THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RISK MANAGMENT AGENCY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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1 THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RISK MANAGMENT AGENCY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Voorhees Associates, LLC is pleased to announce the recruitment and selection process for the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency s (IRMA) next Executive Director. IRMA enjoys an outstanding reputation in the government risk pooling insurance industry as a result of adhering to a vision of a proactive partnership with its members, sound management and fiscal policies, and stability in agency leadership. The current Director is retiring after 12 years of service to the organization. This brochure provides background information on the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency (IRMA) and the qualifications and experiences IRMA is seeking in the next Executive Director. Candidates interested in applying for the position should submit their résumé and cover letter along with contact information for five work-related references by December 31, 2013 to Additional information about IRMA can be found on the Organization s website: Heidi J. Voorhees, President 500 Lake Cook Road, Suite 350 Deerfield, Illinois TEL: FAX: Formal applications should be submitted to:

2 PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT Westchester, IL Highly respected intergovernmental agency consisting of 70 Northeastern Illinois public entities seeks an experienced risk pool insurance executive to lead premier agency. The current Executive Director is retiring after 12 years of service. IRMA was founded in 1979 and provides high-quality risk management services to Illinois municipalities. These services include customized public entity coverage that is considered one of the most comprehensive programs available anywhere; long-term stability in pricing and membership; flexible deductibles; exceptional in-house claims department; litigation team of proven trial attorneys; and extensive consulting services including a comprehensive risk management evaluation, onsite inspections and training and expansive regional training. IRMA employs 17 full-time and 3 part-time employees and has a $32 million budget, much of which is claims. The Executive Director reports to the IRMA Board of Directors and represents IRMA in the market, ensuring that IRMA s prospects and customers receive the highest appropriate level of service through each interaction with IRMA. The Executive Director also provides leadership and management over all functions and programs by managing IRMA staff. Candidates will be expected to have extensive experience in claims management, risk management, insurance administration or related field. Familiarity with public sector risk management is preferred. The position requires knowledge and skill equivalent to the completion of a master s degree in risk management, public administration, business administration or related field. Candidates must possess excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to think strategically, and effectively interact with members. Competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience, plus an excellent benefits package. IRMA participates in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Candidates should apply by December 31, 2013 with résumé, cover letter, and contact information for five professional references to Heidi Voorhees at Tel: Equal Opportunity Employer. IRMA ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND The Mission of IRMA is to provide reliable protection against human and financial loss through a self directed and proactive partnership, which delivers high quality risk management services that are professionally managed for the benefit of the MEMBERS at a cost that is competitively priced. IRMA was formed in 1979 as the first public entity risk pool in Illinois. IRMA was founded by northeastern Illinois public entities who wanted greater control over their insurance and risk management programs. IRMA is not an insurance company it is an intergovernmental agency which is owned and governed by its members. IRMA is selffunded through contributions of its members. IRMA provides services to prevent injuries to employees, residents/others and damage to property. If injuries or property damage resulting from an accident does occur, then IRMA provides its members, their employees and public officials with protection in the form of insurance coverages. IRMA provides coverage for the following: Workers Compensation General Liability Auto Liability Public Officials Liability Crime/Faithful Performance First Party Property

3 IRMA s main objective is to assist members in preventing accidents and losses from occurring. IRMA provides a variety of services to improve members safety and risk management programs. Some of these services include: Loss analysis to identify patterns or trends Training seminars and workshops On-line training courses NAPD/IAPD Driver Training Risk Management/Safety/Advisory Services Model Policies Comprehensive Video Training Library Steering Committee System (Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parks & Recreation) with special training In-house Claims Administration Litigation Management IRMA MEMBERSHIP AND BENEFITS There are currently 70 public entities in northeastern Illinois that are IRMA members. Each IRMA member appoints a Delegate and Alternate to the IRMA Board of Directors. Each member also appoints a safety and claims coordinator. IRMA Governance includes a ten-member Executive Board and the following committees: Administration and Finance; Claims, Coverage and Litigation; Membership Relations; and Training and Education. The full 70-member Board meets quarterly as does the Executive Board and the committees. Each IRMA staff Director is assigned as a liaison to a committee. The Executive Director attends all meetings, including the committee meetings. Due to the full spectrum of services provided by IRMA to manage members risk and prevent loss, members claims frequency has been reduced during the last five years. Surplus revenue is returned to members. Since 1989, the pool has given back over $82 million in interest income credits to members. Administrative costs are 9%-11% compared to an estimated 25% or more for commercial providers. IRMA s pricing averages more than 30% less than the commercial market according to Towers and Perrin Insurance Market Study. Finally, members have access to grants, awards, and valuable on line services such as Police Law Institute courses and supervisor training through My Community Workplace. Notable Accomplishments in 2012 Include: Total claim frequency decreased over 18% from The 2012 total frequency represents a 40% reduction since Total undeveloped claim experience decreased by over 13% in 2012 and is over 24% lower than Total Experience remains at historically low levels. Subrogation recovery increased to over $1.6 million for Achieved an IRMA overall contribution rate reduction of 4%, resulting in a 10.6% rate reduction over the past two years. Total commercial excess/reinsurance premium increased by just 1% for 2013 vs. 2.5% for 2012 including increases in member exposures. IRMA Level II Accreditation was created and implemented to offer an accreditation program based on both IMPA compliance and outstanding claims to IRMA target performance.

4 IRMA ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS In February 2012, the Executive Board, committee vice-chairs and senior staff met for an organizational planning workshop to develop long-range goals for the organization. The meeting focused on two specific topics: underwriting and policy implications of changing member exposures and operations and service policy implications of changing member needs. The result of the workshop was to investigate underwriting methodologies for members who join together to provide major functions, members who outsource major functions to non-irma members and members who want to permanently select a $250,000 deductible. IRMA will also consider additional group purchases of services related to insurance and risk management. IRMA ORGANIZATION IRMA has 17 full-time employees and three part-time employees. The $32 million budget is primarily the loss fund (83% of the budget in 2013). The Agency s total personnel budget is $2.1 million and the investment portfolio is $130 million. The Agency consistently receives the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. IRMA has enjoyed stability in the Agency s leadership. There have been two long-term Executive Directors since the Agency s inception in The current Executive Director is retiring after a distinguished career in risk management, the most recent 12 years as IRMA s Executive Director. In 2013, the Director of Financial Services and Administration retired after 25 years with IRMA. A new Director was appointed in July Other staff directors also have long tenure with the agency. KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES A recent change in State of Illinois legislation reduces insurance pools one year notice to leave to 120 days. While IRMA has extremely competitive rates and excellent training programs and other benefits, the agency will need to continue to market its program to ensure that members understand the long-term benefits IRMA provides. IRMA s success is tied to its adherence to the agency s mission as well as to a fiscally conservative approach while still providing excellent service to its members. It is expected this balance will continue in the future. IRMA s stability in its senior staff has greatly benefitted the agency. The retention of talented staff and the need to engage in succession planning will be a key responsibility for the next Executive Director. The current Executive Director has strong negotiating skills that are critical in settling a few major claims each year. IRMA has an excellent claims division that expertly handles the vast majority of claims; the next Executive Director must have well-developed negotiating skills in this arena or a plan for addressing this important staff function.

5 CANDIDATE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA IRMA is seeking candidates with high integrity, experience in the insurance industry, (preferably in government risk pooling) and a commitment to teamwork and customer service to serve as the organization s next Executive Director. IRMA provides a competitive salary and benefits plan and participates in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Please contact Heidi Voorhees at Voorhees Associates (HVoorhees@VAResume.com) for additional information on the compensation for the Executive Director position. Education and Experience (Not in order of importance) Candidates must possess the knowledge and skills equivalent to the completion of a master s degree in risk management, public administration, business administration or related field. Candidates must have extensive experience in risk management, insurance administration or a related field. Familiarity with and experience in public sector risk management is highly desired. Candidates must possess a strong financial acumen with an appropriate tolerance for risk, and the ability to maintain the agency s conservative fiscal approach while providing valuable service to its members. Candidates should have strong experience in the resolution of major claims. Experience with and active participation in settlement conferences is highly desirable. Candidates must be current on the issues facing the risk pool industry with the ability to provide leadership and guidance on emerging issues and challenges. Candidates must possess well-developed interpersonal skills with a genuine desire to meet with members, discuss IRMA s programs and services, and actively participate in the marketing of IRMA s excellence in the industry. Candidates must have board relations experience, with the ability to effectively communicate with a large Board of Directors and the committees; candidates must understand the nuances of board relations, such as what issues to communicate to the Board and how to do so in an informative manner, providing well-developed recommendations when appropriate. Candidates must have experience with explaining complex insurance industry issues to lay persons, particularly during the settlement of complicated and financially significant claims. Candidates must have a record of fostering teamwork in the workplace, with an approachable management style that encourages creativity and innovation. Candidates must have a record of effective leadership of professional staff members that is fair, impartial, and collegial. Candidates must have a passion for strategic planning as well as succession planning, with the ability to see the agency s future challenges and plan accordingly; candidates must also know when to raise emerging issues with the Executive Board. Candidates should have an appreciation for information technology and the role it plays in the administration of IRMA s internal organization, and its programs and services; be committed to utilizing technology to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Candidates must have strong decisionmaking skills with the ability to analyze the issues, and provide the Board with recommendations that reflect the Agency s goals and values.

6 Management Style (Not in order of importance) Have complete personal and professional integrity, inspiring the confidence of IRMA members and potential members. Be completely comfortable with the mission and core values of IRMA and foster the continued partnership with members. Be able to think strategically and establish priorities, discerning what is important and critical and what can be delegated or addressed at a later time. Be easily accessible and approachable as the organization s leader; be knowledgeable on the organization s fiscal status and emerging issues. Have the maturity and self-confidence to firmly and diplomatically present professional views, concerns, and implications of proposed policy actions that may be under consideration, while also being committed to carrying out final decisions in a timely, professional, and impartial manner. Be an articulate and effective communicator, both orally and in writing with the ability to make presentations to committees and the Board of Directors. Be a self starter with the ability to function independently and with little supervision. Have a team management orientation and the ability to work with the membership, professional staff, and employees throughout the organization in an effective, harmonious manner. Have an open, friendly personality and management style and be one who can establish trust quickly with others. Maintain a calm demeanor during times of stress, providing thoughtful guidance to employees, and members. Regularly demonstrate good listening skills and a willingness to work out organizational challenges in a collegial, respectful manner.

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