Senior Underwriter/Data Scientist - London

ABOUT DESCARTES UNDERWRITING

Join Descartes and contribute to our mission: Building Resilience in a World at Risk.

Descartes is a corporate insurance group for worldwide companies and institutions. Descartes was born from a conviction that the growing complexity of corporate and climate risks demands a new approach to insurance. At the forefront of AI and Data analysis, Descartes utilises cutting-edge technology combined with a new generation of data sources, to model, assess and manage risks.

Since 2019, Descartes has secured a leading position in parametric (re)insurance combining scientific & technological expertise with a new approach. Parametric insurance, also known as index-based insurance, indemnifies clients within days based on pre-defined payout structures when a specific triggering event occurs, the payout process is both fast and transparent. The company has been financed with over $141M by investors including Highland Europe, BlackFin, Serena, Cathay, Eurazeo and Battery Ventures.

Our highly diverse and specialized team of 250+ people includes the largest modelling team in the industry featuring tech and modeling innovators, scientists in physics and climatology, as well as insurance veterans and underwriters. With a global footprint and strong US presence, Descartes serves a diverse portfolio of clients in more than 60 countries, with 20+ offices spread across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin and North America.

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ABOUT YOUR ROLE

Descartes Underwriting is seeking a Senior Underwriter/Data Scientist (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.

At Descartes Underwriting, we cherish value of diversity whatever it may be. We are committed to fighting against all forms of discrimination and for equal opportunities. We foster an inclusive work environment that respects all differences.

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

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

• Step 1: HR Interview with our Talent Recruiter

• Step 2: In person or remote manager interview

• Step 3: Technical online test on Github

• Step 4: Remote or in person technical interview

• Step 5: In person team interview to meet our team and discover our offices