Manager, Risk Management and Insurance

JOB SUMMARY:

This Manager will lead a significant business function and is accountable for strategic planning, operational execution, risk oversight, talent development and achievement of business objectives. The role requires leadership through others, strong business acumen, enterprise collaboration and the ability to make sound decisions in complex and uncertain environments.

The individual acts as Manager for Southern Company’s Risk Management & Insurance Department (Atlanta) working alongside, directing and overseeing the work efforts primarily associated with designated liability coverage lines, including surety, and the captive. This position is responsible for: providing professional and technical expertise in assessing corporate property & casualty risks; determining appropriate risk management strategies; designing and negotiating risk transfer, risk financing and loss control plans and integrating those plans into the broader Southern Company enterprise - wide risk management philosophy and practice; administering corporate risk & insurance programs; and supporting Alternative Risk Transfer (ART) arrangements, on behalf of Southern Company (SoCo) and subsidiaries.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

BBA (MBA and/or CPCU/ARM preferred) with emphasis in risk management, commercial property and casualty insurance & risk finance or related field. Demonstrated commitment to continuing professional development is a plus.

Job Experience:

13 years or more years’ relevant work experience (depending on academic background) in corporate risk management, insurance brokerage, captive management and/ or commercial lines underwriting and include Management/supervisor experience. Must have experience managing 3rd party vendors

Job Knowledge, Skills:

- Extensive knowledge and demonstrated expertise & experience (minimum 13 years), in the following areas:
- Corporate property and casualty insurance policies (broad spectrum); emphasis in commercial liability insurance
- Finance (particularly risk financing applications)
- Contractual risk transfer and insurance techniques
- Strategic leadership: Develop and execute functional strategies aligned with enterprise objectives
- Think holistically about business operations and broader organizational impacts
- Identify emerging risk, opportunities and trends
- Lead transformation, process improvement and innovation initiatives
- Anticipate changing conditions and adjust priorities accordingly
- Operational & Financial Management: Direct the activities of staff, establish clear goals and expectations , manage budgets, forecast and resource allocation as well as monitor performance and ensure delivery of results. Ensure compliance with policies, requirements and governance standards. Role requires:
- Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
- Strong aptitude for problem solving and negotiations; ability to constructively handle occasional conflict situations
- Strong organizational & time management skills including ability to prioritize and manage multiple task

People Leadership:

- Foster collaboration internally and across departments and operating companies, promote an inclusive and high performing work environment, lead and ensure development of staff including providing constructive feedback of performance and development plans. Develop and maintain a leadership pipeline.
- Risk Management and Insurance:
- Superior knowledge of property and casualty insurance
- Working knowledge of construction risk management & insurance tools and techniques
- Working knowledge of alternative risk finance techniques (including large retentions, captive facilities, & capital markets/ hybrid solutions)
- Working knowledge and expertise in claims handling and negotiations and risk management information systems
- Working knowledge of generally accepted loss control principles and practices
- Working knowledge of electric, gas and renewables projects and the major contracts which comprise them through course of development, construction, operations and maintenance; and the related risks and insurance tools and/ or loss control measures to address those risks is preferred
- General knowledge of enterprise risk management principles and practices
- General knowledge of utility industry insurance property and casualty insurance markets is preferred, particularly industry mutual insurers such as AEGIS and Energy Insurance Mutual

Stakeholder Management:

- Strong interpersonal communications (oral and written), teaming and negotiating skills; ability to establish a rapport, inspire confidence and effectively interact with personnel of varying backgrounds/ position levels within the company and with external service providers
- Ability to influence decisions through data driven recommendations and business insight
- Broad, general knowledge of Southern Company and subsidiaries’ (core and non-core) operations is preferred.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel & PowerPoint; prefer experience with (or commitment to soon acquire) ChatGPT, Claude Enterprise, 365 CoPilot/Studio and other AI related tools with current and potential RMI applications; experience with DXC’s Assure/RiskMaster is a plus

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Act as Manager for the SCS Risk Management Atlanta Section working alongside, directing and overseeing the work efforts of designated personnel
- Identify and assess corporate property and casualty exposures arising from current and planned operations, with particular emphasis on commercial liability risks. Works with staff and management at levels across SoCo as well as a variety of external resources.
- Provide strategic leadership of the property and casualty insurance and risk transfer program
- Senior level experience in counterparty contractual risk transfer and insurance provisions.
- Ability to advise supply chain and contracts administration personnel, project development coordinators, legal counsel and operations management on techniques which will minimize risk to Southern Company and subsidiaries; provide support for contract negotiations and/ or lead in relevant portions of those negotiations, as requested.
- Design, negotiate, place and administer insurance or other risk financing techniques which will minimize the adverse financial impact of fortuitous loss and produce the long-term lowest cost of risk (sum of insurance costs, self-insured claims costs and certain loss-control expenses)
- Manage the captive operations and the staff that support the captive ensuring effective operations including State and regulatory compliance
- Design, implement and manage designated liability lines, including captive and alternative risk financing/ insurance plans. Responsibilities include budget and accounting reconciliation, compiling underwriting information, negotiating excess insurance and reinsurance plans, premium allocation among subsidiaries, claims settlement and recordkeeping, and interface, as and where required, with captive management and broker activities.
- Support related loss control programs for SoCo and subsidiaries facilities and operations to monitor and assess loss exposures, develop recommendations to prevent or mitigate risks of property damage, business interruption losses and bodily injury arising from premises and operations and provide leadership in sharing best practices
- Work closely with subsidiary staff, operational and risk management personnel to establish and maintain strong communications and relations with insurers and loss control personnel in furtherance of optimal, cost effective and proactive insurance & loss control programs
- Administer and negotiate certain casualty claims ( & property claims as may be required from time to time) with insurers, primarily for SoCo and non-core operations, other than those that fall within the purview of the operating subsidiary risk management functions; and, in those cases, provide aid and support, as requested, in negotiations with insurers to effect timely, equitable claims resolution and optimal insurance recoveries
- Design, implement and manage construction insurance plans, as assigned, including Builders Risk Property Insurance and Owner Controlled Insurance Programs (Workers Compensation and General; Liability) covering contractors’ activities during course of construction.
- Structure and manage vendor relationships including insurance companies, brokers, third-party claims administration, legal counsel, actuaries and consultants.
- Administer Risk Management Department departmental and subsidiary billing budgets, underwriting and premium allocation programs for the coverage(s) under his/ her purview.
- Develop(or assist Director in developing) strategy and lead departmental efforts to design and implement / enhance AI tools and techniques for RMI applications
- Potential to work in concert with ERM & corporate resilience functions in support of an overall integrated and cohesive Southern Company Enterprise Risk Management Strategy
- Act as Assistant to the Director, Risk Management, handling special projects as assigned
- Travel could be up to 25% of time