Risk Manager

Located within the Department of Enterprise Risk Management the Risk Manager oversees the daily operations of the Risk Management Division. Reporting to the Division Director or Manager this role acts as the technical lead for the Countys self-insurance programs claims administration and loss control efforts. The Risk Manager ensures that divisional activitiesincluding claims negotiation contract insurance requirements and safety trainingalign with the overarching Enterprise Risk Management departments goals and County Code

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a senior-level job classification within the Department of Enterprise Risk Management. This position provides technical and operational leadership for the Risk Management Division. This classification requires a senior level of expertise in risk financing and claims litigation. This classification may require a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of the department.

• Coordinates and monitors assigned staff consultants and Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) within the Risk Management Division.
  
• Acts as the County liaison with brokers consultants and department heads; assists in facilitating communication between the Division and the broader Enterprise Risk Management Department.
  
• Assists with the review and revision of policies pertaining to Risk Management programs (Workers Comp Vehicle Safety and Travis County Code Chapter 31) to ensure ERM standards are met.
  
• Manages self-insurance claims for auto general liability professional liability aviation and cyber and workers compensation.
  
• Directly negotiates claim settlements with claimants attorneys and carriers or supervises staff/TPAs in the process.
  
• Assists the County Attorneys Office and outside legal counsel in the defense of lawsuits and represents the County at workers compensation hearings and mediations.
  
• Maintains the Travis County Insurance Book and manages all records of insurance coverage to ensure proper rates and cost distribution.
  
• Directs the annual actuarial study to confirm accuracy and provides forecasting to the ERM Department for budgetary purposes.
  
• Prepares and presents formal recommendations to the Commissioners Court for action on claims disposition.
  
• Analyzes loss information to develop retention or transfer strategies and recommends optional risk financing techniques.
  
• Develops RFPs for insurance coverage and administers all contracts relating to risk fund expenditures.
  
• Prepares specialized recommendations for insurance requirements and bond provisions for elected officials and parties contracting with the County.
  
• Partners with Purchasing and Project Managers to verify certifications of insurance and ensure contract compliance.
• Monitors state and federal legislation to ensure all divisional programs remain within applicable regulations.
  
• Identifies facilities and conditions of potential loss exposure and recommends remediation to minimize County-wide risk.
  
• Plans and implements training programs to support claim processing and coverage for the County.
  
• Plans and develops employees under management.
  
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  

Education and Experience:
Bachelors degree in Business Administration Public Administration Environmental Sciences Chemistry or a directly related field AND seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in the field of Risk Management including workers compensation including four (4) years of which must have been in a responsible position within Risk Management and including three (3) years of mid- to senior level supervisory or management experience. Prefer candidates who demonstrate requisite job knowledge and additional competencies including organizational commitment teamwork negotiations change management adaptability conflict resolution initiative and project management;

OR

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses Registrations Certifications or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Drivers License.

Preferred:
Associate in Risk Management (ARM)
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Finance
Certified Risk Manager (CRM)
Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU)


Knowledge of:

• Advanced knowledge of the policies practices procedures and terminology of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM).
• Comprehensive understanding of commercial property and casualty insurance including self-insurance programs and professional liability.
• In-depth knowledge of the Texas Workers Compensation Act and its administrative procedures.
• Knowledge of Texas Local Government Code and regulations regarding the Travis County Code Chapter 31.
• Specialized knowledge of insurance requirements for vendor contracts and the administration of statutory bonds for elected officials.
• Principles of risk financing retention strategies and the interpretation of actuarial studies for budgetary forecasting.
• Investigative methods procedures and techniques for claims and litigation management.
• Knowledge of mediation practices and legal defense strategies in a governmental setting.
• Currently accepted safety standards industrial hygiene and loss control practices to minimize exposure.
• Management and leadership principles including the supervision of staff consultants and Third-Party Administrators (TPAs).
• Computer equipment and software specifically advanced spreadsheets for loss data analysis databases and risk management information systems.
• Professional business writing grammar and punctuation.
• Detailed report preparation and drafting formal recommendations for executive bodies such as the Commissioners Court.

• Developing implementing and enforcing risk management policies and procedures per federal state and local laws.
• Analyzing and interpreting complex insurance contracts vendor agreements and bond provisions.
• Directly negotiating multi-party claim settlements with claimants attorneys and insurance carriers.
• Strategic planning and execution of loss control and safety programs.
• Coordinating and monitoring the performance of Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) and consultants.
• Developing and managing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for insurance and consulting services.
• Applying advanced project planning skills to the revision and redesign of existing Risk Management programs.
• Utilizing specialized Risk Management Information Systems (RMIS) and database tools.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel for loss data analysis and financial forecasting.
• Interpreting actuarial studies and converting complex data into budgetary recommendations.
• Explaining complicated technical risk and insurance problems in simple non-technical language.
• Service-oriented leadership as a hands-on practitioner for all County departments.
• Providing professional presentations for executive bodies including the Commissioners Court using PowerPoint and Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication specifically for drafting formal recommendations and investigative reports.

• Influence and impact stakeholders at all levels of the organization while maintaining effective relationships with external insurance partners and brokers.
• Manage assign supervise motivate train and evaluate professional staff and administrative support within the Risk Management Division.
• Interpret and apply complex policies procedures and Federal State and Local laws including the Texas Local Government Code.
• Foster a collaborative team environment.
• Design and technical training programs regarding claim processing and workers compensation procedures.
• Work independently with high-level accountability as well as within the broader Enterprise Risk Management team.
• Organize and prioritize diverse activities and changing priorities while successfully executing multiple assignments with concurrent deadlines.
• Exercise sound professional judgment and make critical decisions regarding claim settlements and risk exposure.
• Ensure strict compliance with County guidelines state regulations and internal audit processes.
• Perform effectively in a fast-paced high-stakes environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Elected Officials Department Heads external legal counsel and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally visual acuity speech and hearing hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing walking sitting repetitive motion reaching climbing stairs bending stooping kneeling crouching crawling pushing pulling balancing client/customer contact squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm Monday-Friday.
Location:700 Lavaca Austin TX 78701
Department: Information Security
Criminal Driving Education and Employment Background Checks Required.
For updates or questions on this position contact:

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.