Senior Risk & Claims Manager

Border Foods•New Hope, MN

About The Position

The Senior Risk & Claims Manager is responsible for leading Border Foods’ enterprise risk management and claims strategy across all company operations. This role focuses on minimizing organizational risk, reducing loss exposure, improving claim outcomes, and managing insurance-related costs through proactive oversight of claims, litigation, insurance administration, and risk analytics. This leader oversees the full lifecycle of workers’ compensation, general liability, property, crime, and fleet claims while serving as the primary liaison with insurance carriers, brokers, third-party administrators, and legal counsel. The Senior Risk & Claims Manager also drives technology, systems, and reporting improvements to provide greater visibility into enterprise risk trends, improve operational decision-making, and support proactive mitigation strategies across the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Business Administration, Finance, Insurance, Legal Studies, Human Resources, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience
5+ years of progressive experience in: Risk management, Claims administration, Insurance operations, Litigation support, Loss prevention or related field
Experience managing workers’ compensation, general liability, and insurance claims required
Experience using analytics, systems, and reporting tools to drive business decisions
Valid driver’s license required
Strong knowledge of claims management, insurance programs, and litigation processes
Ability to interpret policies, contracts, legal documentation, and claim-related information
Strong financial and business acumen with cost-management mindset
Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills
Strong systems and technology orientation
Ability to identify patterns and translate data into actionable recommendations
Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
Strong executive presence and ability to influence across all levels
High level of professionalism, judgment, and confidentiality

Nice To Haves

Multi-site and multi-state experience strongly preferred
Restaurant, retail, franchise, or other high-volume operational experience preferred
Experience working with insurance carriers, brokers, TPAs, and legal counsel strongly preferred
Leadership experience preferred
Ability to travel as needed

Responsibilities

Lead and continuously evolve Border Foods’ enterprise risk management strategy across a multi-state restaurant footprint.
Identify operational, financial, legal, and insurance-related risk exposures.
Analyze claim trends, loss drivers, and recurring patterns to proactively reduce organizational risk.
Develop risk mitigation strategies and recommendations for senior leadership.
Establish and maintain key risk performance metrics and reporting.
Oversee administration and resolution of all company claims, including: Workers’ Compensation, General Liability, Property Damage, Crime, Fleet / Vehicle Claims.
Manage claim lifecycle from incident reporting through closure.
Review claim severity, reserve adequacy, settlement recommendations, and escalation needs.
Partner with adjusters and claim administrators to ensure timely and effective claim resolution.
Drive cost containment through strong claims oversight and proactive intervention.
Serve as primary point of contact for insurance carriers, brokers, and captive insurance partners.
Support annual policy renewals, coverage review, and insurance program administration.
Monitor loss history and claim trends to support renewal strategy and premium management.
Evaluate policy effectiveness and recommend adjustments to improve protection and reduce exposure.
Ensure accurate documentation and reporting related to insurance programs.
Oversee litigation related to claims, liability, and risk matters.
Partner with internal stakeholders, adjusters, attorneys, and outside legal counsel on active cases.
Coordinate evidence gathering, documentation, and case preparation.
Monitor litigation timelines, legal spend, settlement strategy, and case outcomes.
Escalate high-risk legal matters to executive leadership when appropriate.
Optimize systems supporting claims management, incident reporting, and risk analytics.
Improve reporting capabilities and enterprise visibility into risk trends.
Partner with internal technology and analytics teams to identify automation and process improvement opportunities.
Develop dashboards and reporting tools that support data-driven decision-making.
Leverage analytics to identify root causes and opportunities for operational improvement.
Lead, coach, and develop direct report to ensure strong departmental performance and continuity.
Partner closely with Operations, Human Resources, Facilities, Finance, and executive leadership.
Provide consultation and guidance regarding claims, risk exposure, and mitigation strategies.
Build strong cross-functional relationships and influence risk-aware decision-making across the organization.
Foster accountability, operational discipline, and proactive problem solving.