Assistant Vice President - Enterprise Litigation & Claims Counsel

Assistant Vice President (AVP)– Enterprise Litigation & Claims Counsel

Horace Mann Educators Corporation – Remote (U.S.) or Hybrid (Springfield, IL / Plano, TX / Madison, WI)

Horace Mann was founded in 1945 by two teachers who saw the need for quality, affordable auto insurance for educators. Since then, we have expanded our mission to helping all educators protect what they have today and prepare for a successful tomorrow. We serve school districts nationwide and are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: HMN). For more information, visit www.horacemann.com.

As a leading insurance and financial services company focused on meeting the evolving needs of K-12 educators and employees of other non-profit organizations, we are seeking an Assistant Vice President (AVP)– Enterprise Litigation Counsel to join our Office of the General Counsel, Law Division. This position offers flexible work arrangements, including fully remote or hybrid options (Springfield, IL, Addison, TX, or Madison, WI), with occasional travel for key meetings and collaboration.

The Opportunity

This is a highly visible role responsible for leading litigation strategy across the enterprise while remaining closely engaged in the management of significant matters. The AVP – Enterprise Litigation & Claims Counsel will oversee complex, high-exposure, and precedent-setting litigation, partner directly with senior leadership, and play a key role in how the organization evaluates and manages legal risk.

This position is well-suited for an experienced litigator with a demonstrated background in insurance coverage and extra-contractual/bad faith matters who is seeking to broaden their impact beyond individual cases into enterprise-level strategy while remaining engaged in substantive legal work.  The position also requires a business-centric, strategic thinker who has the ability to work proactively with claims and other key business stakeholders to provide exceptional counseling to mitigate litigation risk.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute litigation strategy for complex, high-exposure, and precedent-setting matters across the enterprise
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership by providing practical, risk-based legal guidance on significant issues
• Direct and manage outside counsel, including active involvement in litigation plans, budgets, pleadings, discovery, motions, and overall case strategy
• Partner with outside counsel in litigation matters as appropriate, including participation in negotiations and key strategic decisions
• Partner closely with Claims leadership on litigation involving coverage, first-party claims, and extra-contractual/bad faith exposure
• Identify litigation trends and emerging risks, and proactively develop enterprise-wide risk mitigation strategies
• Support regulatory inquiries, market conduct matters, and broader enterprise risk management initiatives
• Establish consistent legal positions and best practices across jurisdictions and business lines
• Manage litigation-related legal spend, including forecasting, budgeting, and cost control

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active bar membership in good standing (ability to register as in-house counsel in applicable jurisdictions as needed)
• 12+ years of legal experience with a strong focus on complex litigation
• Meaningful experience with insurance coverage, first-party claims, and extra-contractual/bad faith litigation
• Experience handling or advising on high-exposure, complex litigation matters involving significant financial or reputational risk
• Demonstrated experience managing significant litigation matters and working closely with outside counsel
• Strong litigation judgment and ability to operate independently with limited oversight
• Executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively and build credibility with senior leadership
• Experience in the insurance or financial services industry and/or prior in-house experience preferred
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly to diverse audiences
• Trial experience required

Why Join Horace Mann

• Opportunity to take ownership of significant litigation matters while shaping enterprise-wide strategy
• Direct engagement with senior leadership and meaningful influence on business decisions
• A role that combines hands-on litigation involvement with broader strategic responsibility
• Flexible work environment with fully remote or hybrid options
• Competitive compensation and company-wide bonus program
• Comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, and vision coverage
• Matching 401(k) plan and generous paid time off

The duties listed in this job description do not limit the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of duties to be performed in this position.

EOE/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Pay Range:

• $124,200.00 - $175,800.00/annually

Salary is commensurate to experience, location, etc.