Senior Director - Risk Management and Insurance

Westlake Chemical; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical seeks a senior leader to own global risk management and the company’s insurance strategy. You will set vision, align cross-functional processes, and drive proactive risk mitigation across regions, including manufacturing, procurement, and logistics.

Strong leadership and strategic acumen are essential to optimize risk as a competitive advantage. You will manage captive arrangements, liaise with underwriters, and lead risk initiatives within a dynamic, entrepreneurial

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field.
• 15–20 years of relevant experience in risk management and insurance.
• MBA and/or JD preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee the Company's global insurance program and lead cross-functional risk management across manufacturing, procurement, transportation and logistics, trade compliance, commercial, HR and legal.
• Lead global enterprise risk management program with proactive risk mitigation.
• Directly manage relationships with third party service providers, including insurance brokers.
• Participate in industry events to maintain current understanding of trends and best practices.
• Engage with underwriters to ensure risk management activities are reflected in coverages.

Skills

Risk management

Insurance program

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related field

MBA or JD preferred

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

Responsible for global risk management and insurance issues that directly impact the strategic direction of the company. Sets the strategic risk management vision and is charged with delivering that strategy to the company using exceptional leadership skills, network of internal and external alliances and highly developed business skills. Possesses an intimate knowledge of internal business processes and the organization's industry. Exhibits business process knowledge, possesses a broad-based operational perspective and provides solutions, including insurance, for related business risk issues. Recognized risk leader, who is a dynamic, proactive and decisive person. Adapts well to and initiates change in the organization. Seeks ways to optimize risks in the organization as a competitive business advantage. Key traits for the individual in this position are: highly developed communications, team player, change agent, strategic and creative, excellent project management skills and the ability to drive performance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Direct and oversee the Company's global insurance program and lead, align, and enhance cross-functional risk management processes across manufacturing, procurement, transportation and logistics, trade compliance, commercial, human resources, and legal functions. Ensure global risk programs are consistent, compliant, and strategically impactful across all regions.
• Lead global enterprise risk management program proactively monitoring and ensuring appropriate mitigation of risks
• Provide people leadership by directing cross-functional risk management initiatives, fostering collaboration among teams, and ensuring effective identification, communication, and mitigation of risks enterprise-wide.
• Direct and oversee the Company's global insurance program including, but not limited to, property, general liability, casualty, and excess insurance
• Develop and execute a robust and comprehensive strategy to manage risk through direct insurance, self-insurance, and reinsurance while actively managing the overall cost profile of managing risk
• Actively utilize the Company's captive insurance entity to manage overall exposures and lower the Company's overall cost of insurance
• Develop a strategy and program to identify areas of self-insured risk to offset through reinsurance programs
• Directly oversee the Company's administration and management of claims under self-insured retention programs, driving initiatives that proactively reduce loss exposure and deliver measurable risk and cost savings through effective claims management and process improvement.
• Undertake complete and thorough review of underlying direct insurance and reinsurance contracts and amendments, as applicable, to understand areas of current or emerging risk with contracted insurance coverage and develop plans to address areas of risk
• Internal subject matter expert on risk management strategies, policies, practices, and procedures
• Directly manage relationships with third party service providers, including insurance brokers
• Actively participate in risk management and insurance industry events, programs, conferences, to maintain a current understanding of emerging trends and best practices
• Lead the Company's periodic engagement with insurance underwriters to ensure the Company's broad risk management activities and programs are properly reflected in insurance coverages
• Participate on the Company's Risk Management Committee.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Business or related field
• 15-20 years of relevant experience in risk management and insurance
• MBA and/or JD preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel up to 20% including air travel or auto travel.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.