Risk Manager (Construction)

Job Summary

The Risk Management Director is responsible for leading and overseeing the company’s enterprise risk management and insurance programs across affordable housing development, construction, and property ownership. This role proactively identifies, evaluates, and mitigates organizational and project-level risks while ensuring appropriate insurance coverage, contractual risk allocation, claims management, and compliance.

The Risk Management Director partners closely with Executive Leadership, Finance, Development, Construction Operations, Legal, Human Resources, Property Management, insurance brokers, carriers, lenders, owners, and outside counsel to develop strategies that protect the company’s assets, financial interests, employees, projects, and reputation.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Risk Management

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the company’s enterprise risk management program.
• Identify, evaluate, and monitor operational, financial, contractual, legal, environmental, and construction-related risks.
• Partner with Executive Leadership to develop risk mitigation strategies that support business growth.
• Monitor changing risk profiles throughout development, construction, lease-up, stabilization, and ownership.
• Establish risk management policies, procedures, controls, and best practices across the organization.

Insurance Program Management

• Lead the design, procurement, negotiation, and administration of corporate and project-specific insurance programs.
• Oversee Builder’s Risk, General Liability, Professional Liability, Pollution Liability, Umbrella/Excess Liability, Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Auto, Cyber Liability, Property Insurance, OCIPs, and CCIPs.
• Manage relationships with insurance brokers, carriers, and other risk partners.
• Lead annual insurance renewals and evaluate coverage, pricing, deductibles, and self-insured retention structures.
• Evaluate alternative risk financing strategies when appropriate.
• Monitor the company’s total cost of risk and identify opportunities for cost reduction.

Project Risk & Contract Administration

• Review contracts, subcontracts, consultant agreements, and owner agreements for insurance and risk allocation requirements.
• Ensure contractual requirements appropriately protect the company.
• Oversee subcontractor and consultant insurance compliance, including COIs, endorsements, and policy requirements.
• Partner with project teams on risk analysis, insurance requirements, and contract-related risk issues.
• Support preconstruction, project pursuits, and contract negotiations.

Claims Management

• Oversee the administration and resolution of insurance claims.
• Coordinate claim investigations with carriers, brokers, legal counsel, and project teams.
• Monitor claim reserves, settlements, and overall claim activity.
• Analyze claims trends and implement loss-prevention strategies.
• Maintain accurate claims documentation and reporting.

Regulatory Compliance & Affordable Housing Requirements

• Ensure insurance programs meet lender, investor, owner, and government agency requirements.
• Oversee insurance compliance related to HPD, HDC, HUD, NYCHA, NYSERDA, tax credit programs, and other affordable housing financing requirements.
• Coordinate insurance documentation for project financing, closings, audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Monitor regulatory and industry changes affecting construction and real estate risk.

Risk Analysis & Reporting

• Develop risk metrics, dashboards, and reports for Executive Leadership.
• Analyze claims, insurance costs, loss history, and emerging risks.
• Maintain corporate risk registers and monitor key exposures.
• Recommend improvements to internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Lead annual insurance budgeting and forecasting.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as the company’s primary resource for risk management and insurance matters.
• Partner with Development, Construction, Finance, Human Resources, Property Management, and Legal to proactively address risk.
• Support due diligence for acquisitions, financing, and new development opportunities.
• Provide guidance and training to internal teams on risk management and insurance best practices.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brokers, carriers, owners, lenders, consultants, and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business Administration, Finance, Construction Management, Insurance, or a related field required.
• 7–10+ years of progressive experience in risk management, insurance, construction, real estate development, or a related field.
• Experience managing enterprise or project-level risk programs within construction or real estate preferred.
• Strong knowledge of construction contracts, commercial insurance, risk transfer, and claims management.
• Experience working with insurance brokers, carriers, legal counsel, lenders, and public agencies.
• Experience with affordable housing development and construction preferred.
• Professional designations such as ARM, CPCU, CRM, or CRIS are a plus.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.

Relevant Skills/Abilities

• Strong understanding of construction and real estate risk management and commercial insurance programs.
• Excellent analytical, financial, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to interpret insurance policies, contracts, and legal agreements.
• Strong leadership and relationship management abilities.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across active projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of discretion, accountability, and professional judgment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Experience with insurance tracking, claims management, and document management systems preferred.

Working Conditions:

This position is based at the corporate headquarters in Yonkers, NY, with occasional travel to construction sites throughout the New York City metropolitan area. The role requires flexibility in working across both office and field environments in a dynamic construction setting.