Risk Management Specialist III at University of Wisconsin System

The Universities of Wisconsin are a premier system of public higher education. We educate approximately 162,000 students each year and employ about 35,000 faculty and staff statewide.

With 13 universities across the state, the Universities of Wisconsin are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

The mission of the Office of Risk Management is to provide a safe and healthful higher education environment for students, faculty, staff, and others utilizing UW System programs and facilities.  The Office of Risk Management strives to meet this goal with:

• proactive loss prevention, health, safety, and environmental management
• quality property, liability, and worker’s compensation claims management
• protection of UW System assets
• risk assessments and mitigation planning

The Office of Risk Management efforts encompass developing and maintaining emergency management systems and responses, monitoring areas of high risk, providing guidance and expertise on worker’s compensation claims and workplace injuries, negotiating insurance policies on behalf of the UW System, and more.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Office of Risk Management within the Universities of Wisconsin is comprised of three areas, Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety, and Workers’ Compensation. The Risk Management Specialist III provides risk management services to the 13 UW universities and UW System Administration, with a focus in assisting the Director in overseeing the risk transfer program, claims handling, and providing general risk management guidance and support to the UW university risk managers. The Risk Management Specialist III is one of several risk managers in the risk management area. The Risk Management Specialist III reports to the Director of Risk Management.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include the following key activities:

Risk Transfer

• Support the Director with developing and managing the UW’s risk transfer program, reviewing both current and potential new insurance products.
• Analyze claims data and create reports to identify and assess exposures across lines of business for selection of appropriate insurance products. Utilizes claims database to review data and produce reports.
• Coordinate the UW's insurance program renewals, including managing the completion and processing of insurance application documents and obtaining the necessary information from university partners.
• Works in collaboration with Universities of Wisconsin Capital Planning to administer the Builders Risk Policy for Gift and Grant Projects
• In coordination with the Director, collaborate with Bureau of State Risk Management and brokers.
• Ensures contracts contain appropriate insurance requirements. Negotiates contract insurance requirements as necessary.

Claims Handling

• Assist universities in claims handling, having knowledge of the state’s insurance program, insurance policies, regulations, internal/external recordkeeping, and the interpretation of laws and policies as they relate to property, liability and auto insurance claims.
• Communicate and work effectively with a range of stakeholders in the UW, the Bureau of State Risk Management, other state agencies, consultants, vendors, and other external entities.

Risk Management Guidance

• Build strong relationships and work collaboratively with university stakeholders, specifically in the areas related to risk management.
• Provide guidance to the universities concerning insurance-related questions, coverage issues, and proper procedures for best risk management practices, to include identification of potential sources of loss, assessing the impact of losses and selecting appropriate risk management options.
• Provide training on risk management related topics, for example, fleet Policies and Procedures
• Develop risk management procedures in coordination with UW university risk managers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 To be considered for this position, a candidate must have: 

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least three years of claims management, insurance, compliance, legal, or general risk management experience, including use of claims management systems. (added from preferred)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Well qualified applicants will also have a substantial amount of experience in a combination of the following:

• At least five years of claims management, insurance, compliance, legal, or general risk management experience
• Advanced degree or certification in risk management, insurance, and/or related field
• Advanced experience managing insurance programs for larger, complex organizations.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

Inclusive Excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community.  We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and the reference check process that includes questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. If the results are unacceptable, the offer will be withdrawn.

The Universities of Wisconsin will not sponsor a work visa for this position at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9 upon hire. 

WORK LOCATION

Limited telecommuting or hybrid work options may be available and may be considered only after a satisfactory probationary period.  Required time in the office is three days a week.  The office is located at 780 Regent Street, Suite 105, Madison, Wisconsin 53715.  Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a full-time, salaried (exempt) limited appointment. Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within the range of $72,000 - $82,000 annually commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees. Please see this link for total compensation information: UW System Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator.   

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through Sunday, October 27, 2024. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.