Director of Risk Management – Acute Care Hospital

Director of Risk Management – Acute Care Hospital

Las Vegas, NV

Salary: Targeting the $150,000s, up to approximately $160,000 based on experience
Approximately 300-Bed Acute Care Hospital
Reports Directly to the CEO
Coordinator/Manager-Level Support
Priority Search – Interview Process Expected to Move Quickly

We are conducting a priority search for an experienced Director of Risk Management to join the executive leadership team of an approximately 300-bed acute care hospital.

This is a highly visible leadership position reporting directly to the CEO, with an existing coordinator/manager-level leader supporting the department. The organization is looking to move quickly and is seeking a strong healthcare risk management professional who can provide both strategic leadership and hands-on expertise across patient safety, claims management, regulatory compliance, risk reduction, and performance improvement.

The ideal candidate will bring meaningful hospital risk management experience, a strong understanding of acute care operations, and the ability to partner effectively with senior executives, physicians, nursing leadership, department directors, and frontline clinical teams.

Position Overview

The Director of Risk Management is responsible for the ongoing leadership and effective operation of the hospital's patient safety and risk management programs.

This individual will oversee risk identification and mitigation, claims management, investigations, root cause analyses, regulatory compliance, risk assessments, patient safety initiatives, and organizational risk-reduction strategies.

The Director will also provide education and guidance to hospital leadership and staff while using data and industry best practices to identify trends, reduce organizational exposure, and improve patient safety.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced risk leader who wants a direct line to the CEO and the ability to influence risk and patient safety strategy across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management & Patient Safety

• Provide overall leadership for the hospital's risk management and patient safety programs.
• Identify potential areas of clinical, operational, and organizational risk and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Conduct risk assessments for existing operations, new programs, and new services.
• Evaluate trends and identify opportunities to reduce risk and improve patient safety.
• Partner with hospital leadership to develop and implement facility-wide risk-reduction strategies.
• Provide guidance to clinical and administrative leaders regarding risk management best practices.
• Promote a proactive culture of safety throughout the organization.

Claims Management & Investigations

• Provide oversight of claims management activities.
• Conduct and coordinate investigations of potential claims and adverse events.
• Perform detailed analysis of events to identify contributing factors and areas of organizational risk.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, follow-up, and reporting.
• Collaborate with appropriate internal and external stakeholders regarding claims and risk-related matters.
• Identify trends within claims data and recommend strategies to reduce future exposure.

Root Cause Analysis & Performance Improvement

• Lead and facilitate Root Cause Analyses (RCA) involving significant clinical and patient safety events.
• Develop and monitor corrective action plans resulting from RCA findings.
• Track action plans through completion and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Utilize Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and other quality and risk-management methodologies.
• Incorporate data analysis into risk-management decision-making.
• Support organizational quality and performance improvement initiatives.
• Apply Lean/Six Sigma principles when appropriate.

Patient Safety Leadership

• Provide leadership and management support for the hospital's Patient Safety Council.
• Coordinate patient safety initiatives across clinical and operational departments.
• Work collaboratively with department directors and executive leadership to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Promote effective reporting, analysis, and follow-up of patient safety events.
• Provide education to leadership and staff regarding risk management and patient safety practices.

Regulatory & Accreditation Compliance

• Serve as a subject matter expert regarding healthcare risk, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of The Joint Commission standards and CMS requirements.
• Ensure risk management activities support hospital licensing and accreditation requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable regulations, standards, and healthcare risk-management practices.
• Assist leadership in preparing for regulatory and accreditation surveys.
• Provide education regarding regulatory and compliance expectations.

Executive & Clinical Collaboration

• Report directly to the CEO and serve as a key resource to the hospital's executive leadership team.
• Develop strong relationships with physicians, nursing leadership, department directors, and other clinical personnel.
• Communicate risk trends, findings, recommendations, and action plans to senior leadership.
• Provide leadership and education to departments regarding risk prevention and patient safety.
• Effectively communicate complex risk and regulatory issues to both clinical and non-clinical audiences.
• Partner with departmental leaders to ensure risk-reduction strategies are successfully implemented.

Required Qualifications

Candidates should possess:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field
• 2–5 years of Risk Management experience
• Strong knowledge of healthcare risk management and patient safety principles
• Experience with investigations, claims management, risk assessments, and Root Cause Analysis
• Knowledge of The Joint Commission standards
• Knowledge of CMS and applicable healthcare regulatory requirements
• Experience applying RCA, FMEA, and other quality/risk-management tools
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with physicians, clinical personnel, executive leadership, and the public
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and applicable hospital software systems

Acute care hospital experience is strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a healthcare, clinical, business, or related field
• 3+ years of leadership experience in a related field
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)
• Previous acute care hospital Risk Management leadership experience
• Lean/Six Sigma knowledge or experience
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis
• Experience working directly with hospital executive leadership

What We're Looking For

The successful candidate will be more than an administrator. We are looking for a visible, credible risk leader who can identify issues, analyze complex situations, communicate effectively with executives and clinicians, and drive meaningful improvements.

The strongest candidates will have demonstrated success in:

• Hospital Risk Management
• Patient Safety
• Claims management and investigations
• Root Cause Analysis
• FMEA and performance improvement
• Regulatory and accreditation compliance
• Joint Commission and CMS requirements
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Data analysis and reporting
• Physician and clinical leadership collaboration
• Staff and leadership education
• Development and implementation of risk-reduction strategies

Compensation & Benefits

The organization is targeting compensation in the $150,000s, with a maximum of approximately $160,000 depending on experience and qualifications.

The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Competitive compensation and generous paid time off
• Time Off Benefit Opt Out Program offering a 9% pay differential
• Educational and tuition reimbursement of up to $5,250 annually
• Student loan refinancing program
• Employee referral bonus opportunities
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Health Savings Account options
• Life and supplemental insurance options
• Accident and critical illness coverage
• Auto, home, and pet insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional health and wellness resources
• Adoption and fertility assistance programs
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee stock purchase program
• Employee discounts
• Career growth and professional development opportunities within a larger healthcare organization

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a high-priority leadership search, and the organization is prepared to move quickly for the right candidate.

The position offers several attractive advantages for an experienced healthcare risk professional: direct reporting to the CEO, an approximately 300-bed acute care environment, existing coordinator/manager-level support, significant organizational visibility, and the opportunity to directly influence patient safety and risk strategy.

For a successful Risk Manager, Senior Risk Manager, or comparable healthcare risk leader who has the experience and leadership ability to take the next step, this may also represent an excellent opportunity to advance into a Director-level position.

Interested? Let's Talk.

If you have hospital Risk Management experience and are ready for a highly visible leadership opportunity where your expertise will have a direct impact on patient safety and organizational performance, I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you confidentially.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply with a current resume or reach out directly for a confidential conversation. This is an immediate need, and the interview process is expected to move quickly for candidates whose backgrounds align with the position.