President & CEO (Chief Executive Officer)

Talence Group LLC • Salem, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

SAIF Corporation, Oregon's largest workers' compensation insurance carrier, is seeking a President & CEO to lead the organization into its next century. SAIF has a unique mandate to provide affordable and accessible workers' compensation while delivering extraordinary service to Oregon's workers and employers. The company serves over 53,000 policyholders and protects more than half a million workers across various sectors of Oregon's economy. SAIF is a not-for-profit, state-chartered public corporation with approximately 1,200 employees, headquartered in Salem with six offices statewide. It manages approximately $5.3 billion in assets and is governed by a five-member Board of Directors. SAIF is committed to workplace safety and prevention, working with employers to reduce injuries and make Oregon the safest place to work. The organization fosters a collaborative, service-oriented culture with employees dedicated to its mission.

Requirements

• A record of enterprise-wide leadership in a large, complex, regulated organization, with significant accountability for financial performance, operations, and external stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen and experience stewarding substantial financial resources, with an understanding of long-term risk, financial sustainability, and disciplined resource allocation.
• Demonstrated success partnering effectively with a board of directors and navigating a complex external stakeholder environment.
• A track record of leading through significant change, making difficult decisions while building understanding, alignment, and commitment.
• Demonstrated ability to build a diverse, inclusive, high-performing culture where employees with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, respected, and able to contribute fully.
• A genuine commitment to SAIF’s public-purpose mission and to serving Oregon’s workers and employers.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible executive leadership experience required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in insurance, workers’ compensation, financial services, or another industry requiring sophisticated understanding of risk, reserves, and long-term financial obligations.
• Experience in a public-sector, quasi-public, mutual, or not-for-profit organization.
• Experience sponsoring or leading significant enterprise modernization and transformation.
• Experience navigating complex state-level political, regulatory, and business environments.
• MBA, JD, or relevant advanced degree.

Responsibilities

• Set a compelling, clear, forward-looking strategy that aligns the enterprise around shared priorities and positions SAIF for long-term success.
• Foster effective governance by building a trusted, transparent partnership with the Board, engaging board members effectively in strategy, governance, financial stewardship, and enterprise performance.
• Lead SAIF’s evolution preserving the mission and organizational strengths while positioning the organization for sustained success.
• Ensure SAIF’s long-term financial strength and sound stewardship of its $5.3 billion in assets, balancing affordability and competitiveness with its enduring obligations to Oregon’s workers and employers.
• Strengthen SAIF’s position in a competitive market, anticipating changes in Oregon’s economy and employer base and positioning the organization to meet evolving needs.
• Lead and develop a high-performing executive team that operates with shared accountability for enterprise-wide results.
• Align SAIF's organization and resources with its strategy, positioning the enterprise to execute with focus and clarity.
• Preserve the mission-centered culture and commitment to care that distinguish SAIF while strengthening performance, accountability, and shared ownership for results.
• Ensure SAIF has the leadership and organizational structures and capabilities needed to execute its strategy and meet the demands of the future.
• Advance enterprise modernization, ensuring SAIF’s technology, data, processes, and ways of working support better decisions, stronger service, and greater organizational effectiveness.
• Build trust and maintain SAIF’s credibility with the Governor’s office, Oregon Legislature, regulators, business and labor leaders, and other key stakeholders, navigating the responsibilities and visibility of a public not-for-profit corporation with sound judgment.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for SAIF, strengthening its relationships, influence, and reputation across Oregon and within the workers’ compensation industry nationally.

Benefits

• A highly competitive compensation package including a target annual incentive plan.
• Participation in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive