Senior Director of Risk Management and Insurance

 

Responsibilities of the Position

Summary

Reporting to the vice president of safety and risk services and chief resilience officer (VP-CRO), the senior director of risk management and insurance manages the University of Oregon’s (UO) broad range of risk management initiatives and insurance programs, providing strategic and operational leadership that effectively develops and implements the programs and services of the department. Managing the daily operations of the risk management and insurance office, the senior director plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates all facets of risk assessment, financing, and transfer; contract management; loss control efforts; and claim management. The senior director administers the finances necessary to complete insurance and claims transactions with campus departments and third parties, including workers’ compensation, casualty, property, and specialty insurance; represents the department on campus-wide and community committees; and collaborates closely with campus partners to support a comprehensive enterprise risk management program in a highly decentralized campus environment.

The senior director of risk management and insurance hires, trains, develops, and evaluates a dynamic staff of five, including two direct reports, and manages an annual operating budget of $700,000 and an insurance and claims pool of approximately $10 million.

Specific/Additional Responsibilities

• Manage and provide periodic reports to leadership on the self-insurance and claim pool funds and reserves.
• Continuously monitor campus programs and initiatives, identify potential gaps in insurance coverage, and provide options for coverage or self-insurance.
• Provide options for financial risk transfer as requested and when determined to be strategically advantageous.
• Manage assigned claims and set reserves for matters with general counsel and other claim managers.
• Monitor reserves for accuracy and claim development.
• Provide ongoing assessment and development of university policy in risk retention and policy limits.
• Identify risks and collaborate with campus and external parties to determine the optimal method for managing the risk, including assumption of risk, self-insurance, or commercial insurance.
• Engage with the VP-CRO, university leadership, and campus partners on a collaborative, campus-wide enterprise risk management program.
• Direct and manage the daily operations related to self-insurance funding cycles.
• Ensure high service standards are continuously met.
• Create risk management reports and write specifications for requests for proposals for professional brokerage and insurance, actuarial and risk-related services, and consulting services.
• Provide review and advice on actuarial reports and allocation proposals as required.
• Facilitate all claims meetings with general counsel and insurers.
• Attend additional claims meetings where claim resolution strategies are discussed.
• Serve as the liaison with commercial insurers to ensure reporting requirements are met (including annual or periodic insurer audits).
• File claims with insurers as required, provide proof of loss statements, and negotiate satisfactory settlements.
• Obtain commercial insurance certificates to satisfy contractual obligations and ensure timely response.
• Serve as a member of UO’s Incident Management Team.
• Serve on university, campus, and other committees and teams to provide risk management consultation and perspective.
• Assist in financial oversight and the reconciliation of self-insurance accounts.
• To optimize risk transfer, provide risk management review of contracts from Research, Athletics, Purchasing and Contracting Services, Office of the General Counsel, and other contract signature authority partners.
• Acts as a role model for customer service and improved quality.
• Lead the department in assessing and mitigating overall risk, including issues such as minors on campus, drones, alcohol use, event risk assessment, waiver development, outreach, and training.
• Provide consistent feedback, offer professional development support for subordinate staff, and complete annual employee reviews for direct reports.  
• Maintain accurate position descriptions for direct reports and conduct searches and temporary hires as needed.
• Demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion, including the university’s affirmative action and equal opportunity goals and plans.
• Provide leadership at the department level and within the Finance and Administration Division on the university’s diversity plan and its equity, inclusion, and employee engagement.

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; CPCU, CIC, or ARM certification (or a similar professional designation); and demonstrated progressive risk- or insurance-related experience acquired in an insurance broker/agency office, insurance company, or risk management office. Other requirements include demonstrated expertise in working with a variety of insurance products, managing claims, and self-insured retentions and deductibles; extensive knowledge regarding insurance contract language and risk transfer; and excellent communication, analytical, organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills. A master’s or doctoral degree in a related field, experience in higher education insurance and risk management, and familiarity working in a large, decentralized organization are highly preferred. The senior director must be available for 24-hour on-call response to perform risk and emergency management functions and related duties during an emergency.

In addition to the minimum academic and experiential requirements indicated above, the following are desired characteristics, skills, actions, strengths, and abilities noted from discussions with campus stakeholders. The next senior director will ideally possess:

• Breadth and depth of knowledge around risk, compliance, regulation, and insurance, with particular emphasis on a higher education or other community-focused environment.
• A solid commitment to proactively cultivating collaborative relationships and building partnerships across all institution levels and the surrounding community.
• Strong leadership and organizational development abilities that promote and inspire excellence, provide opportunities for professional development, and foster unity and teamwork throughout the department.
• An understanding of the difference between risk awareness and risk aversion and the ability to effectively mitigate and manage risk where possible.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively explain information to various audiences at different knowledge levels in easily understood ways.
• Solid technology skills, implementation experience, and an exceptional understanding of the value and profound effects of technology and social media on risk management and insurance issues today. Specifically, experience with Origami risk management software is preferred.
• Substantial budget and finance skills, with the ability to prioritize financial decisions based on need and available resources.
• An awareness of the threat posed by cyber security issues and their effect on risk.
• The ability to actively listen to all sides of an issue, ask knowledgeable questions, adapt to significant changes on the spur of the moment without being reactive, conduct difficult conversations around delicate issues, remain “cool under pressure” no matter the situation, accept input from all levels of the institutional community, and then make complex, well-informed decisions.
• A solid combination of strategic vision and operational competency, with the ability to multitask effectively across the two domains.
• Cultural competency and cultural humility, including demonstrated experience successfully working with diversity, inclusion, and social justice initiatives and effectively integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into departmental culture, programs, and services.
• Deep knowledge of current risk management best practices and insurance trends, with an innovative spirit and the flexibility to creatively think outside the box.
• Solid problem-solving skills with the ability to determine needs, address issues, manage change processes effectively, and create new possibilities in growing the risk management and insurance department.
• Robust assessment and project management skills, with an orientation to detail and the ability to make data-driven decisions, set expectations, devise and fully implement plans, analyze results, and propose further changes and updates based on outcomes.
• A persona that projects approachability, availability, and flexibility coupled with a commitment to maintaining an open-door policy.
• A customer-service mindset that prioritizes timely responsiveness and strives to over-deliver on all commitments.
• Enthusiasm for the role, excitement for the possibilities, and a positive attitude that encourages an upbeat working environment.
• A willingness to be proactive in all endeavors, be visible and engaged across campus, and work hand-in-hand with the staff to accomplish the department’s mission.

Opportunities and Challenges of the Role

The new senior director of risk management and insurance must possess a broad and deep understanding of national best practices concerning risk and insurance, including complex fiduciary considerations, technology, policies and procedures, workers’ compensation, and legal compliance. The senior director should be a seasoned or aspiring leader who is unwaveringly committed to customer service at the highest level and capable of managing multifaceted situations and staffing, devising strategic initiatives, and administering multiple priorities. Furthermore, the senior director will quickly need to build a deep understanding of the culture of a large, public flagship institution of higher education and be equipped to contribute significantly at both a strategic and operational level to the current and future success of the University of Oregon.

For this role, a competent and forward-thinking individual is needed who can promote and develop the risk management and insurance team, set both extended- and short-term priorities, and work daily to progressively, innovatively, and comprehensively move the department forward.

The following were identified as priorities, opportunities, and challenges for the senior director to exercise vision and lead change:

• The new senior director will be arriving at a crucial time, as the university has recently changed its exclusive insurance broker from Marsh to Arthur J. Gallagher (though there are also several specialty coverages through Mercer). This is an extensive undertaking that is still in its nascent stages. The successful candidate should be prepared to quickly connect with company representatives to forge a solid working relationship and be able to continue communicating the new “landscape” to the UO community with transparency and empathy.
• There will be a brief opportunity for the incoming senior director to overlap with the current senior director before her retirement. As Deb Donning maintains a vast amount of institutional knowledge due to her length of service, the new senior director should spend appropriate time upon arrival with their predecessor to obtain a comprehensive overview of where the department is and take advantage of “picking her brain” for insights into the backstory of the department and the current state of the people, processes, and programs over which they will preside.
• It will be essential that the senior director commit to a comprehensive culture of collaboration and partnering and clear and transparent communication within the department and across campus. The University of Oregon is committed to building strong, healthy, and mutually supportive relationships as a foundation of a decentralized campus culture. Strong collaboration is necessary for all endeavors to ensure success in this role. As the senior director and the Risk Management and Insurance Department touch many entities across and around campus, it will be crucial to quickly reach out to reconfirm previous relationships and continuously build new, mutually beneficial partnerships that foster ongoing positive interactions. Because of the extensive legal ramifications associated with risk- and insurance-related endeavors, it will be vitally important to quickly establish a close working relationship with the Office of the General Counsel. It will also significantly benefit the senior director to conduct a listening tour early in their tenure to gather as much input as possible from the UO community. These connections are essential to assess the real needs of constituents, provide exceptional programs and services for the campus, and ensure a cutting-edge approach to achieving the department’s mission.
• Given the broad and complex scope of responsibilities for this position, the ability to multitask will be a great asset. The department is in solid organizational shape, so this is an outstanding opportunity for the successful candidate to begin quickly moving forward upon arrival, putting their professional mark on the UO, and developing and implementing a long-term strategic vision. There is tremendous support from the VP-CRO, the departmental staff, and other administration to promote a dynamic and forward-facing operation, particularly in light of the exponential growth the university is undergoing now and for the foreseeable future. As priorities are set and plans are initiated, the senior director should be prepared to identify programs, policies, and services that are working, as well as those areas that are not as efficient or effective, and be willing to enhance, promote, or sunset as necessary.
• The current risk management and insurance staff are highly committed to the vision of a solid and supportive team, dedicated to offering the best service possible to the UO community and working tirelessly to enhance the institution. The senior director must prioritize getting to know the departmental staff as individuals, learn their specific needs and career goals, ascertain and understand the various responsibilities they perform and roles they play, be available and approachable, provide comprehensive professional development opportunities and support for all, and oversee the development of a robust and unified team. The senior director must emphasize increasing the knowledge base and skill sets needed to sustain best practices and innovations in the continually evolving areas of risk management and insurance procedures.
• The successful candidate must quickly become familiar with all areas of the departmental portfolio to develop a comprehensive list of priorities. Upon arrival, the senior director must focus a great deal of time on ascertaining the campus’s hot-button priorities around risk and insurance, connecting to the campus environment, and beginning to reach out and establish themselves as the “expert” on all things related to risk and insurance. The senior director must learn the culture of the department, Safety and Risk Services (SRS), and the broader campus while simultaneously working with the staff and other administration members to implement new processes, procedures, programs, and services in a systematic, well-planned manner.
• As part of the Division of Safety and Risk Services, the senior director should promote a culture of risk awareness (vs. risk aversion) across all university levels and assist the campus with assessing risk within the priorities and mission of the university. The senior director’s goal is not to avoid risk altogether but to lessen and control risk as much as possible to benefit the institution and the campus community.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice are core values of the University of Oregon community, and the senior director should be a leader in supporting, understanding, embracing, and nurturing these concepts, both internally to the department and externally to the campus community. There are many underrepresented populations throughout the UO, and the Department of Risk Management and Insurance must be a model for maintaining a strong sense of equity and an unbiased, supportive environment. With many marginalized communities represented at the UO, the senior director will be expected to engage with, empathize, and devise innovative solutions for the related issues that arise for underrepresented groups.
• The University of Oregon’s geographic location, in the western part of the state on the heralded I-5 Pacific Highway midway between Portland and Medford, makes it an ideal environment for individuals from all walks of life. On-campus stakeholders reiterated that they liked working at the university, are very supportive of each other, enjoy the vibrant environment of the UO, feel an excellent sense of collegiality, and believe that there are many opportunities for the new senior director to make a tremendous difference in a great many ways. One stakeholder declared that this role is “a profound opportunity to be creative and innovative, and the right individual can make an impact on a complex, multifaceted organization.” Additionally, the surrounding communities contain a robust assortment of restaurants and food options, many cultural and arts-related events, opportunities for recreation and sports, and abundant year-round outdoor activities that appeal to a wide array of interests. The city of Portland is only two hours away, making it convenient and relatively easy to access the considerable opportunities and amenities of a major metropolitan area.

Measures of Success

At an appropriate interval after joining the University of Oregon, the items listed below will initially define success for the new senior director of risk management and insurance.

• The senior director has conducted a comprehensive listening tour within the department and across campus, assessments of various aspects of the systems, policies, and services have been administered, and strategic and operational plans are being formulated to map out the short- and long-term success of risk management and insurance.
• Risk management and insurance staff are working collaboratively as a team, morale and retention within the staff are high, professional and career development opportunities are offered, responsiveness and customer service are established as priorities, and staff members report that they feel respected and supported.
• Relationships with risk management and insurance and SRS staff have been formed, and the senior director has connected collaboratively with partners across campus. Others view the senior director as a problem-solver and partner who is equipped to address relevant issues.
• The senior director is recognized and respected as the “face” of risk management and insurance at UO, has a reputation for being approachable, trustworthy, and available, is engaged in committees and other initiatives outside the department, and is considered the campus “expert” on risk- and insurance-related matters.
• The risk management and insurance budget and the insurance claim pool are in sound financial shape, and the senior director has identified cost-saving measures to promote long-term fiscal security.
• The senior director has established solid and transparent relationships with the Gallagher and Mercer insurance contacts, and all parties are working effectively to stem premium increases and sustain and improve the overall benefits for the campus community.
• Technology is improving, innovative best practices have been identified, and new, cutting-edge ideas are abundant.

The Student Body

• Total enrollment: 23,202
• Undergraduate: 19,568
• Graduate: 3,634
• Oregon residents: 52%
• Out-of-state residents: 38%
• International students: 10%
• Student-to-teacher ratio: 18 to 1

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

The Division of Equity and Inclusion (DEI) puts equity and inclusion into practice so that the University of Oregon can benefit from the excellence of diversity. By partnering with faculty, students, staff, alums, and community members and groups, the members of DEI work collaboratively to strengthen individual capacity and community bonds to advance the academic mission of the university. DEI’s efforts are facilitated through the IDEAL framework, which is comprised of the following five pillars:

• Inclusion: Cultivating a more welcoming and respectful environment for all
• Diversity: Developing and implementing equitable strategies for recruiting, retaining, and advancing a cadre of students, faculty, and staff with a wide variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and experiences
• Evaluation: Using assessment and measurement strategies to evaluate its processes in meeting the university’s goal of equity and inclusion
• Achievement: Ensuring that its policies, processes, and practices provide access for all to achieve their personal best
• Leadership: Develop, nurture, and coach leadership to facilitate inclusive environments and the resources for success

Application and Nomination

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.

Public Salary Range: $135,000-$170,000

Visit the University of Oregon website at https://www.uoregon.edu/.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This publication will be made available in accessible formats upon request. Accommodations for people with disabilities will be provided if requested in advance.

The term “diversity” can be defined in a number of different ways. The UO looks at it broadly and inclusively, encompassing race, ethnicity, disability, thought, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and economics. The UO seeks to promote further diversity among its faculty, staff, and student body through active recruitment and intentional retention.

 

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