Risk Manager – Telecom Construction

About the Role

The Risk Manager is responsible for controlling risk exposure and minimizing financial loss for a telecommunications construction company, with primary responsibility for major insurance claims (General Liability & Auto). This role plays a critical part in claims cost containment, litigation oversight, and insurance spend management, working closely with carriers, counsel, and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage general liability and auto claims from intake through resolution, including litigated matters.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for outside counsel, insurance carriers, adjusters, and TPAs.
• Oversee litigation strategy, monitor defense counsel performance, and ensure cases are handled efficiently.
• Review pleadings, discovery, settlement demands, and litigation budgets.
• Participate in settlement negotiations to achieve timely and cost-effective resolutions.
• Ensure claims are properly reserved and escalated when exposure increases.
• Actively manage legal spend and claim-related costs, including reviewing invoices and challenging unnecessary or excessive billing.
• Track claim trends, loss ratios, and litigation outcomes to identify cost drivers.
• Implement strategies to reduce claim frequency, severity, and legal expenses.
• Work with carriers to control reserves, negotiate settlements, and close claims efficiently.
• Support insurance renewals by providing loss data, claim analysis, and cost mitigation strategies.
• Review contracts, indemnification language, and insurance requirements to limit exposure.
• Ensure proper certificates of insurance and coverage compliance for subcontractors.
• Identify operational and fleet-related risk exposures and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare regular reports on claim status, litigation exposure, legal spend, and cost savings.
• Partner with operations, safety, and leadership teams to reduce risk and prevent future losses.
• Educate internal teams on claims reporting procedures and risk reduction best practices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in risk management, claims, or litigation management within construction, telecom, or infrastructure.
• Strong expertise in general liability and commercial auto claims, including litigated matters.
• Proven experience managing legal spend and cost containment initiatives.
• Ability to work effectively with attorneys, insurance carriers, and senior leadership.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.

Preferred Experience

• Telecom or utility construction background.
• Fleet and driver-related claims experience.
• Experience managing high-risk insurance programs and complex claims portfolios.