Risk Operations and Safety Director

Position Overview:
The Risk Operations and Safety Director leads a team of claims and risk management (safety) professionals focused on improving workers’ compensation outcomes and reducing risk across a nationwide client base.

This role is responsible for overseeing the performance of two PEO relationships, with a primary focus on workers’ compensation claim management and risk reduction strategies. The Director manages a team whose responsibilities are split between driving claims toward efficient resolution and supporting clients through field-based safety consulting aimed at reducing loss frequency and severity.

While this position does not directly control client operations or compliance, it plays a key role in influencing client safety practices by providing guidance, analytics, and practical risk mitigation strategies aligned with OSHA standards and industry best practices.

The Director reports to executive leadership and contributes to the development of team goals and operational priorities. Day-to-day responsibilities include leading and coaching both claims and field safety teams, overseeing TPA performance, addressing client-related risk issues, and using data and trend analysis to guide decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.

This role also includes direct oversight of field safety consultants and requires balancing strategic direction with hands-on leadership across a geographically distributed team.

Success in this position is measured by improved workers’ compensation performance, including reductions in claim frequency and severity, decreased open claim inventory, and overall improvement in loss ratios across the book of business.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Manages the daily workflow of the risk management and safety departments;
• Oversees claims administration, loss prevention and billing staff;
• Oversees the daily activities and deliverables of the risk team and field safety teams;
• Works with upper management to grow the operations and efficacy of the risk management department;
• Oversees all claim activity and manages relationships with carriers and other departments;
• Updates upper management on weekly client status, identified trends, financial status, risk analysis and loss prevention activities;
• Recruits and hires risk management staff and conducts performance evaluations;
• Coordinates training programs for new staff and identifies training needs for current staff;

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Leads division that develops and helps to implement workplace safety, risk management, and loss prevention programs in alignment with applicable OSHA, and regulatory standards;
• Leads the development of safety policies, procedures, training programs, and educational materials for internal staff and client organizations;
• Provide strategic guidance to clients and internal stakeholders regarding workplace safety, claims management, incident prevention, and operational risk reduction initiatives;
• Identify operational, safety, regulatory, and financial risks affecting client organizations and recommend corrective actions and risk mitigation strategies;
• Conduct and oversee risk assessments, audits, and trend analyses utilizing claims data, operational metrics, loss history, and other relevant reporting;
• Establish, review, and enhance policies, procedures, and controls designed to reduce organizational risk exposure and improve operational performance;
• Recommend and support implementation of risk management solutions, including safety initiatives, business continuity planning, recovery strategies, and insurance-related recommendations;
• Oversee workers’ compensation claims management operations, collaborating with carriers, TPAs, brokers, adjusters, and internal stakeholders to improve claim outcomes, reduce reserve exposure, and accelerate claim resolution;
• Monitor and analyze claims trends, loss drivers, and performance metrics to identify opportunities for improved client outcomes and cost containment;
• Support client incident investigations and corrective action planning as needed to assist in reducing future loss exposure;
• Develop reporting, budgets, performance metrics, and executive summaries related to risk management, safety performance, and claims operations;
• Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development support to Risk & Safety personnel, Claims associates, management and administration;
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements, industry trends, and best practices related to workplace safety, risk management, and workers’ compensation;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Metric for Success:

• Ensures a five (5) percent reduction, at minimum, of total collateral per month;
• Ensures at least five (5) safety and risk site visits, per staff member, per month;
• Updates upper management and Human Resources on client status, identified trends, etc weekly;
• Produces weekly report of claims reserve account;
• Provides reports of claims activity to management weekly, with use of technologies to perform analytics;

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of risk management principles, workplace safety programs, and loss prevention strategies;
• Thorough understanding of workers’ compensation claims management practices, regulatory requirements, and claims resolution processes;
• Working knowledge of applicable OSHA regulations, including general industry and construction standards, with the ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements in operational environments;
• Demonstrated ability to identify operational risks, analyze complex issues, and develop practical, results-oriented solutions;
• Strong leadership, supervisory, coaching, and team development skills;
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities;
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, present recommendations, and communicate with executive leadership, clients, carriers, TPAs, and employees at all organizational levels;
• Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships with individuals of diverse backgrounds and business disciplines;
• Demonstrated ability to manage shifting priorities, deadlines, and multiple projects in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong attention to detail, professionalism, initiative, and customer service orientation;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, claims management systems, reporting platforms, and other business technologies;
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development related to workplace safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance;
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed to support client and operational requirements;
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record;
• Ability to report in person to the Escondido office on a periodic basis as business needs require.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Risk Management, Occupational Safety, or related field;
• 7–10 years of experience in risk management, workers’ compensation, safety, or loss prevention.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant professional certifications in risk management, safety, workers’ compensation, or occupational health preferred, including but not limited to ARM, CSP, COSS, or OSHA Master Certification;
• Experience leading geographically dispersed claims and risk management teams focused on client service and performance improvement;
• Resides within reasonable commuting distance of the Escondido office to support periodic in-person collaboration, leadership meetings, and operational needs;
• Experience working within a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) environment preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard;
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work, and vision requirements for construction site safety;
• Light to moderate lifting may be required;
• Ability to navigate site locations and complete inspections in construction areas safety required;
• Regular, predictable attendance is required; including quarter-driven hours as business demands dictate;
• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic);
• Ability to work in a confined area;
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.

Salary Range:

• $141,000 - $182,000 a year

Disclaimer:

This Job Description is only a summary of the typical functions of the position or role, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties. Additionally, responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the employee in this role might differ from those outlined in the Job Description and other duties may be assigned on a permanent or temporary basis based on business needs.

The Job Description is intended to be a general representation of the responsibilities and requirements of the job. However, the description may not be all-inclusive, and responsibilities and requirements are subject to change.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request.