Assistant Director of Subcontractor Prequalification

Employment Type: Full-Time

FSLA: Salary/Exempt

Division: Finance

Department: Corporate Accounting

Reports to: Vice President of Finance

Supervisory Duties: Yes

Salary Range: $170,000 - $200,000

The Assistant Director of Subcontractor Prequalification is responsible for the strategic leadership, oversight, and continuous improvement of the company's Subcontractor Default Insurance (SDI) program and subcontractor prequalification processes. This position serves as the organization's subject matter expert for subcontractor financial and operational risk assessment, SDI policy administration, insurance procurement, and subcontractor performance monitoring.

The Assistant Director works closely with Finance, Procurement, Legal, Operations, Safety, Risk Management, and Executive Leadership to minimize subcontractor default exposure while supporting project execution and business growth. The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in construction risk management, subcontractor prequalification best practices, insurance policy negotiation, financial statement analysis, and SDI program administration.

Responsibilities / Essential Functions

SDI Program Leadership

• Lead all aspects of the company's SDI program, including policy administration, compliance, claims management, reporting, and renewals.
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize subcontractor default risk and maximize insurance coverage effectiveness.
• Serve as the primary liaison with insurance carriers, brokers, underwriters, and third-party administrators.
• Negotiate policy terms, coverage enhancements, limits, deductibles, endorsements, and premium structures.
• Oversee SDI claims investigation, documentation, recovery efforts, and carrier interactions.
• Monitor emerging industry trends, claim developments, and market conditions impacting SDI programs.
• Develop executive reporting on SDI performance, loss trends, default events, recoveries, and program effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with carrier requirements and internal risk management standards.

Subcontractor Prequalification Program Management

• Own and continuously improve the company's subcontractor prequalification program.
• Establish and maintain consistent qualification standards across all regions and offices.
• Evaluate subcontractor financial strength, liquidity, backlog, work-in-progress schedules, bonding capacity, insurance coverage, safety performance, and operational capabilities.
• Review and analyze audited financial statements, CPA-reviewed statements, tax returns, and other financial information.
• Implement best-in-class prequalification processes, technology platforms, and reporting tools.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and identify early warning indicators of financial or operational distress.
• Partner with project teams to develop mitigation plans for elevated-risk subcontractors.

Insurance Procurement & Risk Transfer

• Lead procurement and negotiation of SDI and related construction risk insurance programs.
• Collaborate with brokers to evaluate market alternatives and optimize program structure.
• Analyze coverage options, pricing models, and retention levels.
• Evaluate contractual risk transfer requirements and insurance obligations.
• Recommend and implement improvements in insurance program design and risk financing strategies.
• Stay informed regarding industry developments affecting construction insurance markets.

Risk Assessment & Financial Analysis

• Conduct detailed financial reviews of subcontractors and specialty trade partners.
• Assess liquidity, leverage, profitability, cash flow, backlog adequacy, and working capital.
• Develop risk models and scoring methodologies to support approval decisions.
• Evaluate subcontractor capacity relative to project size and complexity.
• Identify concentration risks within regions, trades, and major projects.
• Support executive decision-making through data-driven analysis and reporting.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Collaborate with Finance, Procurement, Legal, Operations, Safety, and Risk Management teams regarding subcontractor risk issues.
• Participate in bid reviews and major project risk assessments.
• Develop subcontractor risk management policies and procedures.
• Deliver training programs for project executives, project managers, and procurement teams.
• Support due diligence efforts for acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic initiatives involving subcontractors.

Program Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards for subcontractor risk management.
• Benchmark company practices against industry standards.
• Lead audits of prequalification and SDI processes.
• Implement technology solutions to improve workflow efficiency and reporting.
• Prepare reports and presentations for executive leadership and Board-level risk discussions.
• Maintain documentation supporting compliance, governance, and underwriting requirements.

Key Skills

• Deep knowledge of SDI programs and industry best practices.
• Strong understanding of construction risk management and risk transfer strategies.
• Advanced knowledge of construction insurance coverages and policy language.
• Expertise in subcontractor prequalification methodologies.
• Strong financial statement analysis skills.
• Knowledge of surety, bonding, contract administration, and construction operations.
• Exceptional negotiation and relationship management capabilities.
• Ability to assess risk and make balanced business decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication, and executive presentation skills.
• Ability to translate complex risk concepts into actionable business decisions.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressive experience in construction risk management, subcontractor prequalification, insurance, surety, or related fields.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership or management role.
• Demonstrated experience managing SDI programs.
• Significant experience evaluating subcontractor financial statements and operational risk.
• Proven experience negotiating complex insurance policies and broker relationships.
• Experience developing and implementing subcontractor prequalification programs.