Risk Management Officer - San Francisco Bay University

DESCRIPTION 

About San Francisco Bay University: 

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), a nonprofit, WASC-accredited, university situated in the heart of Silicon Valley in Fremont, California, seeks an innovative and experienced Compliance and Risk Management Officer. SFBU’s mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers and our vision is to set the standard as a national model of higher education in service of the common good.

At SFBU, students come first. We prioritize students’ needs by fostering personal engagement among students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to providing affordable quality education with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. 

We encourage you to learn more about SFBU by reviewing our strategic plan at

Position Overview: 

Reporting to the Chief FinancialOfficer (CFO), the Risk Management Officer (RMO) administers SFBU’s risk management programs. The RMO leads enterprise risk management efforts for SFBU and will be responsible for developing risk management strategies, policies and procedures, and influencing risk owners in the integration of risk management processes into the University's business, academic and research activities to manage and mitigate SFBU’s operational risks. This position serves as a trusted advisor and consultant to university leaders on matters related to risk and insurance evaluation, policy development and ensuring the integrity of internal controls and business processes. This is a full time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), located in Fremont, CA.  This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Conduct risk assessments, collecting and analyzing documentation, statistics, reports and market trends. 

• Maintain knowledge of existing and developing laws and regulations related to the organization’s industry; assess and explain how new requirements may affect the organization in terms of risk exposure. 

• Ensure and/or facilitate adequate communication concerning key risks. 

• Develop and recommend policies and procedures which will support an overall University strategy to manage the cost of providing asset and income loss protection and risk financing. 

• Review and analyze metrics and data such as cash flow, inventory, breakage, and employee activity that could uncover fraudulent behavior. 

• Work with operational and academic departments on a continuous and proactive basis to develop and coordinate a university wide Business Continuity Plan (BCP) to maintain functional operations during or following disruptive events.

• Work with other operational departments on the administration of employee safety and risk programs campus wide, provide appropriate follow up to address issues which contribute to unsafe work practices or environments. 

• Recommend and implement risk management solutions such as insurance, safety and security policies, business continuity plans, or recovery measures. 

• Manage the University's insurance programs and provide support to in-house litigation matters. 

• Serve as a point of contact and a collection point for University loss claims and expenses associated with man-made and natural disasters qualifying for state and/or federal cost recovery, including accident and injury reports associated with faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

• Provide current trending reports to both university leaders and department heads. 

• Provide recommendations and regular feedback to operational leaders on areas for improvement.

• Develop a compliance training program that includes risk management training for the Board of Directors and staff. 

• Some travel may be required. 

• Perform other duties as directed.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Risk Management, Insurance, Law, or related field. 

• At least 5 years of experience in risk management, compliance, or a related field, preferably within a higher education institution or a nonprofit organization.

• Demonstrated experience in enterprise risk management, developing and implementing risk management strategies, and advising senior leadership on risk-related matters.

• Experience in insurance program management and claims management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of risk management principles, enterprise risk management (ERM), and compliance regulations, preferably in higher education, including knowledge of relevant laws (e.g., Title IX, FERPA, OSHA). 

• Familiarity with insurance policies, claims management, and risk financing.

• Skilled in creating and implementing risk management policies, internal controls, and fraud prevention strategies. 

• Experience with business continuity and disaster recovery planning to ensure operational resilience.

• Ability to assess and analyze data to identify risks and recommend effective solutions. Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills to mitigate risks and improve organizational practices.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for conveying complex risk and compliance information to diverse stakeholders. 

• Ability to develop and deliver training programs on risk management and compliance.

• Proven ability to collaborate with various departments and influence university leadership to integrate risk management practices. 

• Capable of leading initiatives and advising senior leaders on risk and compliance matters.

• Strong attention to detail in reviewing processes and data, ensuring compliance, and maintaining confidentiality. 

• Strong ethical judgment and the ability to handle sensitive information responsibly.

• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment, adapting to changing risks and priorities. 

• Ability to drive long-term goals while addressing immediate needs.

Salary Range: $120,000-$150,000, depending on experience.

Application Process:

1. For full consideration, please submit your completed application, resume, and a cover letter describing your interest in the role and working at SFBU. 

2. Provide names and contact information of 3 references. 

This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer: SFBU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. SFBU does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.

In accordance with federal and state disability laws, San Francisco Bay University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance during the application or interview process, please contact SFBU Human Resources at