Senior Risk Manager

About the role

The Senior Risk Manager, Americas plays a key role in risk governance, reporting and operational oversight, by providing strategic oversight and technical expertise to ensure the effective operation of the risk management framework. The role supports the placement and day-to-day oversight of Sotheby’s insurance programs and leads the best risk management practices in the Americas.

Responsibilities

• Evaluation of Sotheby’s insurance needs, identifying protection goals and objectives consistent with the organization's needs and strategic plan.
• Maintain ongoing risk performance, maintaining incident records and responses to continually assess and improve effectiveness.
• Support the renewal of annual insurance policies. Evaluate, recommend and renew global and regional insurance policies based on the collection and analysis of internal data and markets.
• Provide subject matter expertise to senior management, staff and in-house legal counsel.
• Draft insurance wording for contracts, including consignment agreements, leases, special events and vendor contracts.
• Maintain strong relationships with insurance brokers.
• Lead the preparation of the organization's emergency management and contingency plans. Ensure appropriate testing and training is completed to maintain emergency preparedness.
• Work in collaboration with the London Risk department to evaluate and standardize risk and related procedures and risk initiatives.
• Support Risk P&L and capital budgets, including annual budget planning and monitoring to ensure budget requirements are achieved. Oversee the payment of related invoices.
• Manage claims, including the investigation, negotiation and settlement of claims and the interpretation of policy and contract wording, preparation of correspondence and releases.
• Work with Legal to negotiate settlements of large or contentious claims and pursue recoveries from liable third parties.
• Overall accountability for the handling of damaged or missing property, ensuring proper steps are taken in the investigation and reporting procedures.
• Conduct risk surveys at the company’s regional offices, outside shippers’ warehouses and locations with potential exposure for loss to ensure maintenance of adequate protection and care.
• Evaluate training needs, plan and deliver relevant training to enhance the safety of employees, visitors and assets.
• Direct staff results by training and mentoring employees in risk related matters, and planning, monitoring and appraising job performance for Risk employees in the Americas.

Ideal experience & competencies

• Degree and/or certification qualification and proven interest in insurance/risk management. 5 – 8 years of proven experience in the risk management/insurance industry.
• Proven ability to maintain strong relationships with insurance brokers.
• Solid understanding of risk management techniques and practices and risk assessment.
• Licensed Claims adjuster.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with crisis management and business continuity planning.
• Contract and vendor negotiation required.
• Proven experience in loss prevention, planning and investigation.