Risk Manager

The Risk Manager leads BluSky's risk management function, overseeing all aspects of the company's insurance programs, claims activity, injury and illness management, and fleet and DOT compliance. This role is responsible for protecting the organization's people, assets, and reputation through disciplined risk identification, risk transfer, and risk retention practices -- with a focus on the unique exposures inherent to construction and restoration operations.   PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES   Team Structure - The Risk Manager leads a team of risk management professionals whose responsibilities span claims management, insurance procurement, injury and illness management, fleet claims administration, DOT compliance, and insurance administration. - Insurance Procurement Supervisor -- manages broker interactions, policy renewals, certificates of insurance, bonding, OSHA logs, and TRIR/DART calculations. - Risk Management team members (as staffed) claims specialists, risk administrators, and compliance support roles. Team Leadership & Development - Supervise, mentor, and develop all members of the risk management team. - Assign responsibilities aligned to individual strengths and organizational needs. - Set performance expectations, provide regular feedback, and conduct formal reviews. - Manage workload distribution and ensure deadlines and requirements are met across the team. - Conduct interviews for Risk Department new hires. - Continually monitor, audit, and develop team members on their projects -- training enrollment, accurate record keeping, program material distribution, and follow-up. - Serve as the escalation point for complex, sensitive, or high-exposure matters. - Design and deploy corporate-wide risk management processes and business continuity plans. - Coordinate team training on insurance coverages, risk issues, and risk management initiatives. - Foster is a collaborative, high-performance team culture consistent with BluSky's values. Claims Management - The Risk Manager oversees the full lifecycle of claims across all lines, ensuring proper handling, timely resolution, and minimal financial exposure. This includes direct involvement in GL and WC claims filing, tracking, researching, and skip tracing, as well as serving as the primary liaison between the risk team, insurance adjusters, and legal counsel. Workers' Compensation - Oversee compensability decisions and WC claims strategy. - File, track, research, and skip trace WC claims as needed. - Manage the early injury intervention program (currently Axiom) ensuring timely activation, monitoring, and outcome tracking. - Oversee the Transition to Work (TWW) program -- managing modified duty placements, program materials distribution, and compliance. - Coordinate return-to-work with HR Business Partners, obtaining required employee files for claims and liabilities. - Manage litigated and complex WC claims with significant settlement authority. - Understand experience modification (mod) implications and manage accordingly. - Ensure external reporting requirements are met across all operating jurisdictions. - Maintain and file OSHA 300 and 300A logs; calculate TRIR and DART rates in coordination with Payroll. General Liability - File, track, research, and skip trace GL claims. - Oversee coverage analysis and identification of additional insured obligations. - Apply contractual indemnity and contractual risk transfer provisions to claims. - Manage third-party claims in coordination with project teams and legal counsel. Construction Defect - Oversee multi-party coordination on complex defect matters. - Manage long-tail exposure and ensure appropriate reserves. - Direct third-party recovery efforts. Automobile Liability - Own end-to-end management of vehicle accident claims -- collecting incident reports, coordinating damage assessment and rental, and filing claims with Gallagher Bassett. - Coordinate with third-party insurers for reimbursement on not-at-fault accidents; manage vehicle repair process through resolution. - Administer the Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Program -- signed authorizations, enrollment, driver status logging, and application of the Safe Driving Decision Matrix. - Ensure subrogation opportunities are identified and pursued on auto claims. Builders Risk - Oversee builders risk claims in coordination with the broader Builders Risk program. - Coordinate with project management on loss reporting, documentation, and project impact. - Ensure proper premium allocation and reporting for builder's risk losses. TPA Management - Manage relationships with all third-party claims administrators (TPAs), including Gallagher Bassett. - Provide directions to TPAs on claims handling strategy, reserves, and resolution approach. - Participate in quarterly claims management reviews to ensure proper closure, expense management, and reserve adequacy. - Actively participate in educational webinars and training offered by TPAs and program partners --Gallagher Bassett, Axiom, TWS, Raffles, and others. Subpoena Management - Receive, log, and triage all incoming third-party subpoenas. - Conduct initial review to determine scope, relevance, and appropriate response timeline. - Coordinate with legal counsel on response strategy and document preservation obligations. - Draft and send initial acknowledgment and objection letters using pre-approved legal templates. - Manage subpoena tracking and ensure all response deadlines are met. - Archive and maintain complete records of all subpoena activity. Claims Records & Administration - Create and maintain electronic records housing GL claims, WC losses, and potential lawsuits. - Schedule and monitor follow-up calendar for claims, litigations, training, and customer service matters. - Ensure Risk Department invoices are properly remitted to Accounts Payable, and receipts uploaded into the appropriate portal. - Answer risk and claims-related questions from internal stakeholders; explain processes and departmental activities. Fleet Claims & DOT Compliance - The Risk Manager owns the operational, claims, and compliance aspects of the fleet program, and collaborates closely with the Director of Safety to ensure alignment on fleet safety trends, incident patterns, and risk-reduction strategies. - Vehicle accident claims intake, documentation, and resolutions including Gallagher Bassett filings and third-party reimbursement. - MVR program administration -- authorizations, enrollment, driver status logging, and Safe Driving Decision Matrix application. - DOT physical scheduling for all applicable BluSky employees - Medical Examiner Certificate of Achievement (MECA) card maintenance for DOT-regulated drivers. - DOT records maintenance in the Foley system; ongoing driver compliance monitoring - Notification of the relevant VP, HRBP, and General Counsel when any employee falls out of DOT compliance. - Driver safety warning issuance and logging per company policy; ensuring VP and supervisor acknowledgment and signatures are obtained. - Escalation to HR for disciplinary matters arising from driving violations or DOT non-compliance. - Regular collaboration with the Director of Safety on fleet loss trends, MVR data, accident patterns, and near-miss data. Restoration- Specific Risk - Manage insurance and claims risks specific to restoration work -- mold remediation, fire damage, water intrusion, and hazardous material handling. - Ensure insurance coverage adequately addresses restoration-specific exposures. - Collaborate with the Director of Safety on job site exposures unique to restoration environments. - Identify and assess emerging risks tied to restoration methods, materials, and regulatory changes. Risk Assessment & Contract Risk - Conduct risk assessments and develop risk profiles for individual projects. - Ensure all relevant project risks are documented and understood by project teams. - Provide risk assessment and recommendations on project markups and contract negotiations. - Review, advise, and recommend positions on company contract risk and negotiations. - Review and coordinate contracts, including applicable language specific to each state BluSky operates in. - Partner with the VP of Procurement to identify third-party risk in new geographic markets. Insurance Program Management - The Risk Manager provides technical expertise to support the VP of Procurement, who owns the broker and carrier relationships. The Insurance Procurement Supervisor handles day-to-day execution; the Risk Manager provides oversight, strategy, and escalation. - Analyze all policies, insurable risks, and risk mitigation opportunities across all lines. - Support annual insurance program renewal -- loss analyses, submission review, premium analysis, and negotiation support. - Research current insurance trends, identify coverage gaps, and recommend risk reduction strategies. - Review and initiate appropriate insurance coverage and pricing for new bids and projects. - Ensure newly acquired entities and properties are added to existing insurance policies. - Manage master Builders Risk program reporting and premium allocations. - Review controlled insurance program terms and conditions; serve as liaison between all participants. - Oversee compliance with controlled insurance program enrollment, payroll, WC, and contract deadlines. - Support budgets, forecasts, and financial reports related to insurance program performance. - Prepare safety audits as required by insurance carriers and the captive insurance program. - Coordinate insurance information entry into project management platforms (e.g., Procore/BIM). - Manage project insurance manuals and ensure receipt and review prior to project award dates.   Bonds & Safety - Oversee BluSky's bonding program -- bid bonds, permit bonds, license bonds, performance and payment bonds. - Coordinate with the surety brokerage team and internal licensing staff on bond requests, renewals, transfers, and cancellations. - Maintain current EMR letter, proof of insurance, and bondability letter. - Support estimating and project management with bond-related requirements at bid and contract stages.   Captive & Coverage Decisions - Understand BluSky's captive structure and direct proper claim routing decisions (captive vs. commercial). - Identify coverage issues early and draft or oversee coverage position and reservation of rights letters. - Manage TPA relationships; provide directions to third-party administrators and defense attorneys. - Work with finance on reserve impacts, loss forecasting, premium allocations, and billing rates. - Apply post-loss reduction techniques including salvage, subrogation, and rehabilitation.   Litigation & Legal Management - Serve as liaison to General Counsel, outside attorneys, and insurance companies on incidents that may result in asset loss or lawsuits. - Investigate incidents proactively; keep General Counsel and leadership updated on all open incidents, claims, and lawsuits. - Assign and direct outside counsel across all lines of coverage. - Review and approve litigation budgets and defense strategies. - Coordinate reporting of summons and complaints to brokers and insurance companies. - Work with legal to organize and prepare for depositions. - Attend quarterly claims management reviews with ownership and safety team. - Manage settlement authority -- both personal and team-level thresholds.   Business & Loss Reporting - Review and analyze loss control and trending reports across all lines. - Collaborate with the Director of Safety on incident and near-miss data to develop actionable risk-reduction strategies. - Produce claim trend reports by line, severity, and geography; provide recommendations to senior leadership on industry trends and problematic areas of risk. - Gather and maintain claims data for record keeping and loss forecasting. - Leverage RMIS and other data systems to support reporting and analytics. - Establish monthly and quarterly market trend reporting connected to internal control measures. - Use performance metrics and benchmarking to drive continuous improvement in risk outcomes - Lead and take minutes for monthly department review meetings. - Create and maintain contingency plans and business continuity frameworks. - Work with contract administrators supporting business risk for pending contracts across BluSky.     SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: This position is responsible for managing the Insurance Procurement Supervisor and Risk Management team members.   QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:   Experience - Minimum 7--10 years of risk management and claims experience specific to the restoration and/or construction industry - At least 2--3 years in a supervisory or team leadership role - Hands-on experience with insurance procurement, claims handling, and TPA management - Demonstrated experience with early injury intervention programs, Transition to Work programs, and WC claims management - Experience with MVR administration, DOT compliance, or fleet claims management a plus - Member/participant of multiple risk management and insurance conferences and seminars -- NSC, RIMS, IRMI, Raffles/captive conferences preferred   Skills & Competencies - Strategic thinker with a proactive, initiative-driven approach to risk management - Strong analytical, organizational, and written/oral communication skills - Strong leadership -- able to manage a team and foster a collaborative work environment - Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment - Deep understanding of contractual risk transfer and construction/restoration insurance nuances - Strong negotiation skills for working with brokers, carriers, and TPAs - Working knowledge of RMIS, Procore, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel proficiency required) - High level of professionalism and confidentiality - Sound judgment on coverage, reserve adequacy, and settlement values - Excellent attention to detail across documentation, deadlines, and compliance   Certifications (Preferred) - Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) - Associate in risk management (ARM) - Certified Risk Manager (CRM) - Certified Safety Professional (CSP)   EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree required (Risk Management, Business, Construction Management, or related field preferred. WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL JOB DEMANDS The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters performing the essential functions of this job.   This position plays a crucial role in supporting our operations that run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The nature of this role requires a high degree of flexibility, as it entails working various shifts that may include days, nights, weekends, and holidays. This flexibility is essential to ensure that we consistently meet the needs and expectations of our customers, regardless of the time or day. Employees must be prepared to adapt their schedules as necessary to maintain seamless operational continuity and high levels of customer service.   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. The employee is required to regularly move and walk around the office.   TRAVEL: Ability to travel (including air travel) approximately 25% of the time.   COMPENSATION: BluSky offers a competitive base salary, a bonus plan for qualified positions, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes: a matching 401(k) plan, health insurance (medical, dental and vision), paid time off, equipment appropriate to the position (i.e.: laptop, smart phone, etc.), and corporate apparel allowance.   BluSky also offers extended benefits such as: Hybrid Work, Employee Assistance Program, Accident & Critical Illness Coverage, Vendor discounts and more.     EEOC: BluSky is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. BluSky prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 or over, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other applicable status protected by Federal, State, or local law. It is and will continue to be the policy of BluSky that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity based on their individual qualifications, performance, and potential without regard for any protected status, as required by state and federal law.