Risk Manager, Southwest

ESS Companies, Inc.; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ESS Companies (ESSC) seeks a seasoned Claims/Risk Manager to oversee complex claims across workers’ comp, auto, GL, and property. You’ll coordinate with carriers, brokers, and internal teams to minimize exposure and losses while guiding return-to-work and subrogation efforts.

You will analyze loss trends, maintain accurate records, and drive risk controls in a heavy civil construction environment. Strong communication and Excel proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial claims management or risk management.
• Knowledge of insurance coverages and claims processes.
• Ability to coordinate with brokers, carriers, and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Receive incident and damage reports and open claim files accurately.
• Manage workers’ compensation, auto, GL, property, and other claims through resolution.
• Coordinate reporting, documentation, and follow-up with operations, carriers, and legal counsel.
• Monitor claim status, reserves, and litigation developments, escalating to Risk Team as needed.
• Collaborate with HR, Safety, and leadership on injury claims and return‑to‑work coordination.
• Identify recovery opportunities including subrogation and risk transfer.

Skills

Claims management

Risk management

Insurance administration

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in risk management or related field

Tools

Excel

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Claims Management Receive incident and damage reports from field crews, supervisors, project managers, and safety personnel. Open claim files promptly, coded to the correct operating company, project, and cost center. File first reports of injury and casualty notices with Liberty Mutual within required state and program timeframes. Identify any claim whose exposure, complexity, or litigation risk exceeds Risk Manager authority and refer it to the Claims Manager the same day. Manage assigned workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability, property, equipment, and other applicable claims from initial reporting through resolution. Coordinate timely claim reporting, documentation, and follow-up with Southwest Operations personnel, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, brokers, and legal counsel. Maintain active oversight of claim status, financial exposure, reserves, litigation developments, and resolution strategies. Escalate significant developments and settlement recommendations to the ESSC Risk Team in accordance with established authority. Partner with Human Resources, Safety, and operational leadership on employee injury claims, supporting communication, documentation, and return-to-work coordination. Identify potential recovery opportunities, including subrogation and contractual risk transfer, and coordinate follow-through with the appropriate stakeholders.

Insurance Administration Serve as Southwest Operations’ resource for general insurance questions, coverage inquiries, and routine program administration, coordinating with ESSC Risk leadership and designated broker and carrier contacts. Support ESSC Risk Team Leadership administration of Owner-Controlled and Contractor-Controlled Insurance Programs (OCIPs and CCIPs), including enrollment, reporting, documentation, and claims coordination, as applicable. Support ESSC Finance Team to maintain accurate insurance exposure information, including relevant equipment, vehicle, property, payroll, revenue, and project data, to support renewals, audits, and coverage updates. Assist with builders’ risk and other project-specific insurance needs in coordination with ESSC Risk leadership.

Risk Management In conjunction with ESSC Risk Leadership-Identify gaps, exceptions, or potential uninsured exposures and coordinate appropriate review before commitments are made. Evaluate recurring claims, loss trends, and business exposures to identify practical opportunities to reduce preventable losses and improve risk controls. Provide guidance on claim-reporting requirements, documentation practices, insurance processes, and escalation expectations.

Reporting Maintain accurate, current claims and insurance records using ESSC designated systems and reporting practices. Prepare claim summaries, trend analyses, and updates for the ESSC Risk Team and appropriate Southwest Operations stakeholders. Support Total Cost of Risk reporting through accurate tracking and reconciliation of claim payments, deductibles, retained losses, and other risk-related expenses. Coordinate with Finance and Accounting to resolve discrepancies, validate supporting information, and improve reporting consistency.

Business Partnership and Process Improvement Build effective working relationships with Southwest Operations Leadership, Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Safety, and the broader ESS Companies Risk team. Implement ESSC claims and insurance procedures within Southwest Operations while identifying opportunities to make those processes more efficient and responsive. Provide practical guidance to employees involved in claims reporting, insurance documentation, and related administrative processes. Keep ESSC Risk Leadership informed of material claims, emerging exposures, coverage concerns, and matters requiring enterprise-level decisions.

Qualifications Required

Demonstrated experience in commercial claims management, risk management, insurance administration in construction or a closely related discipline. Working knowledge of commercial insurance coverages and claims processes, particularly workers’ compensation, automobile, general liability, and property or equipment losses. Ability to review insurance documentation, identify potential coverage or compliance issues, and coordinate resolution with brokers, carriers, and internal stakeholders. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple claims and competing priorities. Sound judgment, discretion with sensitive information, and a service-oriented approach to supporting employee-owners and business leaders. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience maintaining accurate records in claims, insurance, or risk management systems.

Preferred Experience supporting heavy civil construction, earthwork, infrastructure, or other construction-related operations. Familiarity with construction contracts, subcontractor insurance compliance, OCIPs, CCIPs, and loss-sensitive insurance programs. Experience working with either self-insured or high-deductible insurance programs, and brokerage support teams. A bachelor’s degree in risk management, insurance, business, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Relevant professional designations, such as ARM, AIC, CPCU, or CRIS.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) ESS Companies (ESSC) isn’t your average enterprise. As a 100% employee-owned organization, we’re redefining the employee experience. Our people tackle the nation’s heavy civil challenges with enhanced safety and deliver with excellence. ESSC gives them the support, training, and total rewards they deserve. ESSC exists for the workers.