WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM MANAGER

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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

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Position Base
Oakland

Location
UCOP - Franklin Building

Department Overview
The Office of Risk Services is responsible for developing and implementing Enterprise Risk Management systemwide, identifying and developing strategies to minimize the impact of risk, developing a center of excellence for managing risk, reducing costs and improving safety by executing new ideas and strategic plans in a rapid manner. By strategically managing risk we can reduce the chances of loss, create greater financial stability, and protect our resources in support of UC's mission.

Position Summary
This position provides leadership and oversight of the University's program of self-insurance for Workers' Compensation. Reporting to the Executive Director, this position manages the day-to-day claims and risk management operations for the workers' compensation program throughout all the University's campuses and academic medical centers. The focus of this position is to create and support a risk-aware culture, with a service-oriented mindset. These efforts involve but are not limited to collaboration with the local risk management teams at each campus, medical center and affiliate location, oversight of the University's Third-Party Claims Administrator (TPA), designing and implementing innovative claims processes, consulting on coverage analysis, developing loss prevention programs, and ensuring compliance with regulatory matters specific to the workers' compensation programs that impact the University's operations. The scope of the University's workers' compensation program includes annual funding of more than $250 million and an open inventory of 4,000 claims.

Key Responsibilities

• 55% Workers' Compensation Claims Administration * Oversees the TPA responsible for the University's workers' compensation claims. * Liaises with both internal and external stakeholders to identify solutions for the effective resolution of claims. * Consults on complex claims. Coordinates with outside counsel, claims adjusters, campus/medical center risk departments, and University attorneys to resolve claims. * In collaboration with the TPA, UC Legal, and campus/medical center risk teams, select and manage outside legal firms assigned to defend the University.
• 25% Self-Insurance Program Management * Develop policy and procedures and implement program guidelines for the claims administration and defense of Workers' Compensation claims programs. * Educate risk management and human resource teams at the University campuses and medical centers regarding the program and its focuses on claims management. * Advises senior management on short- and long-term strategies regarding Enterprise Risk Management across multiple organizations or campuses / medical centers / Office of the President. * Develops and implements policy and training programs for campuses / medical centers / Office of the President. * Collaborates with the Executive Director to prepare specifications for broker or underwriter proposals, evaluates proposals and recommends excess insurance structures. * Evaluates and selects strategic partners, including third-party service providers, to optimize resources and enhance the effectiveness of the self-insurance program. * Serves as the primary point of contact for insurance carriers, brokers, and external partners on workers' compensation matters. * Collaborate with other stakeholders to develop policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• 10% Risk Assessment, Loss Prevention and Mitigation * Analyzes complex losses for opportunities to improve loss prevention. * In collaboration with Environmental Health & Safety team, identify areas of potential employee injury and recommends the appropriate type and level of loss protection. * Implements risk control programs and strategies to prevent losses and minimize potential exposure. * Evaluates and improves the University's workers' compensation and employment practices liability exposure in collaboration with relevant departments.
• 10% General Program and Enterprise Risk Management * Oversee periodic systemwide meetings with risk managers to share lessons learned, risk reduction efforts. * Continuously evaluate and improve processes, systems, and practices related to the self-insurance programs and risk management initiatives. Implement innovative solutions to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery. Participate in negotiations with insurers and develop and present information to insurers on University claims and exposures. * Communicate with and advise underwriters' representatives on high exposure cases. * Provide information and consultation to campuses on insurance and coverage questions. * Collaborate with Office of the President financial personnel to develop budget for program. * Participate in requests for proposal and contract negotiations for various service providers related to the Workers' Compensation program. * Maintain awareness of current, relevant California law applicable to program needs and serve as the subject matter expert for the Office of the President Risk Services team. * Coordination of data management with Risk Services and TPA. * Develop and implement enterprise risk standards, guidelines, and processes to provide a collective understanding and vocabulary for enterprise risk management as it relates to the Workers' Compensation

Experience
Required Qualifications

• Min 8 years of experience managing a large and complex self-insured workers' compensation program.

Skills and Abilities
Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative team environment, building consensus, promoting an exchange of information among technical and business collaborators and leading stakeholder teams and multi-party negotiations.
• Proven oral and written communication skills to conduct successful negotiations with vendors, to achieve collaboration by campus and health system constituents, and to develop effective written proposals. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience using various proven negotiation methods, and the ability to critically analyze a negotiation and deliver successful results.
• Very strong customer service and interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate work with others, both internally and externally, to accomplish tasks.
• Ability to communicate and maintain effective working relationships with campus/medical center colleagues, including wide variety of individuals at all levels of University administration, TPA administrators, legal counsel and regulatory officials.
• Ability to analyze data and communicate effectively with colleagues and senior leaders with respect to program performance and implementation of innovative programs, policies and procedures
• Ability to interpret and apply current and recent changes to statutory, regulatory, and court decisions which impact the University's self-insurance program.
• Ability to conduct the University's programs and policies as it relates to the self-insurance program.
• Knowledge and ability to navigate risk management information systems used to identify loss trends and financial developments that impact the claims costs for the University.
• Knowledge and ability to navigate risk management information systems used to identify loss trends and financial developments that impact the claims costs for the University.

Preferred Qualifications

• Skilled user of Microsoft Excel, with advanced level skills desired.

Education
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or JD

Licenses and Certifications
Preferred Qualifications

• Associate in Risk Management (ARM) Associate in Claims (AIC), California Workers' Compensation Claims Administration (WCCA), California OSIP Self Insurance Administrator's Certificate

Travel Requirements
15% Travel may include meetings at the campuses and medical centers as needed, TPA offices, training / education events and conferences.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

This position is approved for a hybrid work arrangement. The person hired must report to work on-site at UC's Office of the President (UCOP) located in Oakland, CA, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, subject to change. The person hired will be required to reside in the State of California.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Job Title
Enterprise Risk Mgmt Analyst 4

Job Code
005879

Salary Grade
Grade 24

Payscale:
$132,000 - $150,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is August 29, 2025. The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

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