Job Details

Director of Risk Management & Insurance

Position Number: 6456261
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Occupational and Environmental Safety

Director of Risk Management & Insurance

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Director of Risk Management and Insurance leads the implementation of risk financing, insurance, and claim strategies in alignment with the Chief Risk Officer's institutional direction. This role provides operational oversight of insurance procurement and renewals, claims resolution, risk data reporting, and contractual risk transfer. The role collaborates with university partners to ensure compliance and reduce institutional exposure, advancing informed and responsible risk-taking.

Essential Functions:

Insurance Program Administration & Strategy: Lead insurance renewals, coverage evaluations, and actuarial assessments. Maintain relationships with brokers and carriers to optimize coverage and pricing. Oversee certificates of insurance, bond programs, and alternate risk financing. Stay current on insurance markets and exposures, and coordinate engineering assessments and related risk improvements.
Claims Management: Oversee institutional claims functions, including workers' compensation, liability, subrogation, & litigation coordination. Analyze loss trends via the RMIS and provide insights to the CRO. Develop claims policies & procedures in collaboration with Legal. Manage TPAs to ensure timely resolution & compliance. Participate in mediations in coordination with the CRO & Legal.
Strategic Risk and Contractual Risk Management: Oversee maintenance of the university risk register and support the development of executive risk management tools in coordination with the CRO. Review contracts, negotiate third-party insurance requirements, and collaborate with Procurement and Legal to align contract risk terms.
Risk Financing and Budget Management: Lead biennial actuarial reviews and monitor claim reserves. Analyze and report on Total Cost of Risk (TCOR). Contribute to risk operations budgeting and financial reporting efforts.
Risk Management Operations: Lead institutional initiatives related to fleet and SCUV safety, including engaged driving and MVR reviews. Direct drone and aircraft risk management and monitor evolving risk exposures. Conduct risk assessments and recommend risk controls. Contribute to the development of risk appetite and tolerance guidance.
Risk Data and Reporting: Oversee risk data governance and reporting processes. Maintain accurate and accessible Risk Operations & Insurance content on the ORM website. Ensure timely delivery of risk data and reports for SACSSOC, institutional reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Provide direct leadership, coaching, and evaluation of professional staff, contributing to overall risk operations culture, knowledge development, and service delivery across campus.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. Candidate with a master's degree is preferred.

A minimum of seven (7) years of experience is required. Candidate with AIC, AIC, or related certification is desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate experience with claims management, insurance policy management, basic tracking of claims and finances associated. Candidate must possess presentation skills and solid knowledge of policies. Analytical and negotiation skills, and relationship management is required. Candidate must demonstrate familiarity with risk information systems and loss trend analytics. Microsoft office skills including PPT for presentations and training is required. Additional software as needed for database support is preferred.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Attention to detailed data and processes is required.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

This role might required response to potential incidents that may occur at any time (day/night or weekends) .

Physical and Environmental Demands:

Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Open until filled.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Compliance, Risk and Legal

Organization: Risk Management

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Manager with Direct Reports

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: Aug 8, 2025, 6:39:50 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=RIS00000033&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC