Director of Insurance & Risk Management

Description

GENERAL INTRODUCTION:

The Archbishop, visible principle of unity in his archdiocese, is called to build up the particular Church unceasingly in the communion of all its members, and to ensure that their diverse gifts and ministries, in union with the universal Church, serve to build up all the faithful and to spread the Gospel. (Apostolorum Successores 8).  He must take care that all the affairs which belong to the administration of the whole archdiocese are duly coordinated and are ordered to attain more suitably the good of the portion of the people of God entrusted to him.” (Apostolorum Successores 177).

Each position employed in the Chancery helps to extend the ministry of the Archbishop in particular ways as outlined in the position description.

NOTE:  This is an appointed position by the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle and subject to Archdiocesan Policy pertaining to appointed positions.  The Archbishop reserves the right to make necessary modifications to this position to reflect evolving needs and responsibilities.

GENERAL SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE:

The Director of Insurance and Risk Management provides strategic and operational leadership in managing enterprise-wide risks and administering the organization’s self-insured and insured risk financing programs. This role ensures the protection of assets, people, reputation, and mission while fostering a culture of stewardship and safety across parishes, schools, and affiliated ministries.

The position oversees a $500,000 self-insured retention for property valued at over $2 billion, liability, and casualty programs, manages cost allocation across participating organizations, and leads insurance procurement, claims oversight, and loss prevention initiatives. The Director works closely with the leadership of the Archdiocese (CCAS), Catholic Community Services (CCS) and Catholic Housing Services (CHS), clergy, staff, and external partners to ensure sound governance, financial responsibility, and alignment with the mission and values of the Church.

ESSENTIAL POSITION DUTIES:

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)

• Develop and implement an organization-wide risk management framework aligned with mission and strategic goals.
• Conduct enterprise risk assessments (financial, operational, legal, reputational, strategic, and compliance).
• Identify and monitor emerging risks; recommend mitigation strategies to leadership and the Insurance Committee.
• Promote training and awareness programs for clergy, staff, and volunteers.

Insurance & Risk Financing

• Manage the design, procurement, and renewal of insurance programs (property, casualty, general liability, executive risk, workers’ compensation, auto, cyber, etc.).
• Oversee administration of the $500K self-insured retention, including funding mechanisms, reserves, and cost allocation to participating entities.
• Manage broker, third-party claim administrator, and actuarial relationships.
• Negotiate policy terms, pricing, and coverage enhancements with brokers and carriers.
• Ensure accurate insurance allocations, premium billing, and budgeting processes.
• Act as staff support to the Archdiocese Insurance Committee.

Claims Management & Loss Control

• Direct claims intake, investigation, reserves, and resolution for property, casualty, and workers’ compensation claims.
• Liaise with third-party administrators, defense counsel, insurers, parishes, schools, and ministries.
• Provide settlement recommendations within authority levels.
• Implement loss prevention, safety protocols, and best practices across parishes, schools, and ministries in active collaboration with the safety manager and human resources and facilities leaders.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with insurance laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee actuarial studies, regulatory filings, and risk financing documentation.
• Establish and maintain contractual risk transfer standards (indemnification, COIs, waivers, facility use agreements).
• Support internal audit and board-level reporting on risk exposures.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with Finance to forecast risk costs and stabilize budgets.
• Collaborate with Legal, HR, Facilities, and Ministry leaders on risk-sensitive issues.
• Serve as a resource to parishes, schools, and affiliated organizations for insurance questions, claims support, and best practices.
• Mentor and manage insurance and risk management staff, brokers, actuaries, and external service providers

Manage the insurance staff (if staff added)

• Provide leadership, guidance, and feedback to the team.
• Assist in their professional and personal development.

Other responsibilities related to the management of the insurance program are:

• Deliver educational presentations to Parishes, Administrators and others in our insurance program as well as to the CFO.
• Maintains/creates website materials for our insurance program.
• Manages teams effectively, both internally (Property Insurance Manager, Insurance Admin) and externally (broker, actuaries, claims adjusters, etc.).
• Participate in insurance program and claims review monthly meetings.
• Support messaging of billing methodology.
• Ensure that the office maintains good public relations with different constituencies.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Primary: 

• Willingness and ability to support the mission of the Church by extending the ministry of the Archbishop.
• Ability and desire to use God-given gifts and talents in service of the local Church in support of the collaboration between lay and ordained Ministers.
• Active member of a parish/faith community in good standing with the Church.
• Insurance expertise.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Finance preferred

Experience:

• 10 years insurance experience working with a company and/or insurance broker/advisor.
• 5 years of experience at the Director or Manager level.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated successful experience managing/coordinating multiple projects.

Other Elements:

• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to look at big picture but still track details.
• Excellent interpersonal and public relations skills to effectively establish strong relationships.
• Excellent verbal communications skills to ensure clarity of messaging.
• Excellent written communications skills to communicate clearly and concisely via email.
• Ability to plan effectively manage plans and programs under time constraints.
• Ability to perform calculations and analysis with some financial/accounting related data and information, including a strong understanding of actuarial reports.
• Ability to maintain high standards of confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team.

Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications.

Benefits: Eligible positions receive a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability, long term disability, pension, 403(b), HSA, FSA, and generous sick leave, vacation and holidays.

Salary : $150,000 - $180,000