Director of Risk Management

An acute-care healthcare organization in Las Cruces, New Mexico is seeking an experienced Director of Risk Management to lead its risk management program and support affiliated outpatient clinics. This is a newly created senior leadership position reporting to the Chief Nursing Officer.

The Director will oversee initiatives focused on identifying, reducing, and mitigating organizational and clinical risk. This leader will partner with executives, providers, clinical teams, and operational staff to address risk concerns, implement sustainable corrective actions, and promote effective incident reporting and risk-management practices.

The position also serves as the organization's Compliance and Ethics Officer.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the organization's comprehensive risk management program, including support for affiliated clinics.
• Identify clinical and operational risks and develop strategies to prevent, reduce, and mitigate exposure.
• Collaborate with leadership, providers, nursing teams, and stakeholders to develop and implement corrective action plans.
• Coordinate activities related to potential and active litigation, including investigations, interviews, depositions, legal holds, records collection, and legal counsel requests.
• Educate leaders, providers, and staff on risk management policies, incident reporting, and risk-reduction practices.
• Provide guidance regarding informed consent, clinical documentation standards, disclosure practices, and professional liability exposure.
• Oversee professional liability, general liability, property insurance, and related claims-management matters.
• Monitor risk trends and recommend improvements designed to strengthen patient safety and organizational practices.
• Support compliance and ethics initiatives across the organization.
• Maintain effective communication with senior leadership regarding significant risk, compliance, and liability matters.

Requirements

• Active New Mexico RN license or qualifying multistate RN license.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited nursing school.
• Minimum of 5 years of nursing experience.
• At least 3 years of Director or Manager-level leadership experience.
• Previous professional experience in healthcare risk management.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) certification must be obtained within 3 years of employment if not already held.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPHRM certification at the time of hire.
• Previous acute-care healthcare risk management experience; substantial relevant experience may substitute for the stated leadership experience.
• Experience within a for-profit hospital environment is strongly preferred.
• Previous Director-level leadership experience is preferred.

Key Skills

• Healthcare risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
• Clinical and operational leadership.
• Litigation and claims-management coordination.
• Regulatory compliance and healthcare ethics.
• Incident investigation and corrective action planning.
• Staff education and stakeholder communication.
• Professional liability and patient-safety knowledge.

Work Environment and Schedule

• In-person leadership position based in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
• Travel is not required.
• The role reports directly to the Chief Nursing Officer.

Benefits

• Partial relocation assistance.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible spending and health savings account options.
• Paid time off and extended illness benefits for eligible full-time employees.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Critical injury coverage.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Identity theft protection.
• Tuition reimbursement and loan assistance.
• 401(k) matching.
• Employee assistance and wellness resources.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.

Compensation and Details

• Salary to be discussed.
• Bonus up to $10,000.
• No visa sponsorship available.

Why This Location?

Las Cruces offers a Southwestern lifestyle with convenient access to hiking, mountain scenery, and year-round outdoor recreation. The area features a distinctive local dining scene, cultural attractions, arts and entertainment, and proximity to destinations such as the Organ Mountains and White Sands National Park.