Risk Manager (Travis County Employees Only)

Full Job Description

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 County’s self-insurance programs, claims administration, and loss control efforts.

The Risk Manager ensures that divisional activities—including claims negotiation, contract insurance requirements, and safety training—align with the overarching Enterprise Risk Management department's 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.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's 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 Driver’s 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.

Skill in:

• 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.

Ability to:

• 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.

Additional Information

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: Shari.Campos-lopez@traviscountytx.gov

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.