At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead catastrophe risk management and optimise insurance portfolios for strategic growth.
- Company: Join a leading Lloyd's market insurer with a dynamic and entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and influence over key business decisions.
- Other info: Excellent opportunity for career advancement in a central role within the organisation.
- Why this job: Shape underwriting strategy and drive portfolio optimisation in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in catastrophe risk, strong analytical skills, and stakeholder management expertise.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Selby Jennings are working with a leading Lloyd's market insurer to secure a Head of Catastrophe Risk into a senior strategic role within their exposure management and portfolio analytics function. This is a highly visible position sitting at the intersection of underwriting, portfolio optimisation, and reinsurance strategy, with broad exposure across property and specialty lines. The role offers significant influence over capital deployment, risk appetite, and portfolio performance, partnering closely with underwriting leadership and senior stakeholders across the business. Rather than being a purely technical catastrophe modelling role, this opportunity combines deep analytical expertise with commercial decision-making and strategic portfolio management. For the right individual, this represents an opportunity to play a key role in shaping underwriting strategy and driving portfolio optimisation within a fast-growing and entrepreneurial environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual looking to step into a broader, business-facing leadership role within a platform where catastrophe risk and portfolio management are central to underwriting strategy and long‑term growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead portfolio modelling and aggregation across property and specialty insurance and reinsurance lines
- Partner with underwriting teams to optimise portfolio composition, capital deployment, and risk appetite
- Integrate catastrophe model outputs into pricing, portfolio management, and strategic decision-making
- Support the design and optimisation of outwards reinsurance structures and purchasing strategies
- Deliver portfolio analytics and business planning insights to senior management and external stakeholders
- Develop tools, automation, and reporting frameworks to enhance underwriting and portfolio management capabilities
- Collaborate with claims, risk, actuarial, and exposure management teams to improve portfolio performance and recovery outcomes
- Conduct competitor benchmarking and market analysis to support strategic positioning
- Ensure portfolio reporting and analytical frameworks meet internal governance and regulatory standards
Role Requirements
- Significant experience within catastrophe risk, exposure management, actuarial pricing, or portfolio management in the London Market or reinsurance sector
- Strong understanding of catastrophe modelling and portfolio optimisation methodologies
- Experience supporting outwards reinsurance strategy, structuring, or pricing
- Ability to translate complex technical analysis into clear commercial recommendations
- Strong stakeholder management skills with experience engaging underwriting and executive leadership teams
- Advanced Excel skills, with SQL, Python, or R advantageous
- Track record of driving process improvement, automation, or analytical innovation
- Commercial mindset combined with strong technical capability and strategic thinking
Head of Catastrophe Risk - Selby Jennings in London employer: Jobs via eFinancialCareers
Selby Jennings is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment where the Head of Catastrophe Risk will have a significant impact on underwriting strategy and portfolio optimisation. With a strong focus on employee growth, collaboration, and innovation, the company fosters a culture that values analytical expertise and commercial acumen, providing ample opportunities for professional development and strategic influence within the Lloyd's market. Located in the heart of London, employees benefit from a vibrant city atmosphere, networking opportunities, and access to industry-leading resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Catastrophe Risk - Selby Jennings in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your analytical expertise and strategic thinking. We want to see how you can translate complex data into actionable insights that drive portfolio optimisation. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework before the interview! Understand the company’s position in the market and their approach to catastrophe risk. We recommend preparing some thoughtful questions that show you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their underwriting strategy.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Catastrophe Risk - Selby Jennings in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Catastrophe Risk. Highlight your experience in catastrophe risk, exposure management, and portfolio optimisation. We want to see how your skills align with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this strategic role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced capital deployment and risk appetite in previous positions. Let us see your passion for the industry!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role combines deep analytical expertise with commercial decision-making, make sure to highlight your experience with data analysis and modelling. Mention any tools or programming languages you’re proficient in, like Excel, SQL, Python, or R, to show us you’ve got the technical chops.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobs via eFinancialCareers
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of catastrophe risk and portfolio management. Understand the latest trends in the London Market and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the role's requirements. This isn't just about technical skills; it's about showing you can translate that expertise into strategic insights.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves significant stakeholder engagement, prepare examples that highlight your leadership and collaboration abilities. Think about times when you've successfully partnered with underwriting teams or influenced senior management decisions. Be ready to demonstrate how you can drive portfolio optimisation and capital deployment.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that dive deep into catastrophe modelling and portfolio analytics. Brush up on your advanced Excel skills and any programming languages you know, like SQL or Python. Being able to discuss how you've used these tools to enhance decision-making will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions that show your interest in the company's strategy and future direction. Inquire about their current challenges in portfolio management or how they see the role evolving. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also your strategic mindset.
