Leading the strategic and operational oversight of risk management activities across the organization is the core of this role. This position serves as a trusted strategic advisor to executive leadership, providing independent risk assessments, program recommendations, and cross-functional guidance. The Director will play a pivotal role in evaluating and potentially establishing alternative risk financing mechanisms, including captive insurance structures and self-insurance programs, while also overseeing the successful expansion of the company’s surety bonding program.
Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework aligned with company strategy and growth objectives
Proactively present risk management recommendations, trend analyses, and program updates to executive leadership and the Board
Establish and track key risk indicators (KRIs) and present regular risk dashboards to senior management
Lead all aspects of annual insurance renewals across all lines of coverage, including General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Auto, Umbrella/Excess, Professional Liability, and Pollution Liability
Manage Builders Risk policy placements, including project-specific and blanket programs, ensuring appropriate coverage terms and limits aligned with project scope and value
Conduct and oversee insurance audits, ensuring accurate premium computation and resolving discrepancies with carriers
Maintain strong relationships with brokers, underwriters, and carriers; actively market the company’s risk profile to secure favorable terms and pricing
Benchmark coverage, retentions, and premiums against industry peers and recommend program adjustments
Lead the feasibility analysis, design, and potential implementation of a captive insurance company or other alternative risk transfer vehicles
Evaluate self-insurance programs for appropriate lines of coverage, including fronting arrangements, loss-sensitive programs, and funded retentions
Partner with external advisors (actuaries, captive managers, legal counsel) to structure, domicile, and operate alternative risk financing programs
Develop financial models to assess risk retention strategies and their impact on company cash flow and total cost of risk (TCOR)
Ensure regulatory compliance for all alternative risk structures, including captive licensing, reserve adequacy, and reporting requirements
Oversee the end-to-end claims management process across all lines of coverage, ensuring timely reporting, investigation, and favorable resolution
Collaborate with project teams, legal counsel, and third-party administrators (TPAs) to manage complex or litigated claims effectively
Analyze claims data to identify trends, root causes, and systemic exposures; use findings to drive loss prevention initiatives
Millions of jobs, with real people getting hired every day
200,000+
New jobs added daily
7,000,000+
Verified job listings
1,000,000+
Tailored applications submitted
Establish reserves and monitor claim development against projections; report significant claim activity to senior leadership
Manage relationships with defense counsel and monitor litigation spend and strategy
Review and negotiate risk-related provisions across all contract types the company executes, including construction owner contracts and subcontracts, supplier and vendor agreements, equipment leases, joint ventures, and professional service agreements
Review risk and insurance provisions in real estate transactions, including property acquisitions, dispositions, ground leases, and development agreements; ensure appropriate property, environmental, and liability coverage is in place at all stages of ownership and development
Oversee the company’s surety bonding program, including the management of bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds across all active projects
Monitor aggregate bonding capacity and provide leadership with forward-looking analyses of bonding availability relative to backlog and growth plans
Maintain and strengthen relationships with surety underwriters; proactively manage the company’s surety credit profile
Coordinate with finance and operations to provide sureties with timely financial and operational updates
Negotiate favorable bond terms, rates, and collateral requirements
Serve as a strategic partner to the Safety department with a shared and explicit mandate to reduce both the frequency and severity of losses across all lines — including Workers’ Compensation, General Liability, and auto/fleet exposures
Translate claims data and loss trends into actionable safety program priorities and field initiatives
Establish regular cadence with Safety leadership to review open claims, incident patterns, high-severity exposures, and near-miss data; jointly develop loss prevention programs targeting the most significant contributors to claim frequency and cost
Partner closely with Fleet management to oversee auto liability and physical damage exposures; collaborate on driver qualification standards, telematics programs, vehicle maintenance protocols, and accident response procedures to measurably reduce fleet claim frequency and severity
Present joint Risk/Safety loss analyses to senior leadership on a regular basis, including lagging indicators (claim counts, incurred costs, experience modification rates) and leading indicators (near-miss rates, safety audit scores, training completion) with trend commentary and recommended interventions
Quantify the financial impact of safety and fleet loss reduction initiatives on insurance program costs, experience modification factors, and total cost of risk; use this data to build the internal business case for loss prevention investment
Serve as a proactive risk resource embedded across all business functions, including preconstruction, field operations, Safety, Fleet, finance, legal, and human resources — anticipated and present at the table before decisions are made, not consulted after the fact
Educate and train project managers, superintendents, and other stakeholders on risk management best practices, insurance obligations, and loss prevention
Champion a risk-aware culture throughout the organization by making risk management practical and accessible at all levels
Coordinate with the Finance & Accounting teams on risk-related financial reporting, reserve adequacy, and total cost of risk analysis
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Insurance, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field
Master’s degree (MBA or MS in Risk Management) strongly preferred
Minimum of 15 years of progressive risk management experience
At least 5 years in the construction industry or a closely related sector preferred
Demonstrated experience managing commercial insurance programs in excess of $500 million in insured value or revenues
Hands-on experience with alternative risk financing, captive insurance programs, or large deductible/self-insurance structures preferred
Experience managing surety programs for a general contractor, specialty contractor, or construction manager
Proven track record of claims oversight and cost containment across multiple lines of coverage
Experience negotiating contracts and providing risk-related legal guidance in collaboration with counsel
Certified Risk Manager (CRM) or Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation preferred
Associate in Captive Insurance (ACI) or similar designation a plus
Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate risk exposures before they materialize and translate complex risk concepts into actionable business recommendations
Executive Communication: Skilled at presenting risk topics to non-technical audiences, including Boards and C-suite leadership, with clarity and credibility
Financial Acumen: Proficient in total cost of risk modeling, actuarial concepts, reserve analysis, and the financial mechanics of captive and self-insurance structures
Construction Knowledge: Deep familiarity with construction operations, project delivery methods (GC, CM-at-Risk, Design-Build), and the associated risk environment
Negotiation: Effective negotiator with carriers, brokers, sureties, and counterparties on contracts and risk terms
Cross-Functional Leadership: Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority across departments and project teams
Technology: Proficiency with risk management information systems (RMIS), claims management platforms, and data analytics tools
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future
Benefits
Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance
Employees can enroll in our company’s 401(k) plan
Vacation, sick and holiday pay
Important Details
Locations: San Diego, CA; Denver, CO; Dallas, TX; or Edison, NJ
About the Company
SOLV Energy is a leading provider of infrastructure services to the power industry, designing, building and maintaining utility scale solar, battery storage and high voltage substation projects nationwide.
SOLV Energy is a renewable energy solutions provider for utility solar, energy storage, and high voltage projects in North America.
