Agency Risk Manager

Agency Risk Manager (WMS 2)

Location: Seattle or Olympia, WA

Full Time - Permanent

Salary - $89,263.00 - $116,775.00 Annually

Job Description:

At the Department of Commerce, we're reimagining what's possible in government. We're builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we're turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency's strength lies in the diversity of our workforce, and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you're ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let's build what's next, together.

This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer. Alongside the Human Resources Division, the Financial Services Division, and the Contracts and Compliance Division, collectively constituting the Office of Operations.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Agency Risk Manager (ARM) serves as the agency Subject Matter Expert (SME) regarding agency risk and risk mitigation.

The Commerce ARM is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing enterprise-wide risk management strategies to safeguard agency operations, assets, and personnel. This role ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, manages risk financing programs, and coordinates loss prevention initiatives in coordination with agency leadership. The position serves as an advisor on risk-related matters, including public disclosure, data privacy, emergency preparedness, and litigation management.

As the agency risk management and safety SME, this position represents the agency in statewide initiatives such as interagency committees and workgroups and must understand the requirements governing Commerce's activities and authority to effectively implement various business processes that contribute to risk mitigation and minimize non-compliance with applicable regulations. The primary areas of focus of this role include:

• Agency risk mitigation and support
• Emergency preparedness and safety compliance
• Training and technical assistance
• COOP and emergency management

This position is responsible for providing expert-level advice and guidance to agency leadership, other managers, and program level staff which enables them to make critical decisions in performing their duties, reducing the risk to the agency. This position manages the work of professional staff responsible for related support service work at all organizational levels.

The ARM provides oversight and leads the establishment of standard processes and performance measures across the agency. This position also collaborates with other SMEs to establish policies, procedures, and practices to identify and manage relevant risks. Through engagement, modeling of best practices, and facilitating connections, the ARM contributes to culture building and develops effective working relationships among division leaders and teams.

This position must be based in our Seattle or Olympia offices.

This position is accountable for providing expert-level, reliable, and professionally sound consultation to executive leaders, managers, supervisors, and other agency employees and providing key deliverables in the following areas:

• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Implement and maintain a comprehensive ERM framework and risk registry aligned with agency strategic objectives and state mandates (Executive Order 16-06, RCW 43.19.781). This includes but is not limited to educating agency staff on ERM principles, identifying programmatic and operational risks that could impair the agency's ability to meet its objectives, and prioritizing and mitigating those risks to ensure compliance with Washington Executive Order 16-06.
• Loss Prevention & Safety: Develop and administer programs to reduce incidents and losses, including safety training, emergency operations planning, and compliance with WAC 296-800-130. This includes the development of reports, templates, guidance messages, trainings, briefing memos (verbal and written), and other materials compliant with complex state, federal, and third-party legal requirements, aligning with agency objectives and articulating and mitigating adverse risk using plain talk.
• Risk Financing & Insurance: Manage self-insurance programs, risk pools, and insurance coverage for property, liability, and health benefits. Track premiums and certificates of insurance. Manage compliance and other statutory requirements on behalf of Commerce.
• Compliance