Risk Management and Legal Operations Associate

About

Blade is a rapidly growing global air mobility platform utilizing a technology-powered, asset light model with unrivaled brand recognition. Blade is publicly listed (Nasdaq: BLDE) and is focused on efforts to assist the aviation industry in order to accelerate its transition from conventional aircraft to quieter, cleaner Electric Vertical Aircraft (“EVA”), expand new air mobility routes, grow our network of captive passenger infrastructure, and continue to develop our consumer-to-cockpit technology stack. As the largest operator in the US of "organ donor transfer" flights, we see good in what we do at Blade every day. We put the same level of detailed focus and commitment into every flight, whether it's transporting a life-saving organ or commuters traveling for business or leisure.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel and working closely with the Safety, Legal, and Operations teams, the Risk Management and Legal Operations Associate will support a wide array of global insurance portfolio, risk management and legal initiatives, including those of Blade’s affiliates and subsidiaries. This role involves handling the administration of various insurance policies, ensuring proper coverage for the company’s operations, coordinating risk management strategies with internal and external stakeholders and reviewing and processing various contracts from negotiation through execution and implementation. The candidate will work closely with brokers, underwriters, third-party vendors, third-party aircraft operators and various internal departments (e.g., legal, operations, marketing, human resources, accounting, finance, corporate development) to ensure that Blade's risk exposures are adequately covered and managed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Insurance Portfolio Management: Oversee Blade’s comprehensive insurance portfolio, including placements, claims handling, and policy administration for aviation, auto liability, cyber, directors & officers (D&O), general liability, medical professional liability, property, workers' compensation, and other lines of coverage.
• Insurance Renewal Strategy: Develop and implement cost-effective strategies for the annual renewal of insurance programs. This includes preparing and delivering presentations, organizing placement meetings, collaborating with brokers, underwriters and internal stakeholders to secure appropriate coverage and leading underwriter site visits to assess and communicate Blade's risk profile.
• Corporate Risk Management: Establishing and enforce risk management standards for third-party vendors and operators, ensuring they meet Blade’s safety and operational criteria.
• Certificate of Insurance (COI) Management: Maintain and track certificates of insurance for internal and external stakeholders. Ensure that Blade’s aircraft operators maintain up-to-date COIs, and provide COIs to customers and partners as needed.
• Insurance Contract Review: Review and negotiate contractual insurance provisions to ensure compliance with Blade’s standards and policies.
• Risk Mitigation: Assess and evaluate a broad range of risks that affect Blade’s operations, including operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational risks. This involves a detailed review of how these risks impact the transportation industry, identifying potential exposures, and evaluating the effectiveness of current risk management practices. Create and implement proactive and cost-effective strategies to minimize or eliminate potential risks across various business operations. Regularly update these strategies based on changing business needs and industry trends.
• Claims Analysis: Investigate and analyze insurance claims, including those related to accidents, property damage, liability, and worker injuries. Assess the financial and operational impact of these claims and work with insurers and internal teams to manage the claims process effectively.
• Data Collection and Reporting: Gather and analyze relevant data to prepare risk management reports for senior management. Highlight key risks, mitigation strategies, and any trends in risk exposure. Use this data to inform future insurance placements and risk management efforts.
• Incident Investigation: Assist in the investigation of any accidents or incidents, identifying root causes and working with the relevant teams to recommend corrective actions. Ensure that lessons learned are integrated into future risk mitigation strategies.
• Safety Program Support: Collaborate with safety teams to support the development and enforcement of safety policies and programs. This involves reducing workplace accidents and injuries through proactive safety measures and ongoing monitoring.

Qualifications:

• 2+ years of insurance-related experience, bachelor’s degree in Risk Management, Insurance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Must be a strategic and independent thinker, proactive, intellectually curious, poised, reliable, flexible, thorough, detail-oriented, organized and professional.
• Must be a self-starter with a high degree of resourcefulness and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be naturally inclined to take initiative and identify and solve problems without direct instruction.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic and highly regulated environment.
• Experience in insurance portfolio management, claims handling, and corporate risk strategy, ideally within the aviation or transportation industries.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, with attention to detail in managing multiple policies and contracts.
• Ability to build relationships with brokers, underwriters, and internal stakeholders.
• Experience with COI management, contract review, and regulatory compliance preferred.

Compensation:

• Base salary: $80,000 – $100,000, depending on qualifications and experience
• Eligible for initial and annual grants of restricted stock units (RSUs) based on qualifications, experience and performance

Blade is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, in our job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or accommodation in completing your application, due to a disability, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Please put “Reasonable Accommodation" in the subject line.

Blade is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or another protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strive to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal. We believe that this commitment inspires growth and delivers equitable outcomes for everyone including the clients and communities we serve.