REGION RISK MANAGER

Job Summary:

Knife River is a PEOPLE-First company. Our team members are the key to our success, and we are committed to giving them the tools, training, and time to do their jobs productively and go home safely each day. We believe in building strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. We are committed to making a difference. Join our growing team today!

Knife River is hiring for a Region Risk Manager!

As the Risk Manager for Knife River's West Region, you will lead the development and execution of risk management strategies that protect our people, assets, and operations while supporting a proactive, safety-first culture and alignment with our competitive EDGE objectives. You will oversee insured and uninsured claims, bonding and surety programs, certificates of insurance, and insurance-related contract reviews. In this highly collaborative role, you will work closely with Operations, Safety, and Legal teams to identify, assess, and mitigate regional risk. You will analyze trends, communicate insights to leadership, and ensure company and regulatory standards compliance. This position requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to influence cross-functional decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in risk management, business administration, insurance, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in risk management, insurance claims, or related construction or heavy industry functions.
• Strong working knowledge of insured and uninsured claims processes, certificates of insurance, bonding and surety programs, and contractual risk transfer.
• Proven ability to analyze risk data, identify trends, and communicate insights that inform business decisions.
• Effective collaborator with experience partnering across Legal, Safety, and Operations teams to assess and mitigate risk.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills, with the professionalism to handle sensitive and confidential matters.

Ability to travel regionally as needed; must possess a valid driver's license and be located at or willing to relocate to a West Region office location.

Preferred Requirements:

• Risk management or insurance certification (e.g., ARM, CRM, CPCU); industry experience in construction, heavy civil, or industrial sectors preferred.
• Skilled in interpreting insurance policies, risk transfer, and insurance terms in construction contracts
• Strong analytical judgment with proven ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Clear communicator with experience working across teams, insurers, brokers, and external partners.

Familiar with RMIS or tools for tracking claims, compliance, and risk data.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Champion Safety and Compliance - Lead by example in promoting a safety-first culture, actively driving and supporting corporate and local safety initiatives while ensuring all Risk Management programs align with safety objectives.
2. Drive a People-First Culture-Champion Knife River's Core Values (People, Safety, Quality, and Environment), fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes employee engagement, well-being, and performance.
3. Lead Claims Management & Resolution - Oversee the end-to-end management of insured claims, ensuring timely claim filing and reporting, coordination with carriers, and accurate resolution; assist with uninsured claims and support field teams during the process.
4. Drive Subrogation & Recovery Efforts - Manage subrogation for auto physical damage claims, identifying recovery opportunities and negotiating settlements to minimize financial loss.
5. Ensure Certificate Compliance & Issuance - Review incoming certificates of insurance for compliance with contract terms and issue/revise certificates for clients and project partners.
6. Support Contractual Risk Review - Review and provide guidance on contract insurance language, ensuring compliance with company standards and recommending edits where necessary.
7. Deliver Risk Reporting & Insights - Prepare and present regular reports on claims trends, financial impact, and performance metrics to senior leadership, Safety, Legal, Accounting, and other stakeholders.
8. Collaborate Across Functions - Partner closely with Operations, Safety, and Legal to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, supporting a unified and proactive approach to risk management.
9. Implement Risk Management Best Practices & Performance Metrics - Drive Risk Management operational excellence by establishing KPIs, leading process improvements, and implementing industry best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
10. Partner with Operations for Risk Management Planning - Collaborate with operations leaders to align Risk Management initiatives with business priorities, ensuring Risk Management strategies support operational goals and workforce demands.
11. Represent the Company & Industry - Actively participate in industry committees, national/regional meetings, and working groups, positioning Knife River as an employer of choice and industry leader.
12. Ensure Agility & Responsiveness - Maintain the ability to travel on short notice and for extended periods to support business needs across the region.
13. Perform Additional Duties as Assigned - Take on special projects and leadership initiatives that enhance the company's people strategy and organizational effectiveness.

Benefits:

• Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K with Company Match
• Profit Sharing
• 8 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Safety Incentives
• Years of Service Recognition

How To Apply:

To be considered for this position, candidates must complete and submit an employment application at jobs.kniferiver.com by the posting deadline noted above. If unable to complete an application online you may print and send completed application to any Knife River NW address or stop in one of our locations to complete an application.

Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

If you are an individual with a qualified disability as defined by federal, state, or local law and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application for any reason, please contact your state employment agency or you may call 541-693-5960 to speak with a human resources representative.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background check.

Veterans: Put Your Skills to Work with Us!
At Knife River, we are committed to helping our military transition to civilian life. We are constantly looking to add veterans to our workforce and want to make the transition as smooth as possible. There are many jobs within the military that are transferable to our Contracts and Risk Manager position:

Air Force:
Manpower
Superintendent, Inspections
Knowledge Management Journeyman

Army:
Force Development
Operations Research
Chief Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Sergeant

Marines:
Advanced Information Operations
Manpower Management Officer
Material Management Officer

Navy:
Management Analysis and Control Officer
Staff Operations & Plans Officer