Job Description

We are looking for a Claims Executive / Senior Claims Executive to strengthen our team serving shipowners, operators and ship managers based in Norway.

Providing first-class claims service is at the heart of what we do. In this role, you will handle a broad range of maritime claims in close cooperation with Members, clients, brokers and third-party professionals, while working in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

Our clients range from major international shipping companies to operators of smaller and specialised vessels. Although our primary relationships are in Norway, their operations span the globe, exposing you to a wide variety of shipping activities, vessel types, jurisdictions and stakeholders. The team handles claims across the maritime sector, including vessel and cargo damage, loss of hire, environmental incidents, charterparty disputes and personal injury cases.

As a Claims Executive / Senior Claims Executive, you will manage claims arising from worldwide shipping operations, with P&I as your main focus, while gaining exposure to Gard's broader portfolio of marine insurance products. You will take ownership of your own cases while collaborating with experienced colleagues and an international network of correspondents, lawyers, surveyors, experts and authorities when required.

You will join an experienced and professionally diverse team across Arendal and Oslo, working closely with colleagues and specialists throughout Gard's global organisation. The role also provides opportunities to engage directly with clients and brokers, and to represent Gard in meetings, seminars and other industry activities.

At Gard, we work to understand our clients' businesses and risks and support them in managing those risks effectively. Insights gained through claims handling contribute to identifying trends, understanding exposures and supporting Gard's ambition of being Safer with Gard.

Regular travel within Norway, particularly to Oslo, should be expected, together with occasional international travel.

Key responsibilities

• Professionally handle a broad range of maritime claims, with main focus on P&I, from initial notification through investigation, assessment, negotiation and resolution, arising from clients’ worldwide shipping operations.

• Analyse factual, legal, technical and commercial information, including other relevant claims documentation, policy terms and coverage, across different jurisdictions, ports and legal systems.

• Provide practical and high-quality advice to clients on claims, coverage and related marine insurance and risks, engaging lawyers, experts and collaborating with other stakeholders as required.

• Take an active role in negotiations, dispute resolution and settlements, and pursue recoveries where relevant.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and brokers, with a clear focus on service and understanding their business needs.

• Participate in client and broker meetings, presentations, seminars, market events and relevant industry discussions.

• Contribute actively to knowledge sharing and the development of claims expertise across the team. For more senior candidates, this may include mentoring and developing colleagues.

Who are you?

We are looking for someone who is curious about shipping, risk and international business and enjoys solving complex problems where legal, operational, technical and commercial considerations intersect. You are practical, organised and service-minded, with the judgement and attention to detail needed to manage multiple matters while maintaining quality and responsiveness.

A legal background is preferred, but not required. The diversity of professional backgrounds within our existing team is one of our strengths, and we are interested in candidates who can bring relevant knowledge, experience and new perspectives to the team.

Relevant backgrounds may include:

• Law, particularly maritime, insurance, commercial or liability law.

• Marine technical disciplines, including marine engineering, naval architecture or relevant technical experience from shipping or the maritime industry.

• Nautical or seagoing experience.

• Medical or health-related disciplines, particularly relevant to personal injury, illness, crew and other people-related claims.

• Experience from a shipping company, ship management organisation or other part of the maritime industry.

• Marine insurance or claims handling experience.

Previous experience in marine insurance or claims handling is an advantage, but equally important is your motivation and ability to develop into a broad marine claims professional. You communicate clearly, exercise sound judgement and enjoy working both independently and as part of a collaborative team. You are confident engaging with clients and representing Gard in external activities.

Excellent written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage.

For a Senior Claims Executive position, we would normally expect several years of relevant professional experience, together with a demonstrated ability to handle complex matters independently, exercise sound judgement and contribute to the development of colleagues and the wider team.

What can you expect?

You will join an organisation that is actively investing in digitalisation and new ways of working, where maritime expertise, professional judgement and technology increasingly come together to create value for clients.

You will become part of a professionally diverse team and work closely with some of the most interesting companies in the Norwegian maritime community and their brokers.

The breadth of Gard's portfolio means exposure to a wide variety of vessel types, trades, jurisdictions and insurance products, providing continuous learning and development opportunities.

The role combines hands-on claims handling, client interaction, risk management and international exposure, with opportunities to work alongside experienced colleagues and specialists across Gard's global organisation.

The position is based at Gard's head office in Arendal and includes regular interaction with clients and colleagues in Oslo and elsewhere in Norway, as well as occasional international travel.

We perform background checks on all relevant candidates through our partner EY.