Director of Risk Management and Safety

Job Title: Director of Risk Management and Safety Position Summary The Director of Risk Management & Safety is responsible for the strategic oversight and day‑to‑day administration of the company’s risk management, insurance, workplace safety, and workers’ compensation programs for a diverse workforce of approximately 5,000 employees of the company and affiliated entities supported by the company. This role ensures compliance with Hawaii‑specific regulatory requirements, minimizes financial and operational risk, reduces workplace injuries, and supports a safe work environment across retail stores, distribution, offices, and support operations. This is a hands‑on role and partners closely with Operations, HR, Legal, Finance, and third‑party vendors to proactively manage claims, safety programs, and loss prevention initiatives. Key Responsibilities Develop and manage the enterprise risk management strategy across all business entities. Oversee insurance programs, including general liability and property. Serve as primary liaison with insurance brokers, carriers, TPAs, and legal counsel. Assist with annual insurance renewals, exposure data, and loss runs. Partner with Finance/VP of HR on premiums, reserves, claims forecasting, and budgeting. Oversee claims trends at a macro & micro level and cost‑of‑risk modeling. Report risk exposure and trends to CEO, VP of HR, and senior leadership. Support business continuity, incident response, and crisis management planning. Oversee the full lifecycle of workers’ compensation claims under Hawaii WC laws, including first report of injury, claims investigation and documentation, coordination with TPAs and medical providers, return‑to‑work and transitional duty programs. Train managers in injury reporting, documentation, and employee communications. Ensure timely reporting and compliance with the Hawaii Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR). Monitor WC costs, experience modification rates (EMR), and claim performance. Coordinate with defense counsel on litigated claims. Assist with all types of insurance settlement negotiations, including worker’s compensation within authority. Prepare documentation and summaries for hearings, mediations, and appeals. Analyze claims trends and implement loss reduction strategies. Partner with HR and Legal on claim disputes, litigation, and settlements. Oversee the total cost of workers’ compensation (indemnity, medical, expenses). Oversee WC budgets, reserves, and forecasts. Work with CEO, VP of HR, and senior leadership to set key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics to meet overall cost‑cutting initiatives. Analyze loss trends and drive long‑term cost reduction initiatives. Evaluate deductible levels, self‑insurance structures, or captives (with Risk/Finance). Third‑Party Administrator (TPA) & Vendor Oversight Manage, and hold TPAs accountable. Set service standards, KPIs, and audit expectations. Oversee relationships with medical provider networks, nurse case management, IME providers, defense counsel. Escalate and resolve systemic performance issues. Safety & Loss Prevention Lead the company‑wide safety, security, and emergency planning program across all business entity operations. Develop and conduct proactive safety training, increase engagement, training, and accountability. Collaborate on development and implementation of preventive security training and programs with director of security. Ensure director of security performs security audits related performance and conduct physical surveys of premise security, including security equipment condition. Develop and conduct emergency training plans. Develop, implement, and maintain safety policies and procedures aligned with. Conduct safety audits, inspections, and hazard assessments at store and facility levels, including audits of food safety. Investigate serious incidents and near misses; implement corrective action plans. Partner with Operations to address ergonomic risks, material handling, slips/trips/falls, and equipment safety. Oversee safety training programs for managers and employees. Compliance & Regulatory Oversight Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local safety and workers’ compensation regulations. Maintain OSHA logs, injury records, and required postings. Support regulatory audits, inspections, and inquiries. Maintain documentation and reporting across all business entities. Partner with Legal on litigation strategy and risk exposure, regulatory compliance and audits, contractual risk transfer (indemnification, insurance requirements), and oversight of ensuring workplace is free of hazardous materials. Cross‑Functional Partnership Partner with Operations on store‑level safety execution. Partner with HR on employee relations, accommodations, and return‑to‑work. Partner with Legal regarding claims, litigation, and labor‑related risks. Partner with Finance on cost control and insurance strategy. Serve as a trusted advisor to leadership on risk exposure and mitigation strategies. Support labor relations matters where safety or WC issues intersect with union activity. Leadership & Program Management Develop safety, security, and risk management standards across all business entities. Influence and guide leaders. Lead vendor relationships and ensure service‑level accountability. Prepare reports and presentations for VP of HR as needed. Set department goals, metrics, and budgets. Develop policies and standards for risk management practices. Mentor and develop risk managers. Influence executive decision‑making through risk‑based insights. Qualifications Required Bachelor’s degree in risk management, Safety, Human Resources, Business, or related field. 7+ years of progressive experience in workplace safety, strong knowledge of Hawaii workers’ compensation laws and OSH requirements, experience working with insurance carriers, TPAs, brokers, and legal counsel, and strong analytical, communication, and critical thinking skills. Preferred Experience supporting large, multi‑site retail or grocery operations. Experience supporting unionized workforces. Experience in grocery, retail, distribution, or hospitality environments. Experience managing programs across multiple legal entities. Physical & Work Environment Regular travel to stores and facilities across Hawaii. Ability to conduct onsite safety inspections. Hybrid office role. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr