Executive Director of Risk Management

Position Description:

The Executive Director of Risk Management provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the districts risk management program including enterprise risk management (ERM) insurance and claims administration and loss control contractual risk transfer emergency preparedness and regulatory compliance. This leader ensures that all district operations programs and facilities are aligned with best practices in risk mitigation financial protection and student/staff safety. The role is both strategic and operational requiring collaboration with Human Resources Finance Legal Facilities Technology Transportation Athletics and school leadership to embed a culture of safety resiliency and continuous improvement.

Reports To:

Chief Operations Officer (or designee)

Scope of Responsibility:

• Lead the districts Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program integrating risk identification assessment mitigation and monitoring across all functions.
• Develop annual risk assessments and report to the Superintendent Board and Audit/Finance Committees.
• Establish key risk indicators (KRIs) tolerance thresholds and metrics for accountability.
• Chair or participate in cross-functional safety and risk committees.
• Oversee procurement and management of all insurance coverages (e.g. general liability property flood cyber crime student accident workers compensation excess liability).
• Manage the broker of record process and relationships with external insurance consultants.
• Collaborate with third-party administrators and legal counsel on claims investigation settlement and litigation strategy.
• Conduct trend analyses to reduce claim frequency severity and overall cost.
• Serve as liaison with FEMA parish/state emergency management and Homeland Security.
• Coordinate pre-disaster planning mitigation strategies and post-disaster recovery.
• Ensure school and facility inspections safety audits and drills are conducted regularly.
• Review and manage risk transfer requirements in contracts leases construction agreements and facility use agreements.
• Ensure vendors and contractors maintain required insurance coverage.
• Monitor compliance with federal state and local safety and risk regulations.
• Advise leadership on emerging risks such as cybersecurity data privacy and environmental health.
• Develop training programs for staff on risk awareness incident reporting claims handling and emergency response.
• Promote a culture of safety and accountability through proactive communication and staff engagement.
• Mentor staff and foster professional development aligned with University Risk Management and Insurance
• Association (URMIA) Inclusive Leadership competencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Operations Officer.

Skills and Qualifications:

JPS seeks detail-oriented independent self-starters who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to raising student achievement and who have a record of high performance in challenging situations. Successful candidates will also demonstrate and/or possess:

• Bachelors degree in Risk Management Insurance Emergency Management Business Administration Finance Public Administration or related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in risk management insurance or emergency management preferably within a public sector education or governmental entity.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to use quantitative and qualitative data.
• Proven communication and leadership skills with ability to influence at all organizational levels.
• Proficiency with risk/claims management systems and Microsoft Office.
• Risk Management Technical Skills Risk identification control financing claims management and holistic ERM.
• Strategic Management Business acumen planning alliance-building and change management.
• Inclusive Leadership Communication staff development relationship management and commitment to DEIB.
• Organizational Engagement Understanding of district operations finance compliance IT/cyber facilities and student programs.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Masters degree in Risk Management Public Administration or related discipline.
• Professional certifications: CSRM (Certified School Risk Manager) ARM (Associate in Risk Management) or CRM.
• FEMA ICS training (IC100-400) and Emergency Management certification.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Prior experience managing workers compensation and third-party liability claims.

Physical Involvement:
Office environment with regular travel across district schools and facilities. Mobility skills necessary to access a variety of work locations and/or areas. Standing walking reaching bending and lifting up to 40 pounds is sometimes required. Climbing step ladders extension ladder stairs and scaffolding may be required. Availability to work extended hours or be on-call during emergencies.

Compensation:
JPS offers a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience. JPS also offers a competitive benefits package.

Required Experience:

Director