff, to provide instructions to legal counsel, and to appropriately advise and inform stakeholders.
• In-depth knowledge of medical terminology and the causes and effects of traumatic injuries. Must be able to decide which health services were provided because of an injury and which were not. Must be able to read, interpret, understand, and apply medical information / reports from health service providers and experts.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, mediation and negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of the insurance industry, including insurers' practices and procedures.

The following experience is considered as assets:

• Extensive experience in negotiation.
• Strong background in personal injury law, insurance principles, medical malpractice, and civil procedures.
• Background in insurance or dealing with insurers.

The following experience will be given preference:

• Strategic planning and ability to translate strategy into operational plans and actions.
• Superior relationship building skills and adaptability /flexibility to work with a diversity of stakeholders, including the legal community, health care providers, the insurance industry.
• Ability to simultaneously manage a wide variety of diverse issues, some under significant time pressure, mobilize resources, and find innovative solutions to complex issues.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent negotiating and facilitation skills. 
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to educate others, including public speaking and the provision of presentations to stakeholders.
• Excellent research, analysis, and writing ability, including for the preparation of Briefing Notes.
• Strong project management skills.
• Superior legal skills including legal research skills, interpretation of relevant case law, and ability to identify legal issues.
• Superior human resource management skills are vital to effectively lead the Case Claims team.
• Strong financial management and budgeting/forecasting skills. 

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a permanent position working 36.25 hours per week. 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.