Network Risk and Compliance Manager

Position description

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches for all people through a powerful activist network. The Surfrider Foundation has achieved many important victories by persuading state, federal, and local decision makers to protect vital coastal and ocean resources. These accomplishments demonstrate the important role of recreational users in advancing coastal and ocean stewardship.

By joining the Surfrider Foundation, you will be welcomed into an open and inclusive network of incredibly supportive and collaborative people who work hard and play hard. You will have the opportunity to work with dedicated people who are also passionate coastal users with their feet in the sand and toes in the water. You help bring together diverse voices and perspectives to provide our community with the leadership and tools necessary to make a difference at their beach and in coastal communities across the United States. At Surfrider, we build leaders, and we are problem solvers; our culture sets us apart and influences everything we do. Coastal recreation is fun and working at Surfrider is too.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Network Risk & Compliance Manager plays a vital role in strengthening Surfrider Foundation’s nationwide chapter and club network by ensuring safe, compliant, and well-supported operations. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Network Strategy, this position improves organizational effectiveness through streamlined systems, risk management oversight, and guidance for regional staff and volunteer leaders.

This role oversees the insurance, compliance, and event approval framework that protects the organization and its volunteers while empowering chapters to confidently and effectively deliver Surfrider’s mission at the local level. The Network Risk & Compliance Manager provides expert guidance on permits, policies, contracts, and incident protocols; manages insurance policies and claims; and leads annual training across regional chapter and club conferences. By developing systems, resources, and best practices, this position ensures Surfrider’s programs and events operate safely and consistently, in alignment with legal, regulatory, and organizational standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Events, Compliance, and Insurance

• Train staff and volunteers on compliance-related policies and procedures to ensure understanding and adherence, which includes presenting at regional chapter and club network conferences annually selected by the Sr. Director of Network Strategy.
• Manage the Event Approval Process and Policy, enforce all procedures relating to chapter and club network insurance and Surfrider Foundation Headquarters partnerships and events, including but not limited to; issuing certificates of insurance (COI), policy endorsements, additional-insured endorsements, waivers of subrogation, workers compensation certificates
• Assess and address potential risks associated with programs, events and network activities
• Act as a resource to staff, leadership and volunteers on compliance issues, offering guidance and support as needed
• Guide chapters and clubs through the process of properly obtaining necessary event permits and/or licenses, ensuring compliance and directing as needed, researching state and local requirements
• Guide and process the completion of special event insurance applications, obtain coverage for new chapter office locations, both domestic and international
• Oversee approvals/denials of all ABC/liquor permitting activities
• Guide chapters and clubs through risk mitigation procedures as it pertains to their activities, including event-specific best practices
• Ensure that proper contracts, insurance and/or minimum donation agreements are in-place for network events that include collaboration with other vendors
• Process all insurance requirements for grants, permits, ROE and projects, ensuring limits are aligned with our policy
• Work with regional and chapter managers to ensure event procedures are properly applied, mitigate risk and ensure that contracts are created, signed, and filed with HQ records. Ensure that volunteer waivers are being utilized, signed and processed
• Collaborate with the Chief Operating Officer for permission to sign event contracts, beneficiary agreements, waivers of subrogation and indemnification, as needed.
• Guide regional staff, chapter staff and volunteer executive committees through the incident reporting process (third-party injuries and/or property damage); collaborating with Surfrider’s insurance broker to determine carrier reporting requirements and timelines.
• Assist in reviewing volunteer complaints or requests for removal; reviewing violations of organizational policies and standards of conduct; overseeing the investigation process in collaboration with Regional Directors and/or the Sr. Director of Network Strategy
• Oversee and manage insurance claims in collaboration with Surfrider’s insurance broker and the Chief Operating Officer
• Oversee and manage Surfrider’s annual insurance policy renewals and research additional policies to protect the organization from new and/or potential exposures, such policies include but are not limited to; Foreign Package, D&O/EPLI, Fiduciary, Cyber Liability, Auto/Crime, Umbrella, Participant Accident, Abuse & Molestation, E&O, and UAS Drone Liability
• Maintain current and historical records of insurance policies and claims
• Facilitate and oversee the process for volunteer background checks, ensuring FCRA compliance and information is updated in Salesforce CRM.
• Miscellaneous projects and duties as needed to support Network Department priorities, particularly as they relate to compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible, supervisory professional experience either in insurance, operations, human resources, or a related field.
• Experience working directly within risk assessment and insurance processing is extremely helpful, but not required.
• Proactive approach with exceptional problem-solving skills
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills – as this position collaborates daily in the support and guidance of a national network of volunteer activists
• Strong analytical skills, an eye for detail and accuracy
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, employ effective time management and organizational techniques, apply creative and analytical thinking, handle sensitive situations with confidentiality, tact and diplomacy
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with many teams
• Demonstrate a strong orientation toward customer service, be a team player and maintain an approachable and positive attitude in the midst of seasons of heavier volume (summer months and during insurance policy renewals).
• Location Requirements: While this position is remote or hybrid remote, applicants must be located within the continental United States or Hawaii. We are unable to consider candidates based in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or other U.S. territories for this role at this time.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Category Level: Risk and Compliance Manager

Salary Range: $70,500 Minimum – $90,000 Maximum

How Does the Surfrider Foundation Establish Salary Ranges?

The Surfrider Foundation researches, evaluates, and compares like-sized non-profit organizations to establish ranges for each position level to ensure that employees are justly compensated. The established range takes multiple factors into account; experience, educational background, scope and complexity of work, special skills, added value to the organization, geographic cost-of-living, inflation/current market demand, equity, and more. The Surfrider Foundation prides itself on a high rate of retention, with 32% of staff having been employed with the organization for 10+ years. Please keep in mind that the maximum end of our ranges also account for longevity and tenure within the role.

BENEFITS:

Health: Medical, dental and vision benefit premiums are paid 100% by Surfrider Foundation for employee-only coverage. Dependents may be added on at an additional cost.

Retirement: 401(k) plan offering a match of .50¢ of every dollar contributed by the employee up to a maximum of 4% of earnings (in other terms, a 2% employer match).

Vacation Accrual: Enjoy a generous allotment of vacation days per year. Rollover unused days to the following year, subject to company maximum accrual policy.

Sick time Accrual: 12 sick days/year

Holidays: 20 paid holidays total in 2026

Happy Healthy Summer Fridays: We provide several half Fridays to get outside and enjoy an early start to your weekend!

Parental Leave: Surfrider provides 6 weeks of paid parental leave following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.

Other Benefits: Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Employee Assistance program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), or Health Savings Account (HSA).

Application instructions

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