Director of Risk Management

The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), a leader in affordable housing in Northeast Ohio, is seeking an innovative and visionary professional to serve as the Director of Risk Management. Reporting to the Chief General Counsel this role is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing comprehensive risk management strategies to minimize financial, operational, and legal exposures to CMHA.

The successful candidate will manage insurance programs, coordinate loss prevention initiatives, ensure regulatory compliance, and oversee risk mitigation strategies while working closely with internal departments, external insurance providers, legal advisors, and third-party claimants.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business Administration, Legal Studies, or a related field required. Certification in Risk Management (ARM, CRM) or equivalent preferred.
• Juris Doctorate degree required. Must be admitted to the Ohio and Federal Bar for the Northern District of Ohio.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, implement, and maintain risk management policies, procedures, and programs to mitigate operational, financial, and legal risks, while complying with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Identify, assess, and monitor organizational risk exposures, ensuring appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Oversee all insurance programs, including liability, property, workers' compensation, auto, fidelity, and surety.
• Manage the procurement, renewal, and negotiation of insurance coverage to optimize costs while ensuring adequate protection.
• Investigate and resolve insurance claims, coordinating with insurers, adjusters, and legal representatives.
• Oversee workers’ compensation claims, ensuring proper documentation, tracking lost work time, and maintaining compliance with Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation/Public Employer Risk Reduction Program (OBWC/PERRP) regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments for contracts, special events, procurement processes, and organizational activities.
• Serve as a liaison to the Housing Authority Insurance Group (HAIG), identifying and implementing best practices for loss control and risk mitigation.
• Lead workplace safety initiatives, conducting safety committee meetings, implementing health and wellness programs, and ensuring compliance with OSHA and EPA regulations.
• Provide training and guidance to employees on risk management, claims procedures, safety practices, and insurance policies.
• Develop and manage the risk management budget, tracking expenditures and identifying cost-saving measures.
• Prepare reports and present findings, risk mitigation plans, and insurance recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Commissioners.
• Identify and analyze legal issues, draft legal documents, perform legal research and writing, and provide advice and counsel to CMHA clients.
• Manage all phases of litigation, including the preparation of pleadings, discovery, motion practice, mediations, arbitrations, administrative proceedings and hearings, and trials.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts and transactional documents including, but not limited to, vendor contracts, procurement and grant agreements, releases, deeds, sales and purchase agreements, real estate transactions, leases, and other related agreements and transactional documents.
• Must be proactive and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively.
• Must possess strong oral and writing skills to effectively communicate complex risk and legal concepts to various stakeholders, including executives, staff, and external vendors.
• Ability to artfully influence and persuade logically, cogently, and persuasively. This requires a diplomatic approach while remaining focused on the Authority’s goals and priorities.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory and/or director-level experience in risk management, insurance placement, or legal compliance, preferably in a public sector or housing authority environment with complex insurance/risk transfer structures.
• Experience in litigation, claims management, and insurance procurement is highly desirable.
• An understanding of public housing law and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations is desired

SKILLS:

• Extensive and broad-based knowledge of developing and implementing programs and services to meet resident needs.
• Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams effectively.
• Strong collaboration skills, with experience in cross-departmental initiatives.
• Knowledge of public housing policies, regulations, and best practices.
• Budget management experience, including setting priorities and ensuring financial accountability.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with housing management systems.

OTHER: Possession of a valid Ohio Vehicle Operator’s license and insurability under CMHA standards.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines. Other combinations of education and experience that could provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job will be considered.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

• The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority requires evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination for newly hired employees.* * CMHA will consider requests for reasonable accommodations for religious or medical reasons as required under applicable law. For more information please contact CMHA’s Human Resources at 216-348-5030 (voice) or email HRDir@cmha.net. * The Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") requires CMHA to maintain confidentiality of employee medical information. Any information provided will be kept confidential and will be stored separately from the employee’s personnel files as required under the ADA.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Cleveland, OH 44104 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Cleveland, OH 44104: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $105,000 - $125,000