Risk Manager

City of Sunnyvale; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sunnyvale seeks an experienced Risk Manager to lead the city’s risk management program, including workers’ compensation, liability, and safety. The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to balance competing priorities across departments.

Responsibilities include budgeting, policy development, contract reviews for indemnity and insurance, and guiding staff through complex regulatory changes while maintaining a collaborative, accountable work culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in risk management, HR management, finance, economics, business or public administration.
• Four (4) years of professional risk management experience, including lead or supervisory work.

Responsibilities

• Plan, oversee, and administer a comprehensive risk management program (safety, workers' compensation, liability).
• Develop and manage budgets; forecast spending and cost benefits for programs and services.
• Review contracts for indemnification, risk transfer, and insurance requirements; liaise with insurers.
• Oversee self-insurance and insurance programs; coordinate with third-party administrators.
• Advise city departments on risk management policies and procedures; monitor regulatory changes.
• Lead staff, build a high-performing team; ensure compliance with laws and city policies.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Risk management

Workers' compensation

Education

Bachelor's degree in risk management or related field

Job description

RISK MANAGER
REGULAR, FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Classification also receives 3.5% premium pay

The City of Sunnyvale seeks an experienced, service-oriented public sector professional who thrives in a team environment as its next Risk Manager. The ideal candidate is respected for their technical expertise, sound judgment, discretion, and leadership skills. They excel at analyzing complex issues, identifying risk exposure, and developing effective solutions that advance organizational objectives while managing organizational risk.

Committed to delivering responsive, high-quality programs and services, the successful candidate is an exceptional communicator who can present complex information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences, including employees at all levels. The ideal candidate will serve as a trusted advisor and business partner. They will build productive relationships and provide thoughtful guidance that supports organizational success.

The new Risk Manager will demonstrate a genuine interest in the work, challenges, and employees in City departments. They will have experience navigating diverse and sometimes competing priorities and will be expected to make difficult decisions with fairness, care, and a long-term perspective. This engaged and approachable manager will model the behaviors and performance expected of others while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, respect, and shared purpose. They will lead, motivate, and develop staff, helping to build a cohesive and high-performing team.

For more information about the City and this position, please click here: Recruitment Brochure

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Plans, develops, administers, implements, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the City’s risk management program including workers’ compensation, interactive process and reasonable accommodations, liability claims, insurance programs, and the City’s safety program.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the program; recommends within department policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Develops, administers, and oversees program budgets; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; conducts studies to forecast spending and cost benefits for insurance, assigned projects, and potential services; monitors expenditures for supplies and equipment; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Provides consultation to City departments concerning risk management policies and procedures; identifies risk related trends and develops recommendations on the reduction of risk; monitors legislative and legal changes and ensures City compliance.
• Oversees the City's workers' compensation program; manages staff serving as liaison between the City, injured worker, and third-party administrators; educates managers on policy and legal requirements; coordinates claim reviews and provides overall program management.
• Manages and participates in the interactive process for employee disability-related reasonable accommodations; evaluates essential job functions, functional limitations, and possible accommodations; interprets City policy on paid medical leave and trains City staff on policies.
• Manages and oversees the City’s occupational safety program; ensures compliance with Cal OSHA requirements and related federal, state, and local laws and regulations; oversees individuals conducting inspections and coordinating training on relevant and required topics; responds to safety related issues; acts as the City\'s designated Safety Officer and coordinates Safety Committee activities.
• Reviews City contracts and makes recommendations regarding indemnification, risk transfer, and insurance requirements; reviews insurance documents for compliance with City requirements.
• Manages and administers the City\'s liability claims activities including reviewing claims made against the City and managing and monitoring contracts with third party administrators; processes and adjusts liability claims; makes recommendations on whether to settle claims; represents the City in Small Claims Court.
• Administers the City\'s self-insurance program for liability and workers' compensation; purchases insurance for excess liability, excess workers' compensation, property, auto physical damage, and fidelity; represents the City with the Excess Liability Joint Powers Authorities.
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as required.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director of Human Resources; prepares reports and correspondence concerning new or ongoing programs and program effectiveness; prepares statistical reports as required; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Reviews the work of staff to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, contractors, third-party administrators, and the public.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of risk management.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes as needed.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public and claimants; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents, other departments, and agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands: This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Environmental Conditions: Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or the public in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.

Education and Experience

The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in risk management, human resources management, finance, economics, business or public administration, or related field; AND
• Four (4) years of experience performing professional level risk management work, including prior lead or supervisory experience.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Advanced principles and practices of risk management, safety, and workers\' compensation administration.
• Public entity liability, rules, and regulations.
• Safe work practices and requirements of Cal OSHA.
• Workers' compensation rules and regulations.
• Principles of self-insurance, public agency pooling/risk sharing, and commercial insurance.
• Complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and on-going developments related to the operations of the assigned program.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to

• Plan, organize, oversee, develop, implement, and administer a comprehensive risk management program.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Coordinate and manage assigned projects and programs.
• Conduct strategic planning for assigned projects.
• Organize and direct risk management operations, including safety, workers\' compensation, and liability.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Analyze complex risk management issues and develop and implement appropriate responses; advise and counsel departments regarding the best course of action.
• Read, comprehend, and apply insurance policies, endorsements, certificates, and bonds.
• Collaborate effectively with legal counsel to negotiate claim settlements.
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare, maintain, and update accurate detailed records and files.
• Interpret and evaluate statistical data.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, various professional and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Licenses/Certificates: Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver\'s license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

Desirable QualificationsPossession of a valid designation as an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) by the Insurance Institute of America.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The application period closes on Sunday, September 20th at 11:59pm. Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City\'s employment page at https://sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on City Jobs. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Tuesday, September 29th at Sunnyvale City Hall.

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City\'s Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in an in person selection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of October 5th.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e., copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate\'s expense. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search education equivalency verification or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. A conditional job offer cannot be made until the education has been evaluated and submitted to the Department of Human Resources.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Positions in this job classification are not represented and have been designated as confidential.

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail].