Job Description

Costs Negotiator

Application Deadline: 6 October 2026

Department: Claims Management

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Manchester

Reporting To: Team Leader

Description

Lead Costs Negotiator within our in-house team. You will have the opportunity to manage your own portfolio of fixed recoverable costs cases for Fast Track and MOJ matter (and disputed disbursements on MOJ or Infant Approval) from settlement of damages right through to court determination hearings, as and when required in matters where disbursements and/or fixed costs are disputed, having the chance to lead the way in fixed costs disputes.

The caseload will be spilt according to business need. You will be responsible for the timely and accurate maintenance of the system along with management information – ensuring completeness of records in order to aid business decision making.

The role is working for Keoghs and is mostly remote working from home with office attendance onsite at our Client’s Insurance office in Manchester City Centre location twice a month. This is a great opportunity to gain client interaction.

Additionally, it is an excellent opportunity to build upon your relevant costs litigation experience as you are provided a unique opportunity to challenge fixed costs claims from the schedule right through to a court hearing based on any considered strategy that you will lead.

Key Responsibilities

• Analysis of costs claimed and preparing cost strategy reports
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses and preparing a document to reflect this
• Negotiating costs within settlement parameters
• Dealing with correspondence and telephone calls
• Undertaking periodic reviews of files in line with Client requirements
• Instruct Counsel or Costs Lawyer to attend Detailed Assessment or alternatively conduct own advocacy
• Meeting agreed performance targets.
• To ensure compliance with the SRA Standards & Regulations
• Adhere to the Keoghs Values

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Experience in a similar costs negotiator role either claimant or defendant
• Previous experience of client liaison.
• Good standard of education – 3 GCSE’s grade C or above or equivalent including Maths, English as a minimum.
• Previous experience of handling own caseload
• Have an understanding of the Detailed Assessment process, Cost Case Laws and Insurance Litigation
• Experience of preparing Points of Dispute and considering replies practice & process
• Ability to use own initiative
• Ability to plan and prioritise workloads
• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills
• Ability to make decisions
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Ability to act as part of a team
• Proficient IT skills
• Good telephone negotiation skills

Job Benefits

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days)
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing
• Death In Service – after 1 years’ service
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Volunteering Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets

*after successfully completing probation