Senior Underwriter - London

Descartes Underwriting; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A parametric insurance company in London is seeking a Senior Underwriter to develop climate risk models for parametric policies. Key responsibilities include underwriting new business, enhancing pricing models, and engaging with brokers. A degree in a related field and 4+ years of relevant experience are required, alongside strong skills in Python and statistics. The role offers opportunities for professional development in a diverse environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus opportunities

Commitment to learning and development

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of experience in data science or related field.
• Experience in leading a team and managing projects is a plus.
• Prior experience in structuring and underwriting parametric insurance covers is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with brokers to understand client needs and underwrite new business.
• Conduct analyses for product design and improve pricing models.
• Lead discussions with brokers and internal teams.

Skills

Proficiency in Python

Strong background in statistics and mathematics

Fluency in English

Good level of one additional language

Education

Degree in mathematics, statistics, data science, physics or related

Job description

Senior Underwriter - London

ABOUT DESCARTES UNDERWRITING

Descartes Underwriting offers a new generation of parametric insurance against climate, cyber and other emerging risks. Utilizing state-of-the-art risk modelling techniques and advanced technology, we collaborate with brokers around the world to protect corporate and public sector clients against natural catastrophes and weather risks.

Location: London | Remote status: Temporarily Remote

YOUR ROLE

Descartes Underwriting is seeking a Senior Underwriter (Parametric Insurance) to join the Underwriting Team based in London. Reporting to the Underwriting Manager & Director of Descartes UK, you will be a key contributor to the development and deployment of climate risk models for the pricing, underwriting and monitoring of weather-related parametric policies for corporates and public entities.

Your key missions will include:

• Collaborate with the business team and brokers to understand client needs and risk transfer challenges to successfully underwrite new business and renew accounts;
• Conduct thorough analyses for product design and coverage structuring in order to meet the needs and expectations of the clients;
• Improve and develop pricing models in order to model the risk, underwrite policies for corporates and public entities, and monitor the portfolio performance and accumulation;
• Contribute to insurance proposal and underwriting documentation in order to finalise policies for corporate clients and public entities worldwide;
• Operate in the London market, leading discussions and projects with brokers and partners;
• Collaborate with various divisions of Descartes in order to sustain the growth of the portfolio (e.g. R&D teams, Legal, Operations, Risk Management);
• Technical & Business Leadership: help both the underwriting strategy and the review of the work conducted by Underwriting Data Scientists, providing guidance on technical modeling matters & business requirements.

ABOUT YOU

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduated from a leading academic institution with a degree in mathematics, statistics, data science, physics or related;
• 4 years of significant experience minimum (post graduation) in data science or related;
• As a plus: track record of experience in leading a (small) team and managing business projects;
• As a plus: prior experience in structuring, pricing & underwriting parametric insurance covers for climate risks.

SKILLS

• Proficiency in Python (e.g. pandas, scikit-learn);
• Strong background in statistics and mathematics, showing clear understanding of probabilities;
• Eye for quality, autonomous and attention to detail;
• Fluency in English (written and verbal communication) is required;
• Good level of one additional language (e.g. Chinese, French, Italian, German, Spanish...) is a plus.

MINDSET

• Interested in insurance industry and climate risks modeling;
• Strong team spirit;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Eagerness to solve complex problems and technical challenges;
• Rigorous, creative and meticulous mind;
• Strong desire to learn and acquire responsibility;
• Results oriented with the ability to work in a fast-paced and multi-cultural environment.

WHY JOIN DESCARTES UNDERWRITING?

• Opportunity to work and learn with teams from the most prestigious schools and research labs in the world, allowing you to progress towards technical excellence;
• Commitment from Descartes to its staff of continued learning and development (think annual seminars, training etc.);
• Work in a collaborative & professional environment;
• Be part of an international team, passionate about diversity;
• Join a company with a true purpose – help us help our clients be more resilient towards climate risks;
• A competitive salary, bonus and benefits.

With equal skills, all our positions are open to people with disabilities.

We cherish diversity and are committed to equal opportunities. We foster an inclusive work environment that respects all differences.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

• Step 1: Call and HR Interview with our Talent Recruiter
• Step 2: Manager interview
• Step 3: Technical online test
• Step 4: In person or remote manager interview
• Step 5: In person team interview to meet our team and discover our offices