Director of Risk

About the role

The Director of Risk is responsible for leading the enterprise-wide risk management strategy for a large, self-performing heavy civil general contractor with approximately $3.1 billion in annual revenue. This role provides leadership and direction of all risk-related functions, including insurance, claims, contract risk and compliance, and loss prevention. The Director of Risk partners closely with executive leadership, operations, legal, finance, and safety teams to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks that could impact the company’s financial performance, reputation, and long-term strategic objectives. This position plays a critical role in influencing enterprise risk decision making, protecting company assets, optimizing total cost of risk, and ensuring alignment with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

Reports to: Chief Risk Officer. Regular interaction with: CEO, Presidents, Legal Counsel, Finance, Safety, Operations Leadership, and Board/Committee members. Leads: Risk Management, Claims, and Insurance teams.

Working Conditions: Primarily office-based with regular interaction across departments. Travel required (approximately 10–20%) to job sites and regional offices. Periodic engagement in high-pressure situations involving claims, litigation, or major incidents.

Responsibilities

• Risk Strategy and Leadership
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
  • Serve as the senior advisor to executive leadership on risk exposure, mitigation strategies, and emerging threats.
  • Establish risk tolerance frameworks and governance processes across all operating companies and regions.
  • Monitor insurance market trends, regulatory changes, and emerging risks affecting the construction industry.
• Insurance Program Leadership
  • Oversee the design, placement, and administration of the company’s corporate insurance program across all lines of coverage, including but not limited to: General liability, umbrella/excess, workers’ compensation, auto, equipment, builder’s risk, property, professional liability, pollution, cyber, D&O, crime, and specialty coverages.
  • Oversee broker strategy, contract negotiations, and carrier relationships to optimize coverage, terms, and total cost of risk.
  • Leverage insurance brokers, carriers, and surety partners as strategic advisors to identify emerging risks and innovative risk transfer solutions.
  • Build and maintain long-term partnerships that drive continuous improvement, enhance coverage structures, and strengthen claims management outcomes.
  • Lead annual insurance renewals, program structure decisions, and long-term risk financing strategies (including captives or alternative risk structures).
• Claims O