Director of Employee Risk Management

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Director of Employee Risk Management is responsible for leading Cambridge Healthcare Services’ employee risk management, Workers’ Compensation and workplace safety programs across the organization. The position works closely with Human Resources, Operations, facility leadership, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, brokers, legal counsel and other partners to reduce employee injuries, manage claims effectively, promote safe work practices and minimize organizational risk.

The Director serves as a key resource to facilities and corporate leadership on Workers’ Compensation, employee safety and related risk matters and is expected to take a practical, hands-on approach to identifying issues, resolving problems and improving processes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership and oversight of the Workers’ Compensation program, including open claims, new claims, claim reviews and resolution strategies.

• Work closely with the Workers’ Compensation Specialist, third-party administrators, insurance carriers, brokers, legal counsel and facility leadership to ensure claims are handled timely and appropriately.

• Review significant, complex or high-exposure claims and recommend appropriate action.

• Monitor claim activity, trends, reserves and costs and identify opportunities to reduce Workers’ Compensation exposure.

• Coordinate regular claim reviews with internal and external partners.

• Oversee workplace safety programs and support facilities in preventing employee injuries and reducing workplace hazards.

• Monitor employee injury trends and identify recurring issues requiring corrective action, training or operational changes.

• Partner with facility leadership and Human Resources on accident investigations, corrective actions and follow-up.

• Support compliance with applicable OSHA, Cal/OSHA and other workplace safety requirements.

• Coordinate required reporting and response related to serious workplace injuries and safety matters.

• Assist facilities in responding to safety inspections, citations, investigations and other regulatory matters.

• Develop and maintain policies, procedures and practices related to Workers’ Compensation, employee safety and risk management.

• Provide training and guidance to Administrators, Human Resources, department leaders and other employees regarding Workers’ Compensation, injury prevention and workplace safety.

• Work with leadership to identify emerging risks and recommend practical measures to reduce organizational exposure.

• Maintain effective working relationships with insurance brokers, carriers, third-party administrators, attorneys, consultants and other outside partners.

• Participate in insurance renewal, loss-control and risk-management activities as needed.

• Maintain appropriate documentation, reporting and tracking of claims, safety issues and risk-management activities.

• Provide management with information regarding significant claims, trends, exposures and recommended actions.

• Travel to Cambridge facilities as necessary to investigate incidents, conduct assessments, provide training and support facility leadership.

• Perform other duties related to employee risk management, Workers’ Compensation and workplace safety as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Risk Management, Business Administration, Occupational Safety or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in Workers’ Compensation, employee risk management, workplace safety or a related field.

• Experience managing Workers’ Compensation claims in California required.

• Strong knowledge of California Workers’ Compensation requirements and claims-management practices.

• Working knowledge of Cal/OSHA and workplace safety requirements.

• Experience in healthcare, skilled nursing, long-term care or another multi-location environment strongly preferred.

• Experience working with third-party administrators, insurance carriers, brokers and legal counsel.

• Experience reviewing claims data and identifying trends, exposures and opportunities for improvement.

• Ability and willingness to travel to facilities throughout California as needed.

• Professional certification such as ARM, CPCU, CSP, WCCP or similar risk, safety or Workers’ Compensation credential preferred but not required.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong judgment and practical problem-solving skills.

• Ability to independently manage multiple claims, projects and priorities.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to recognize patterns and emerging risks.

• Ability to communicate effectively with executives, facility leaders, employees, insurance professionals, attorneys and outside partners.

• Strong organizational and follow-through skills.

• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters appropriately.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, decentralized environment.

• Ability to influence operational leaders and drive corrective action without direct authority.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office and claims, safety or risk-management systems.

Working Conditions:

May encounter frequent interruptions and changing priorities.

May interact with employees, facility leadership, insurance representatives, attorneys and government agencies.

May occasionally be required to work beyond normal business hours based on operational needs or significant incidents.

May be required to respond to urgent safety, Workers’ Compensation or risk-management matters.

Requires regular travel to healthcare facilities throughout California.

While visiting facilities, may be exposed to infectious diseases, bodily fluids, hazardous materials, cleaning chemicals and other conditions normally associated with a healthcare environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to move throughout corporate and healthcare facility environments. 

• Ability to sit, stand and walk for extended periods as necessary. 

• Ability to use a computer and review electronic and written records for extended periods. 

• Must be able to travel by automobile and other forms of transportation as required. 

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.