Associate Director of Risk Management & Environmental Health & Safety

Job Title:

Full or Part Time:

Hours:

Exempt:

Supervisory Org:

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY:  Develops and directs the University’s risk management, insurance and environmental, health & safety programs. Serves as the representative for the University risk management program, including management of all insurance coverages and loss prevention matters.  Develops, coordinates, and executes effective environmental, health & safety programs.

This is an on-campus, in-person position, not remote.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs and oversees the University’s comprehensive risk management, insurance, and loss prevention programs to identify, assess, and mitigate institutional risk exposures.
• Serves as the University’s Director to the Michigan Universities Self-Insurance Corporation (MUSIC), including active participation on the Underwriting and Claims & Loss Control committees.
• Oversees the procurement, administration, renewal and management of the University’s insurance programs.  Manages insurance claims and coordinates with legal counsel, insurers, and third-party administrators regarding litigation and all claims-related matters.
• Develops, implements, and administers comprehensive environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Areas include biological and chemical safety, fire and life safety, occupational health and injury prevention, hazardous materials management, and environmental compliance. 
• Collaborates with academic and administrative departments to develop and maintain effective safety practices, reduce organizational risk, and promote a culture of safety and regulatory compliance across campus operations.
• Develops risk management programs goals, identifies and analyzes risk exposures, develops policy recommendations, coordinates departmental response, and provides education to eliminate or mitigate potential risks and identify solutions to existing risks.
• Reviews and evaluates agreements, contracts, and vendor relationships to ensure appropriate insurance requirements, indemnification provisions, and risk transfer protections are in place to safeguard the University’s interests.
• Participates in the development and delivery of new programs, initiatives, trainings and incentives to improve workplace safety designed to reduce workplace injuries, operational risks and institutional liability.
• Monitors changes in regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practices to ensure continued compliance and proactive risk mitigation.
• Conducts or coordinates periodic inspections, documents findings, recommends corrective actions and follows up with responsible departments to ensure timely resolution.
• Leads or supports investigations related to workplace injuries, safety incidents,  environmental concerns, property loss and other risk-related events.
• Participates in emergency and critical incident management and serves on the Crisis Management Executive Group (CMEG).
• Establishes performance metrics and benchmarks to evaluate departmental effectiveness, program outcomes, and compliance initiatives.
• Manages annual budgets for areas of responsibility.
• Serves on University committees and cross-functional teams related to safety, emergency management, compliance, and institutional risk management. This includes direct oversight of the SVSU Safety Committee.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervision is received from the Associate Vice President for Administration and Business Affairs/Chief Business Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in actuarial science, risk management & insurance, business administration, finance or closely related field.
• Five years of direct experience in insurance/risk management program administration and/or environmental health & safety, preferably in higher education.
• Direct, hands-on knowledge of risk management and insurance principles, standards and practices including risk prevention, risk retention (self-insurance) and risk transfer.
• Direct experience in worker safety, training, environmental compliance, fire safety and/or related programs.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage conflict, promote understanding and advance ideas.
• Demonstrated ability to perform financial analyses and to communicate the results clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated positive interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively, candidly and project a positive image.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and inspire trust.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to take initiative and prioritize multiple assignments.
• Ability to deliver professional services to a broad constituent base.
• Strong planning and leadership skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly.
• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in a closely related field.
• Five years of direct experience in insurance/risk management program administration and environmental health & safety, preferably in higher education.
• Risk management experience in higher education, health care, public sector or a similar large organization.
• ARM, CRM or CSRM certification
• Experience with commercial and self-funded insurance groups.
• Experience in a University or large organization in worker safety and regulatory compliance.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:

• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.
• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.  It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.  The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels.  SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.
 
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, http://www.svsu.edu.