Head of Claims – Trade Credit Insurance

About the role

Coface is looking for a highly strategic and experienced Director of Claims & Debit Collection to lead the claims and recovery function within its Credit Insurance business in São Paulo. The role defines and executes the claims strategy, ensures efficient claims handling, optimizes recovery outcomes and aligns claims activities with underwriting, risk and legal functions, while managing portfolio risk exposure and supporting the company's financial performance.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute the claims and recovery strategy aligned with the company's risk appetite and business objectives.
• Lead management of complex, high-value claims, including insolvency, restructuring and litigation cases.
• Oversee the end-to-end claims lifecycle to improve operational efficiency, reduce turnaround time and improve loss ratios.
• Develop recovery strategies, including negotiations, settlements and legal actions.
• Integrate claims insights with Underwriting, Risk and Finance teams to support credit risk decisions and portfolio management.
• Conduct solvency and financial analysis of debtors to guide claims and recovery decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement, including process optimization, automation and data analytics.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal governance standards.
• Manage relationships with external legal partners, regulators and key stakeholders.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing claims team.

Required profile

• Law degree with an active OAB (Brazilian Bar Association) membership, mandatory.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience, including extensive claims management in insurance, credit insurance, financial services or related sectors.
• At least 5 years of senior leadership experience managing claims teams.
• Advanced English (mandatory) and intermediate Spanish (required).
• Preferred: background in global credit insurance companies, banking, trade finance or corporate credit risk analysis, and exposure to large corporate portfolios and cross-border claims.

Required skills

• Solvency analysis and financial statement evaluation (mandatory).
• Complex claims involving insolvency, restructuring and litigation.
• Knowledge of claims processes, investigation and settlement, and of judicial and extrajudicial credit risk and recovery processes.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards (SUSEP knowledge is a plus).
• Advanced analytical and financial skills with proficiency in claims and data analysis tools.