Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.
The Director of Risk Management reports to the SVP, Chief Tax Officer and Treasurer and is responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating enterprise-wide risk exposures across the organization. This role leads the design and execution of global risk management and insurance strategies, coordinates closely with Legal and external insurers, and oversees insured claims and corporate reserves.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong analytical capability, executive presence, and the ability to collaborate effectively across Finance, Legal, Operations, and business leadership. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in global property and casualty insurance, alternative risk financing, contractual risk transfer, and claims management, and has experience operating within a Fortune 500, publicly traded environment.
This position will be based in our Charlotte, NC office and expected to be onsite 3x per week.
Key Responsibilities
Corporate Insurance & Risk Financing
- Own and manage the company’s global insurance portfolio, including property, casualty, liability, workers’ compensation, environmental, cyber, D&O, and specialty coverages
- Lead insurance strategy, program design, renewals, and placement with brokers and carriers
- Evaluate risk retention, deductible, and captive structures to optimize total cost of risk
- Develop insurance guidelines and standards to ensure consistent application across global operations
- Evaluate utilization of captive insurance and analyze feasibility of alternative risk transfer mechanisms (e.g., parametric coverage, structured programs).
Risk Policy, Governance & Compliance
- Establish and maintain global risk management policies, procedures, and controls
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual, and insurance requirements across jurisdictions
- Partner with Legal on litigation risk, contractual risk transfer, and indemnification provisions
- Lead internal education and awareness initiatives on risk management best practices
Claims Oversight
- Establish governance and oversight for claims.
- Monitor claims trends, loss development, and reserving practices.
- Partner with Legal and Operations to mitigate loss exposure and improve recovery.
Broker & Carrier Management
- Lead broker selection and performance management.
- Maintain executive-level relationships with global insurance carriers.
- Conduct market benchmarking and coverage analysis.
Financial & Regulatory Oversight
- Manage insurance budgets, allocations, and cost recovery mechanisms.
- Oversee actuarial analyses and collateral requirements.
- Ensure compliance with public company disclosure requirements and coordinate with Internal Audit.
Cross‑Functional Leadership
- Act as a trusted advisor to operations, engineering, EHS, supply chain, and commercial teams
- Collaborate with Treasury on risk financing, cash flow impacts, and capital structure considerations
- Provide insurance and contractual risk transfer guidance for M&A transactions, joint ventures, and major capital projects.
- Manage relationships with brokers, insurers, consultants, and third‑party administrators
- Lead and develop the risk management team; set goals, priorities, and performance expectations
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Risk Management, Business, Engineering, or related field
- 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate risk management and insurance
- Demonstrated experience managing global insurance programs for a large, complex industrial organization
- Strong knowledge of property, casualty, liability, and operational risk exposures
- Proven ability to influence senior leadership and operate effectively in a matrixed environment
Preferred
- Advanced degree (MBA or equivalent)
- Professional certifications such as ARM, CPCU, RIMS‑CRMP, or similar
- Experience with captives, self‑insurance structures, or alternative risk transfer
- Prior exposure to manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, or engineered products sectors
Key Competencies
- Strategic and analytical thinking
- Strong negotiation and financial acumen
- Executive‑level communication and presentation skills
- Sound judgment and decision‑making under uncertainty
- Leadership, collaboration, and stakeholder management
What Success Looks Like
- Optimized total cost of risk aligned with the company’s risk appetite
- Strong, consistent global risk and insurance governance
- High‑quality risk insights informing strategic decisions
- Effective mitigation of operational and financial volatility
Why Xylem?
We believe in supporting our employees both professionally and personally. Our benefits include:
· Paid parental leave, maternity support, and fertility benefits
· Flexibility and hybrid work options where applicable
· Health, dental, and vision insurance from day one
· Emotional health and wellness programs and Volunteer program (Watermark)
· Paid time off (PTO)/Flexible time off (FTO) and paid holidays
· Career development, advancement, tuition reimbursement, and student loan forgiveness
· Generous retirement savings plan with company contribution
· Employee recognition and discount programs
Ready to grow your career while making a difference? Join a team that values your skills, supports your development, and empowers you to help solve global water challenges.
The estimated salary range for this position is $150,000 to $190,000 plus bonus. Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range. At Xylem we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave and tuition reimbursement.
Xylem will not provide sponsorship for this role.
#LI-RR1
Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment.
Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation
Top Skills
What We Do
Xylem |ˈzīləm| 1) The tissue in plants that brings water upward from the roots; 2) a leading global water technology company. Xylem, a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, is the leading global provider of efficient, innovative and sustainable water technologies improving the way water is used, managed, conserved and re-used. Our international team is unified in a common purpose: creating advanced technology and other trusted solutions to solve the world’s water challenges. We are committed to creating an organization of inclusion and diversity, where everyone feels involved, respected, valued and connected, and where everyone is free to bring their authentic selves and ideas. If you are excited and passionate about helping us #letssolvewater, we want to hear from you!
