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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead risk oversight and governance in a dynamic global insurance environment.
- Company: Join Canopius, a leading global specialty lines insurer with a positive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, health cover, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Why this job: Shape risk frameworks and influence strategic decisions in a fast-paced industry.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a numerical discipline; advanced qualifications preferred.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Canopius is seeking a dynamic risk leader to join our Group Risk team. This pivotal role will provide second-line oversight and challenge across underwriting risk, model governance, validation, ORSA, and risk appetite development. You’ll shape risk frameworks, influence strategic decisions, and ensure robust governance in a fast-paced, global insurance environment.
Responsibilities
- Risk Framework & Oversight: provide 2nd-line challenge of underwriting, reserving, pricing, capital modelling, reinsurance, and exposure; oversee development, validation, and governance of internal models (ICM, stochastic, catastrophe); articulate and monitor risk appetite and key metrics across the portfolio; conduct capital, stress & scenario testing and economic capital analysis.
- ORSA Leadership: lead Own Risk & Solvency Assessment (ORSA) process, driving insurer-wide engagement and board-ready output; build and publish ORSA risk opinions and deep dives, with trend analysis for senior committees.
- Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement: report key metrics, capital outcomes, model limitations, and exposures to Group, Board, and Risk Committees; provide risk expertise & challenge across divisions (underwriting, actuarial, finance, exposure, reinsurance); collaborate with Finance/Actuarial to align on assumptions and capital modelling.
- Team Leadership & Capability Development: lead a cross-functional team covering model risk, validation, underwriting risk, ORSA, and model governance; coach direct reports and build 2nd-line skills in model challenge, validation, and strategic risk thinking; shape risk culture and governance standards.
- Regulatory & Governance Compliance: ensure compliance with Solvency II/ORSA, CBEs, IST, and internal model standards; prepare for internal and external audits of assumptions, model validations, risk framework, and committees.
- Strategic Input & Change Leadership: influence strategic decisions inside Risk Committees and Group Leadership; analyse emerging risks and industry trends to refine risk appetite; support transformation initiatives related to pricing, reserving, model enhancements, or MGA delegations.
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in numerical / analytical discipline
- Advanced degrees or professional qualifications (FIAA, FIA, CERA, ACII, MBA) preferred
- Relevant certification/experience in model governance or validation programs
- Proven experience in 2nd-line risk, model governance, or validation in property/casualty, life or reinsurance
- Own Risk & Solvency Assessment leadership with stakeholder management capability
- Solid financial/actuarial background including capital modelling (internal and regulatory)
- Extensive risk experience, with developed management capabilities
- Experience in PRA-regulated organizations with knowledge of SMF, SOLVENCY II, COBS, CBEs
- Experience working with Lloyd's, MGAs, reinsurers is advantageous
- Advanced knowledge of capital models (e.g. Moses, RiskAgility) and statistical tools (R, Python, SQL)
- Strong financial analysis and data interpretation capability
- Skilled in presenting and challenging complex financial and risk topics to senior stakeholders
- Track record of managing and developing teams in multi-disciplinary environments
- Strong leadership presence with ability to influence Board-level executives
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
- Detail-oriented, proactive, and collaborative working style
Competencies
- Leading Change
- Leading Teams
- Stakeholder engagement
- Collaboration And Teamwork
- Adapting To Change
- Continuous Improvement
- Innovation
- Resilience
- Future Focused
Our Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that focuses on whole wellbeing, including hybrid working, a competitive base salary, non-contributory pension, discretionary bonus, health and dental cover, and other benefits to support financial, physical, social and psychological health.
About Canopius
Canopius is a global specialty lines (re)insurer and a leading Lloyd’s of London market insurer with offices in the UK, US, Singapore, Australia and Bermuda. We foster a positive culture that enables people to bring their whole selves to work and deliver profitable, sustainable results. We operate a hybrid working model and are committed to a work environment that recognizes and respects everyone's unique contributions. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds. We can provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process and employment as needed.
Head of Insurance and Underwriting Risk employer: Canopius Group
Contact Detail:
Canopius Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Insurance and Underwriting Risk
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your answers to reflect how your skills align with their needs. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We suggest mentioning something specific from your conversation to make it personal and memorable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Insurance and Underwriting Risk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in risk management and model governance. We want to see how your skills align with the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a cross-functional team, don’t forget to include examples of your leadership experience. We love to see how you've influenced teams and driven change in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to articulate your achievements and how they relate to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canopius Group
✨Know Your Risk Frameworks
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of risk frameworks and governance. Be ready to discuss how you would provide second-line oversight and challenge across underwriting risk, model governance, and capital modelling. This shows you understand the core responsibilities of the role.
✨Prepare for ORSA Discussions
Since leading the Own Risk & Solvency Assessment (ORSA) process is key, think about your past experiences in this area. Prepare examples of how you've driven engagement and produced board-ready outputs. Highlight your ability to analyse trends and present risk opinions effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Insurance and Underwriting Risk, you'll be leading a cross-functional team. Be prepared to share your leadership style and how you've developed teams in the past. Discuss specific instances where you've coached others in model challenge and strategic risk thinking.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement is crucial in this role. Think about how you've reported key metrics and collaborated with different divisions. Prepare to discuss how you would communicate complex financial and risk topics to senior stakeholders, ensuring clarity and understanding.
