Risk Manager

Risk Manager Position

The City of Santa Barbara Finance Department is seeking a dynamic and strategic Risk Manager. Under administrative direction and reporting to the Finance Director, this position provides expert guidance on all risk management and insurance programs, manages and administers the City's risk management programs, including Workers' Compensation, general liability, and property and casualty insurance claims.

Responsibilities include evaluating, procuring, and renewing insurance programs; administering employee workplace safety and training programs, wellness, and training initiatives; maintaining loss and self-insured retention records; and coordinating insurance and indemnity provisions. The Risk Manager also oversees operational and claims budgets for Workers' Compensation and general liability programs, serves as a liaison with third-party administrators, legal counsel, City management, and other stakeholders in claims adjudication, and performs related duties as assigned.

The Risk Management team consists of five full-time positions, including the Risk Manager who supervises two Risk Analyst II positions and two Risk Analyst I positions. This industry professional will serve as a key member of Santa Barbara's leadership team, partnering with staff in other departments to limit risk exposure and ensure the safety of City employees and community members. The Risk Manager should have an adaptive and flexible management style able to work with diverse stakeholders with varying levels of knowledge and effectively multi-task to address competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

The Risk Manager serves as a voting member of the Joint Powers Authority for California Cities Excess Liability (ACCEL). The Authority is a group of medium-size California cities self-insuring their catastrophic losses. Each member city has a representative on the Board of Directors. The Board and its committees are responsible for deciding the risks the Authority will underwrite, monitoring the costs of large claims, and arranging financial programs.

Hybrid/Flexible Work Schedule: This position has the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule. Schedule options. Schedules are dependent upon operational needs and are subject to change. Details of teleworking considerations can be addressed during the interview process.

Salary Information: The current salary range for the Risk Manager classification is $144,161.94 - $175,229.86 annually. The revised salary range of $159,140 - $193,434 annually, as reflected above, is pending City Council approval.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Risk Manager is a division management level classification, having broad responsibility for a diverse range of claims, safety, and insurance management functions. This position is distinguished from the Budget Manager and General Services Manager positions by its greater breadth of responsibility for risk management and safety administration functions, knowledge of statutory and claims management requirements, and third-party administrative functions. The Risk Manager has lesser responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day functions of the department than the Assistant Finance Director and Controller.