Freelance Operational Risk Manager Jobs in California

Reports to:           Vice President / Director Risk Management

Responsibilities

Responsible for the administration of risk management programs and initiatives for XL Construction and XL Industries other affiliated entities. This position regularly interacts with operations staff, teams and projects, departments, risk management staff as well as XLI leadership.  Building relationships and being a trusted advisor are crucial in this role.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Overall: work with the Vice President / Director of Risk Management and other senior company leaders, department heads, project executives, and general superintendents to identify, assess, manage, and mitigate corporate and primarily project risks
• Operational Risk Mitigation: partner with Project Executives, Project Managers, and General Superintendents to mitigate project operations risks. This includes:
• Assisting with developing / enhancing, auditing, and driving implementation of, various operational tools, processes and behaviors that reduce the risk of project execution and enhance project delivery
• Administrating the Project Execution Plan process through project setup, compliance, and providing input in project meetings
• Lead, participate in risk register workshops and operational risk reviews to identify key areas of risk, maintain risk registers and mitigation strategies
• Evaluating select projects for compliance with XL’s procedures and performance to plan with the primary goals of:
• providing any training / input to the project team to ensure compliance, effectiveness and efficiency; and
• assisting the Project Executive, General Superintendent, and project team with any necessary corrective actions, notices or dispute resolution
• Assisting the VP of Operations with a focus on projects with elevated levels of risk
• Providing risk management services and support for XLI affiliated entities (Concrete & Self-Performed Carpentry)
• Contractual Support: support all aspects of legal risk management, including:
• Ensuring compliance with the Company’s contract review process and historical tracking administration
• Contract reviews and interaction with counsel, insurance, and XLI leadership to develop mutually agreeable terms (prime, subcontracts, design, miscellaneous)
• Maintenance of standard contract templates
• While rare, support senior executive team members with managing and resolving significant insurance claims, litigation matters or disputes (other than Workers’ Compensation claims):

• Managing communications and negotiations with insurers, including setting reserves with insurers and approving / negotiating assigned counsel
• Coordinating with the Risk Management leader, outside counsel, and leadership on dispute and claim resolution strategies, supporting work plans and implementation activities, and taking an active role in resolution(s)
• Departmental Interaction: leader or contributor in various cross-departmental initiatives and support needs
• Assure that operations teams have proper insurances, bonds, and other business risk protections are in place
• Work with other XLI departments on programs, implementation, and other support functions to limit risk on projects and within the organization, including for example preconstruction, quality control, scheduling, cost control, safety, and staffing support
• Interface with corporate insurance, surety, and trade prequalification departments in support of preconstruction and project needs
• Corporate & Risk Programs: with the Vice President of Risk Management and other XLI team members develop and manage programs to address company and operational risks, improve and optimize processes, and develop new initiatives
• Tracking and evaluating claims histories, and making recommendations to enhance Company policies and processes to counter any systemic risks
• Administration and tracking of Risk Team actions and initiatives, and document control
• Assist in the production of annual Risk Department Business Plans
• Lead or support the development of new programs and initiatives, updates of existing programs, and vision planning of future needs to best-position the company moving forward
• Training & Development: lead or support various training programs related to Risk
• Developing and implementing XLU courses associated with risk management or specific construction expertise possessed by him/her
• One-on-one coaching for Project Executives, Project Managers, and General Superintendents in risk-related matters
• Development of white papers and best practices
• Facilitating the sharing, and memorialization, of “lessons learned”  
• Reporting: various reports, updates to the Vice President Risk Management, company leadership, corporate, and senior project leaders on risks, status, and needs
• Corporate and entity governance management (license and annual state renewals)
• Stays educated regarding future trends so as to provide strategic planning, progressive and proactive risk mitigation opportunities and trends, and areas of development within XLI
• Performs additional assignments as required by company needs or as directed by the Vice President Risk Management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Education / Training / Experience
• BA/BS Degree
• +/- 5-10 years industry experience
• Served in a Project Manager or higher operations position; Risk related management role; or insurance background.
• Skilled at reviewing and negotiating a wide-variety of construction contracts (Lump-Sum, CMAR, D/B, LLB, IPD), subcontractors, and other agreement terms and conditions
• Experience with managing and mitigating construction industry risks; particularly with respect to general contracting with private commercial, institutional, and public entities constructing a variety of project sizes and types. Experience with trade contractors or self-perform work divisions is desirable.
• General knowledge related to construction industry insurance programs, including high-deductible, captive, and OCIP/CCIP programs.  

Skills / Abilities

• Very strong oral and written communication skills, the ability to work positively with XLI team member and peers, and using diplomacy and motivation to positively influence others
• Exceptional analytical skills; including the ability to:
• quickly assess potential risks associated with the strategic direction of the Company or a specific project and develop creative mitigation strategies
• analyze complex matters and develop proposed solutions
• develop and improve processes that better control and mitigate operational risks
• Strong negotiation, facilitation, and dispute resolution skills
• Ability to concisely and persuasively communicate positions and ideas verbally and in writing
• Capable of having impact through influence rather than direct control; including ability to establish trusting relationships with project teams, clients, designers and trade partners
• Ability to learn new subject matter quickly
• Strong industry reputation

Core Leadership Competencies

• Business Acumen
• Customer Focus
• Developing Direct Reports and Others
• Drive for Results
• Ethics and Values
• Motivating Others

Role Specific Competencies (Most Important)

• Integrity and Trust
• Conflict Management
• Decision Quality
• Managerial Courage
• Composure
• Negotiating
• Problem Solving