Claims Manager - Construction

Location: Kansas City, MO
Reports To: Senior Vice President, Risk

ESS Companies, Inc (“ESSC”) supporting ESS Claims, is seeking a Claims Manager to support Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc (“ESS”) heavy civil construction projects through incident review and claims management activities. This role will oversee the administration of Workers’ Compensation, General Liability, and Auto Liability claims for ESS and works closely with project teams, Safety, Human Resources, Operations, Legal, and the Risk organization. The Claims Manager ensures construction-related incidents are properly reviewed, documented, and managed from first notice of loss through resolution while supporting injured employees and helping drive positive claim outcomes.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Support the review and management of ESS construction-related incidents, including property and equipment damage, third-party claims, and injury-related events.
• Oversee and administer Workers’ Compensation, General Liability, and Auto Liability claims from first notice of loss through resolution.  Some incidents may be coordinated in conjunction with the Legal team.
• Coordinate with project teams, Safety, and Human Resources to ensure timely reporting, investigation, and documentation of incidents.
• Assist with the administration, tracking, and documentation of claims, including correspondence, reports, photos, and supporting records.
• Coordinate incident or claim information with brokers, third-party administrators, insurance carriers, Legal, and other internal stakeholders.
• Support investigations, litigation as needed, and follow-up related to incidents and claims while maintaining internal claim ownership.
• Track claim status, reserves, key milestones and provide summaries to Risk leadership.
• Support return-to-work and modified duty efforts in coordination with Human Resources and field leadership.
• Assist with internal reporting to ESS’s operational leadership related to claims trends, incident types, loss activity, and Total Cost of Risk.
• Assist Risk and Legal leadership with analyzing ESS’s Total Cost of Risk data through trend identification, and strategies for risk mitigation support.
• Demonstrate the ability to remain calm under pressure and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Initiate professional, working relationships with field teams and actively maintain those relationships to support effective incident review and claims management.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the ESSC Risk Management function.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Risk Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 4–8 years of experience supporting or managing Workers’ Compensation, General Liability, Auto Liability, or construction-related claims.
• Working knowledge of claims administration practices and incident reporting requirements.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with field and corporate teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Heavy civil construction experience (transportation, utilities, marine, or similar).
• Experience working with self-insured or high-deductible insurance programs.
• Experience coordinating with insurance carriers, brokers, and third-party administrators.
• Professional certifications such as AIC, ARM, or other industry-related credentials.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an office and project site environment.
• Ability to travel to job sites and offices as required.

Equal Opportunity Employer
ESSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.