Director Of Risk Management And Legal

Snyder Langston Holdings; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Snyder Langston seeks a Director of Risk Management and Legal in Irvine, CA to lead insurance, bonding, legal and contractual risk programs. This executive role protects the firm’s people, financial strength and operations by identifying, evaluating, mitigating and insuring risks across projects.

The Director partners with Executive Leadership and Project Teams to implement risk management strategies, ensure compliance, and maximize value while minimizing exposure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 10+ years in construction/insurance risk
• JD preferred but not required
• Strong leadership and communication skills are essential

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial insurance and bonding programs, renewals, coverage strategy, and broker/carrier relationships
• Own Subcontractor Default Insurance program and prequalification processes
• Oversee insurance, legal, SDI and warranty claims from notification to resolution
• Review prime contracts for insurance, indemnity and risk provisions and negotiate with Operations
• Report to President/COO and mentor Insurance Coordinator

Skills

Risk management

Insurance management

Contractual risk transfer

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris Doctor (JD) preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

ROLE PURPOSE

The Director of Risk Management and Legal provides executive-level leadership for Snyder Langston's risk management functions, including insurance, bonding, legal, and contractual functions.

The Director protects the company's people, financial strength, reputation and operations by identifying, evaluating, mitigating, insuring and managing the risks inherent in the business.

The Director serves as Snyder Langston's senior resource to minimize risk and works collaboratively with Executive Leadership and Project Teams to identify exposures, provide clear recommendations and ensure risk management programs are effectively executed.

REPORTS TO

President/COO

DIRECT REPORTS

Insurance Coordinator

LEADERSHIP MANDATE

Operate as an Executive Leader and Trusted Advisor while maintaining strong working relationships and communication with Operations, Finance, Administration and Safety personnel as well as outside counsel, insurance brokers and carriers, sureties and other external partners.

The Director is expected to take ownership of issues, exercise sound judgment, communicate risk clearly to support informed decisions, and follow all matters through to resolution.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS

• Uphold Snyder Langston's values and demonstrate integrity, professionalism and consistency.
• Build trust & collaboration across all internal and external stakeholders.
• Take ownership and accountability for the processes and decisions within the role.
• Communicate complex risk issues and decisions clearly and concisely to Executive Leadership.
• Maintain existing systems while recommending improvements when appropriate.
• Prepare and execute Annual Business Plan in support of the organization’s Strategic Plan.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Insurance & Bonding — Lead commercial insurance and surety programs, including renewals, coverage strategy, project-specific insurance, Builders Risk, OCIP/CCIP requirements, bonding capacity, and broker/carrier relationships.

SDI & Subcontractor Risk — Own the Subcontractor Default Insurance program, deductible/captive insurance, subcontractor prequalification and subcontractor performance evaluation. Ensure subcontractor risk is identified before commitments are made and projects are properly enrolled and administered.

Claims & Warranty — Lead insurance, legal, SDI and warranty claims from initial notification through resolution. Coordinate with insurers, counsel, subcontractors and Operations to protect Snyder Langston's interests, appropriately transfer responsibility and minimize financial exposure. Provide regular reporting to Executive Leadership.

Contractual Risk — Review prime construction contracts for insurance, indemnity, warranty and related risk provisions. Work collaboratively with Operations during negotiations, identify and quantify unusual exposures, recommend appropriate responses, and ensure subcontract agreements appropriately flow down contractual obligations.

FIRST YEAR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS

• Established themselves as a trusted executive-level leader of Snyder Langston's risk management and safety functions.
• Effectively managed claims through resolution while minimizing Snyder Langston's financial, legal and contractual exposure.
• Built strong, collaborative relationships with Operations and Executive Leadership.
• Improved the consistency, effectiveness & efficiency of contractual risk review and negotiation.
• Maintained Snyder Langston's successful existing risk-management programs while identifying practical opportunities for improvement.
• Created or refined efficient, repeatable systems that allow risk to be identified, communicated, tracked and managed consistently.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Insurance Coordinator, providing clear direction, ongoing coaching, and support to ensure accurate, timely, and effective execution of insurance and risk management responsibilities.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate is an experienced construction-risk professional with significant knowledge of commercial insurance, claims, contractual risk transfer, subcontractor risk, surety and SDI. Relevant experience may come from a sophisticated general contractor, insurance/brokerage organization, surety, claims or another construction-risk environment.

More important than a particular career path is the candidate's demonstrated ability to lead to resolution, collaborate, exercise good judgment, take accountability and communicate effectively with Executive Leadership and Operations leaders.

This position is based full-time in the Irvine office.

Qualifications

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree with ten (10) plus years of position-related experience or fifteen years of position-related experience (construction and insurance).

Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school preferred, but not required.

TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, is required.

Managerial skills are required.

Snyder Langston’s Policy Manuals.

Adhere to applicable safety requirements.

State of California Title 8 Construction Safety Orders.

Leadership abilities.

Verbal and written communication skills.

Consensus builder, mediator.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES REQUIREMENTS:

Maintain focus on stated goals.

Take responsibility as appropriate for the situation.

Inspire, nurture, and motivate others to perform beyond their expectations.

Continuously learn and teach new skills.

Establish and maintain high standards.

Demonstrate an understanding of others and the situation.

Committed to job and co-workers.

Positively reinforce and train subordinates.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:

SLU courses pertaining to the job role.

Continuing education requirements will be at the immediate supervisor’s discretion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Standing and Walking: Various interior surfaces.

Sitting: Various office equipment, e.g., chairs and stools.

Climbing Stairs: Steps up and down on various surfaces.

Lifting and Carrying: Light amounts up to 20 lbs.

Pushing: Push with initial forceful movement.

Pulling: Pull with initial forceful movement.

Reaching: Extend reach.

Bending body and Dexterity of fingers and hands: Various movement.

Kneeling: Soft and hard surfaces.

Talking: Coherent speech.

Hearing: Capacity to hear various levels of noises. Conversational speech in person or on the telephone.

Vision: Read and observe operations with or without glasses.

Reasonable accommodations will be considered that would allow the Director, Risk Management and Legal to perform the essential functions of this job.