RISK MANAGER

La Crosse County•La Crosse, WI

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

La Crosse County is establishing a countywide Risk Management program and seeks a strategic Risk Manager to build and lead it. The role will shape policies, organizational culture, safety, and financial stewardship across county government. The Risk Manager serves as the county’s primary expert in organizational risk strategy, insurance and claims oversight, safety and workers’ compensation, contract risk review, fraud prevention, and business continuity and catastrophic event planning. The position also serves as a trusted internal consultant to department leaders, improving consistency, compliance, and accountability throughout the organization. The Risk Manager reports directly to the County Administrator and partners closely with Corporation Counsel, Finance, and Human Resources. The position is based at the La Crosse County Administrative Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with a hybrid schedule allowing remote work up to two days per week. The hiring range is $83,600–$111,200, depending on qualifications and experience. The County also provides employer-paid benefits, with an estimated annual contribution at the hiring midpoint of approximately $28,700 for single coverage and $43,000 for family coverage. These benefits include health and dental insurance, WRS retirement contributions, and paid leave.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in risk management, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience in risk management program development and administration.
Knowledge of insurance, safety, workers’ compensation, and claims practices.
Strong analytical skills and ability to use risk data to influence decisions.
Experience with contracts, legal risk concepts, or regulatory compliance.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

Build and lead a countywide Risk Management program.
Design risk management policies, frameworks, and long-term strategies.
Lead risk identification, analysis, and mitigation initiatives.
Manage insurance procurement and renewals, and oversee insurance and vendor relationships.
Oversee open claims, negotiations, cost allocation, and resolution.
Direct the county’s workplace safety program.
Administer the workers’ compensation program and compliance standards.
Develop and maintain crisis management, response, and business continuity plans.
Conduct audits, evaluate exposure trends, and present recommendations to leadership.
Advise leaders across departments and improve organizational consistency, compliance, and accountability.
Support fraud prevention and catastrophic event planning.