Director, Risk Management

Summary:

The Director, Risk Management plays a pivotal role in understanding the strategic vision of the company to ensure comprehensive insurance coverage and adherence to risk management/mitigation practices and protocols. This position requires collaborating with various departments and stakeholders to identify risks, mitigate potential exposures, and provide regular reporting to supervisors and C-suite executives. Your ability to translate complex information into actionable solutions will be crucial in influencing decision-making across all leadership levels.

Responsibilities:

• Corporate Insurance & Risk Financing
  • Lead the procurement, design, placement, and ongoing administration of all corporate insurance programs, including (but not limited to) Aviation, Property & Casualty, Workers’ Compensation, Cyber, FINPRO, D&O, Environmental, and other specialty coverages.
  • Own and manage the company’s global insurance portfolio, ensuring coverage adequacy, consistency, and cost effectiveness.
  • Develop and implement insurance strategy, including renewals and market placements, in partnership with brokers and carriers.
  • Evaluate risk retention strategies, deductibles and alternative risk transfer mechanisms to optimize total cost of risk.
  • Develop and maintain global insurance guidelines and standards to ensure consistent application across all operations and geographies.

• Broker, Carrier & Third-Party Management
  • Serve as the primary liaison with insurance brokers, carriers, consultants, and third-party administrators.
  • Lead broker selection, performance management, and ongoing relationship governance.
  • Maintain executive-level relationships with global insurance carriers and conduct regular market benchmarking and coverage analyses.

• Risk Policy, Governance & Enterprise Risk Management
  • Establish and maintain global risk management policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks.
  • Lead enterprise risk management (ERM) initiatives, including risk identification, assessment, reporting, and mitigation.
  • Utilize data and risk analytics to identify trends, emerging risks, and areas of exposure.
  • Lead business continuity planning efforts and support organizational resilience initiatives.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual, and insurance requirements across all jurisdictions in which the company operates.
  • Provide regular risk and compliance reporting and recommendations to C-suite leadership and other senior stakeholders.

• Contractual Risk Transfer & Legal Collaboration
  • Partner with Legal to assess and manage litigation risk, contractual risk transfer provisions, indemnification clauses, and insurance requirements.
  • Support Legal/Contract Administration team in negotiating insurance-related, risk-related, and commercial contract terms (e.g., indemnities, limitations of liability, insurance provisions) to align risk allocation with business objectives and risk appetite.
  • Provide insurance and contractual risk guidance for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and major capital projects.

• Claims Oversight
  • Establish governance and oversight structures for claims management across all lines of coverage.
  • Monitor claims trends, loss development, and reserving practices.
  • Partner with internal stakeholders to mitigate loss exposure, manage complex claims, and improve recovery outcomes.

• Financial & Regulatory Oversight
  • Manage insurance budgets, premium allocations, and cost recovery mechanisms.
  • Ensure compliance with public company disclosure requirements related to risk and insurance, coordinating with Internal Audit as needed.

• Cross-Functional Leadership & Advisory
  • Act as a trusted advisor to Operations, Engineering, EHS, Supply Chain, Commercial, Treasury, and other business functions.
  • Collaborate with Treasury on risk financing strategies, cash flow considerations, and capital structure impacts.
  • Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on risk mitigation, loss prevention, insurance requirements, and best practices.
  • Lead internal education and awareness initiatives to elevate organizational risk maturity.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Risk Management, Finance, or a related field. Master's degree is a plus.
• Preferably 10 years of proven experience in insurance and risk management, preferably in a global company or related industry.
• In-depth knowledge of insurance policies, safety protocols, and risk management best practices.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills to work effectively with insurance brokers and markets.
• Proven ability to develop and implement risk management strategies and programs.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in project management and process improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Core competencies include but aren’t limited to Risk Management, Regulatory Compliance, Process Improvement, Broker & Carrier Relations, Negotiations & Contracts, Project Management, Strategic Planning, etc.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic and analytical thinking
• Executive level communication and presentation skills
• Sound judgment and decision making under uncertainty
• Leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management

Travel/Misc.:

• Domestic and International travel will be required as needed.

Here at Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC), we are dedicated to fair hiring practices and diversity in the workplace. We are committed to a workplace environment that encourages growth and respect for all current and prospective employees based upon job-related factors such as their educational background, work experience, and ability to perform the essential functions of a particular job. It is the policy and practice of WLFC to prohibit any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable Federal, state or local law.

WLFC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application processes. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at joinus@willislease.com.

WLFC also offers a comprehensive benefit package to its eligible employees. This includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), Roth 401(k), HSA in conjunction with a high deductible plan, life insurance, supplemental insurance, travel accident insurance, employee assistance program, short & long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, employee education reimbursement plan, matching gift program, health and wellness plan, and paid time off.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: Willis Lease Finance Corporation (WLFC) does not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered WLFC property, and WLFC will not be obligated to a referral fee. This includes resumes submitted directly to any WLFC employee, including Hiring Managers, without contacting WLFC Human Resources Talent Acquisition Department.