Director of Data & AI

Harnham; New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Harnham partners with a global specialty insurer in New Jersey to recruit a hands-on leader for its North America underwriting business. The role centers on improving underwriting performance through data, analytics and AI, with a strong business-facing focus and board-level priority for data-driven decision making.

Expect to collaborate with underwriting leaders across North America, drive AI-enabled transformation, and build a small, high-performing analytics team to shape the future of

Qualifications

• Experience in commercial or specialty insurance underwriting
• Evidence of analytics, data science or AI value delivery
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate at executive level

Responsibilities

• Partner with underwriting leaders across North America
• Turn business challenges into analytics and AI solutions
• Lead AI-enabled underwriting transformation initiatives
• Work closely with Data Science, Engineering and Product teams
• Drive adoption of data-led decision making across the business
• Lead and develop a small, high-performing analytics team

Skills

Underwriting analytics

AI strategy

Stakeholder influence

Job description

New Jersey / Hybrid | Up to $200k + Bonus

A global specialty insurer is looking for a hands‑on leader to sit at the heart of its North America underwriting business and help drive its AI and analytics strategy.

This is a business-facing role, focused on improving underwriting performance, portfolio management and decision-making through data, analytics and AI.

What you'll be doing:

• Partnering directly with underwriting leaders across North America
• Turning business challenges into analytics and AI solutions
• Leading AI-enabled underwriting transformation initiatives
• Working closely with Data Science, Engineering and Product teams
• Driving adoption of data‑led decision making across the business
• Leading and developing a small, high‑performing analytics team

What we're looking for:

• Strong commercial or specialty insurance experience
• Deep understanding of underwriting processes and decision-making
• Experience delivering value through analytics, data science or AI
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate at executive level
• Experience leading teams and driving change across complex organisations

Why consider it:

• Newly created role with significant visibility
• Data & AI are a board‑level priority
• Opportunity to shape the future of AI in underwriting
• Blend of strategy, delivery and stakeholder leadership
• Direct impact on underwriting outcomes and business performance

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who understands insurance first and technology second, and wants to play a key role in modernising how underwriting decisions are made.