Risk Manager - Corporate Services

Gresham Smith•Nashville, TN

About The Position

Gresham Smith is seeking a Risk Manager to join their Corporate Services team. This role will support the Director of Risk Management in various areas including policy development, insurance renewals, and special projects. The Risk Manager will be responsible for managing assigned contract, project, insurance, incident, and claims matters from intake through resolution. This position requires the ability to independently resolve routine risk matters and escalate issues involving significant legal, financial, insurance, operational, or reputational risk. The role involves reviewing and assessing professional services agreements, advising staff on contractual risks, and negotiating terms with clients and other parties. The Risk Manager will also support project pursuit decisions by identifying and communicating contractual and other relevant risks, assist in documenting project issues, and maintain incident reporting and claims management procedures. Additionally, the role supports subconsultant risk management, assists with annual insurance renewals, monitors risk management metrics, and maintains risk management policies and training materials. The use of AI-enabled tools is expected, with a focus on responsible usage and independent judgment. This role directly contributes to shaping environments where people live, work, and thrive, offering career growth within a supportive culture.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field
Five to ten years of relevant AEC industry experience
Substantial experience reviewing and negotiating professional services agreements
Additional experience in one or more of the following areas: design or project management, professional liability insurance, claims, litigation support, or policy development
Demonstrated ability to evaluate, explain, and negotiate complex professional services agreements
Working knowledge of professional liability insurance, project-specific insurance requirements, claims reporting, and litigation processes
Knowledge of construction processes for large vertical and horizontal projects, including experience negotiating and resolving design and construction issues
Strong judgment and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize competing matters, independently resolve routine issues, recognize when escalation is necessary, analyze risk and claims information, and prepare concise reports and recommendations
Strong interpersonal, written communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to address complex and sensitive issues professionally with design professionals, firm management, attorneys, insurers, and clients
Experience using Deltek, Newforma, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Microsoft Office applications, and AI-enabled productivity and research tools

Nice To Haves

Professional licensure preferred

Responsibilities

Support the Director of Risk Management with decision-making, policy development, annual reporting, insurance renewals, industry research, and special projects
Manage assigned contract, project, insurance, incident, and claims matters from intake through resolution
Independently resolve routine risk matters and escalate issues involving material legal, financial, insurance, operational, or reputational risk
Review and assess professional services agreements to identify, prioritize, and categorize unacceptable terms and conditions
Advise design and management staff on contractual risks, recommend alternative language, and negotiate reasonable terms with clients, design professionals, legal counsel, and other contracting parties
Maintain consistent contract review practices and tools, including checklists, approved fallback language, escalation criteria, and records of negotiated exceptions
Support project pursuit and go or no-go decisions by identifying and communicating contractual, professional liability, insurance, claims history, delivery method, and other relevant risk considerations
Assist design and management staff in documenting project issues and preparing appropriate written correspondence
Maintain incident reporting and claims management procedures and prepare reports addressing responsibilities, deadlines, status, and material developments
Track project incidents, claims, disputes, and litigation, and coordinate relevant communications among project teams, insurers, legal counsel, and senior management
Support subconsultant risk management by reviewing agreement terms, flow-down obligations, indemnity provisions, and insurance requirements
Support annual insurance renewals by collecting and validating exposure data, analyzing loss information, and preparing submissions for brokers and insurers
Monitor risk management metrics, analyze incident and claims information, and prepare periodic reports and recommendations for senior management
Maintain risk management policies, procedures, guidance, training materials, tools, and Risk Management Portal content addressing professional liability and other AEC risks
Use approved AI-enabled productivity and research tools responsibly in support of risk management activities, including validating outputs, protecting confidential information, exercising independent judgment, and complying with applicable firm policies
Deliver risk management training, participate in relevant industry organizations, maintain industry contacts and resources, and perform other duties related to the firm’s risk management function