Risk Manager
The Risk Manager, under general supervision, manages the administration of all claims and insurance programs, including property damage and personal injury. Supports legal counsel during litigation. Evaluates potential risk and exposure of business processes and practices and recommends policy changes to reduce liability to the company. Evaluates and recommends insurance programs for major capital development projects. Manages the structure, set up, administration and closeout of insurance programs for major capital development projects. Recommends the purchase of stop-loss insurance and supervises all insurance programs. Trains employees on claims and recovery related issues and supervises the claims management function. Reviews contract language and right-of-way (ROW) access permits and advises on adequate insurance coverage requirements.
Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by, and minimum requirements required of, employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. SMART reserves the right to determine and amend job responsibilities.
Position duties and skills include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Analyzes business practices and evaluates the risk of normal business operations. Consults with and advises District managers regarding potential liability associated with operations and recommends processes to minimize risk.
- Establishes and reviews District insurance requirements and advises managers regarding how their policies and procedures comply with claims management policy.
- Assists department managers with identifying potential losses and with the selection of appropriate risk management procedures.
- Reviews contract language and ROW access permits and advises District management on adequacy of insurance coverage requirements.
- Develops and/or updates claims management policies and procedures and makes necessary recommendations to General Counsel. Supervises the claims administration process.
- Develops and manages a comprehensive risk management information system (RMS) and reporting process.
- Evaluates safety programs to ensure policy and procedures are included.
- Identifies potential claimants and evaluates risk exposure resulting from accidents or incidents. Recommends procedures to establish reserves for individual claims. Defines claims limits for each level of exposure. Assists in the recovery process as needed or requested.
- Determines appropriate reserves for funding claims and litigation. Analyzes actuarial reports and recommends changes in reserves as needed.
- In consultation with counsel, negotiates claims settlement and obtains appropriate releases to settle claims. Decides when claims lack basis for liability and/or exposure and settles claims where company liability and/or exposure exist.
- Reviews settlement demands and recommends appropriate settlements for each disputed claim. Reports settlement information and recommendations to the supervising counsel and other managers as appropriate.
- Manages the insurance program with internal departments and third-party contractors/brokers. Ensures insurance programs are adequate for the company's assumed risks.
- Monitors expiration dates of certificates of insurance including indemnity agreements and initiates renewal process to ensure no lapse in coverage requiring substantial planning.
- Analyzes costs associated with procurement of insurance such as: company policies and procedures governing risk, number of personnel and their responsibilities, demographics, deductibles, self-insured retentions, policy limits, annual financial reports, any available claims data or generally any information that can be given to insurance carriers to help determine insurance premiums.
- Evaluates sufficiency of coverage for all insurance policies carried by the agency and recommends cost savings by managing insurance and risk.
- Assists counsel during the litigation of claims.
- Performs related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience and Education:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
- Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or a related field. An emphasis in insurance and risk management is preferred.
- Eight (8) years' experience in risk management. Public agency experience preferred.
- A valid California Driver's license or the ability to obtain one within sixty days of employment.
Other Qualifications
- Certifications: Associate in Risk Management (ARM) or ARM - Public Entities (ARM-P) or Enterprise Risk Management (ARM ERM) and/or Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) highly desirable.
- Experience in a transit environment or in project construction risk management desirable.