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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 (re)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 43200 - 72000 £ 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 will 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 in London 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 in London
✨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 Canopius and understanding their risk frameworks. We want to see you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in areas like ORSA and model governance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and influenced strategic decisions in the past. We love candidates who can demonstrate their ability to shape risk culture and governance standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who fit our culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Insurance and Underwriting Risk in London
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 developed teams and influenced strategic decisions in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and achievements. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly 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!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canopius Group
✨Know Your Risk Frameworks
Make sure you’re well-versed in risk frameworks relevant to the insurance industry. Brush up on your knowledge of underwriting, reserving, and capital modelling. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you understand the core responsibilities of the role.
✨Prepare for ORSA Discussions
Since this role involves leading the Own Risk & Solvency Assessment (ORSA) process, be ready to discuss your experience with it. Think about how you've engaged stakeholders in the past and be prepared to share examples of how you've driven board-ready outputs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This position requires strong team leadership capabilities. Prepare to talk about your experience managing cross-functional teams and how you've developed skills in model challenge and validation. Highlight specific instances where you’ve influenced strategic decisions or shaped a risk culture.
✨Communicate Complex Ideas Clearly
You’ll need to present complex financial and risk topics to senior stakeholders. Practice explaining intricate concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and ensure that your audience understands the key points.
