Operational Risk Manager Jobs in San Diego, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $122,073.10 - $195,312.53 Annually
Location : 810 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: FY2027-00009
Department: Office of Chief General Counsel Division
Division: GENERAL COUNSEL
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Under direction of the Deputy General Counsel, the Enterprise Risk Manager develops, implements, manages, and evaluates the Enterprise Risk Management program for the District including general insurance and property/liability claims. The Enterprise Risk Manager will be responsible for performing inspections and preparing, adjusting, and investigating claims, and determining final disposition of claims, preparing risk reports and filings, procuring various insurance coverages, coordinating with claims adjusters, District contractors and staff, and other typical risk management activities, as well as providing support to the Office of Chief General Counsel. The Enterprise Risk Manager ensures, to the extent possible, all areas of risk are proactively reviewed and actioned. This position also serves as the primary contact for receipt, investigation and disposition of Government Claims received by the District.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This position is distinguished by the performance of a full range of professional risk management duties as assigned, working independently, applying skills and knowledge to risk management and insurance functions of routine to moderate complexity. The individual in this role must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as customer service skills for both external and internal customers.
The individual in this position is designated as a Confidential Employee as they will be privy to highly confidential and sensitive information on internal District matters pertaining to the decision-making process on matters relating to potential and current litigation, labor relations and/or personnel and employment, and other items of general legal and/or liability concerns. This position is designated as "at-will".
Supervision Received and Exercised
This position reports to the Deputy General Counsel. This position does not exercise any direct supervisory authority but does provide general direction and guidance to staff as necessary to fulfill enterprise risk management duties in support of the Office of Chief General Counsel. This position is expected to participate in the sharing of expert knowledge and as a vital member of various project teams that may be instituted.
Working Conditions
Normal working conditions for this position are in both an office and field setting. Business travel may be required periodically between District sites, governmental agencies, consultant's facilities, and other locations, as required.
Examples of Duties
Essential Functions
Duties may include, but not limited to, the following:

• Develops, implements and directs the goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for enterprise-wide risk management.
• Confers with and provides professional assistance to various District Divisions on risk management related matters.
• Investigates and resolves all property and liability claims made against the District in consultation with the Deputy General Counsel.
• Coordinate with the District's third-party administrator (TPA) to manage, monitor, and resolve claims efficiently and in alignment with agency policies, and recommends settlement amounts on all claims and litigation against the District.
• Review and verify discovery responses in connection with litigation filed against the District, in collaboration with the Deputy General Counsel and relevant departments.
• Develops and recommends programs relating to reducing and/or preventing District liability.
• Collaborate and coordinate with stakeholders throughout NCTD, including but not limited to Safety Department staff, Senior Legal Counsel - Regulatory Compliance and Senior Legal Counsel - Employment & Civil Rights, regarding risk management and mitigation for both general operational and situational specific matters.
• Coordinates cost recovery/subrogation program. Evaluates and interprets reports and other data from third party claims administrators, as appropriate.
• Oversees and administers all insurance issues for the District, works with outside contractors and brokers; reviews, modifies, and negotiates insurance agreements; oversees and maintains all certificates of insurance for the District.
• Participates in performing market cost/benefit analysis; prepares and reviews request for proposals (RFPs), bid specifications and agreements; completes and reviews all insurance and risk management questionnaires.
• Adjusts liability and cost recovery claims, as assigned.
• Reviews procurement and contracting documents and activities and identifies appropriate indemnification and insurance requirements to mitigate areas of risk and liability, including right-of-way permits and license agreements.
• Coordinates and manages all insurance policies and programs on behalf of the District and oversee all functions related to the District's Broker of Record.
• Performs comprehensive reviews and analyses and develops recommendations regarding the District's insurance needs; develops insurance specifications and prepares all statistical data to provide prospective underwriters with specifics for rating premiums; analyzes and recommends appropriate levels of self-insurance retention and policy limits.
• Monitors insurance or risk management-related legislation, legal cases, and court decisions to evaluate their impact on the District, and develops recommendations or implement technical, policy and procedural modifications, as necessary.
• Oversees the District's Risk Register, ensuring accurate documentation and timely updates of all identified risks, mitigation measures, and status changes. Serves as Chairperson of the District's Risk Roundtable meetings, with responsibility for coordinating meeting logistics, including calendar management, agenda preparation, and documentation of meeting minutes. Issue Corrective Actions Plans (CAPs) for Risk Register items requiring resolution, monitors implementation progress, and tracks each CAP through to full closure to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
• Represents the District in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, transit and professional organizations, and the public.
• Completes statistical and other reports requested by the Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Chief General Counsel and as mandated by applicable regulatory agencies.
• Coordinates and administers various safety and risk reduction training programs and related presentations, as required.
• Responds to subpoenas and other legal discovery work as assigned.
• Represents the District at some legal proceedings, such as small claims matters, hearings, mediations, depositions, etc.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends, innovations, and legal issues in the field of risk management
• Maintains Office of Chief General Counsel filings and document repository related to insurance, claims and litigation.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications
Experience/Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Risk Management, Public Administration, or a related field is required.
• A minimum of five (5) years directly relevant experience is required, including administering risk management, risk analysis, third-party property/liability claims or similar programs, and overseeing an organization's full insurance portfolio (property, liability, cyber, workers' comp, etc.)
• Experience in a public agency environment is preferred.

A combination of experience/skills and education to fulfill the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position may be considered.
Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation and/or insurance-related designation (e.g., AINS, AU, CPCU) is preferred.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain annual access to Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton.
• Possession of and the ability to maintain a California driver's license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the prior 3 years, and no DUIs in the prior 7 years.
• Maintain compliance with the District's policies regarding Standard of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, and Ethics.

General Requirements

• Knowledge of principles, practices and methods of risk management and asset protection, particularly in the liability claims administration, related to general and financial liability protection and requirements.
• Knowledge of the methods of research and analysis of risk management.
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply specific risk management policies and procedures, as well as applicable federal and state regulations, insurance, labor and environmental codes, loss protection and control methods, statistical and financial analysis, and record keeping principles and practices.
• Ability to create and maintain good working relationships through excellent communication and teambuilding skills; including the ability to engage successfully with both internal and external contacts and the public.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; ability to gather, organize, analyze, and present data to appropriate sources.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to prepare and deliver clear and concise reports.
• A professional level of expertise in multiple areas and demonstrated use of high-level discretion and judgment in execution of duties is preferred.
• Highly confidential and able to handle difficult situations with diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to manage and maintain simultaneous, transitional, and emerging priorities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer software programs including Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee must possess the ability to use the phone and computer for extended periods, manual dexterity to complete clerical functions and work with office equipment and lift equipment up to 25 pounds daily.
• The employee must be able to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information.
• The employee must be able to physically travel between District locations and other destinations, work in evenings and weekends when required, work in hazardous conditions, and negotiate a variety of different and irregular terrain as is typical along a railway right-of-way.
• The employee may be required to respond to accident scenes, and catastrophic or natural disasters.
• The employee may be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, chemicals. The employee must be able to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

• Ability to operate a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computer equipment, copy machine, and telephone.
• Ability to carry and operate a smart phone or similar on-call device.

Supplemental Information
Application Information:
All applicants must complete and submit an online application at .
A job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
NCTD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NCTD will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if NCTD is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the Civil Right's
NCTD provides its employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits are available to employees working 20+ hours per week, with any employer contributions prorated accordingly for employees who work less than 40 hours per week. Highlights are listed below:
Retirement:
CalPERS: NCTD participates in the CalPERS retirement program with benefit formulas of 1.5% @ 65. Benefits are calculated based on your age at retirement, the number of years of service credit with CalPERS, and the highest average pay rate in a 36 month period.
457 Deferred Compensation/401(a) Plans: NCTD offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation savings plan through VOYA. Employees are eligible upon hire, and can contribute a designated percentage of their compensation into the plan in accordance with IRS limits. Additionally, NCTD matches 50% of employee 457 contributions, up to 8% of payroll (4% max contribution) into a 401(a) plan. Employees are vested in NCTD contributions over a 3 year period.
Medical Insurance: NCTD participates in the CalPERS medical insurance program and offers a rich variety of plans to choose from. NCTD contributes towards monthly medical premiums. If selected coverage is greater than the NCTD contribution, employees will pay the additional premium via pre-tax payroll deduction.
Dental Insurance: NCTD offers dental coverage through United Concordia with a PPO or DHMO option.
Vision Insurance: NCTD offers vision insurance through EyeMed.
Life Insurance: NCTD provides group Life/AD&D insura