Risk Management and Purchasing Director

General Description

This executive-level position directs and administers the City’s Risk Management and Purchasing Department. The position is responsible for strategic planning, development, implementation, and oversight of comprehensive citywide programs in risk management, insurance administration, occupational safety, emergency operations support, procurement, contract compliance, central stores, and inventory control.

Responsibilities

• Directs the development, implementation, and administration of comprehensive citywide purchasing and risk management programs designed to protect the City’s assets, reduce liability exposure, minimize operational losses, and ensure compliance with procurement regulations and competitive bidding requirements.
• Administers the City’s insurance and self-insurance programs, including procurement, renewal, underwriting analysis, policy evaluation, reserve analysis, claims management, and risk financing strategies.
• Develops and administers programs related to property and casualty insurance, automobile liability, general liability, and other related risk financing programs.
• Oversees the City’s procurement operations, including purchasing, contract compliance, central stores, inventory control, and related operational functions.
• Reviews and evaluates insurance specifications, contracts, indemnification provisions, and coverage requirements to ensure appropriate risk transfer and regulatory compliance.
• Serves as the City’s liaison with insurance carriers, third-party administrators, attorneys, brokers, consultants, medical providers, regulatory agencies, and other external stakeholders regarding insurance, claims, procurement, safety, and risk management matters.
• Directs the investigation, administration, and resolution of claims involving workers’ compensation, liability, property damage, and other insured or self-insured exposures, including participation in mediations, hearings, depositions, and trials as necessary.
• Analyzes loss trends, claims data, and operational risks to identify root causes and implement corrective actions, loss prevention strategies, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Oversees and evaluates citywide occupational safety programs to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety regulations and standards.
• Directs the development and delivery of employee safety, compliance, and risk management training programs.
• Provides strategic guidance and consultation to department directors and City leadership regarding procurement practices, contractual risk exposure, insurance requirements, and employee safety initiatives.
• Supervises departmental personnel, establishes performance expectations, and ensures accountability, operational efficiency, and professional development within assigned divisions.
• Captures and resolves purchasing disputes, bid protests, and procurement-related issues.
• Prepares and administers departmental budgets and monitors expenditures to ensure fiscal responsibility.
• Ensures departmental alignment with the City’s strategic goals, operational priorities, and organizational values.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Risk Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Insurance, Political Science, or a related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible experience administering comprehensive risk management, insurance, claims administration, occupational safety, procurement, or related public sector operations.
• Five years of supervisory experience.