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Descartes Underwriting
Descartes Underwriting

Lead Underwriter - Sydney

Join Descartes Underwriting, a leading parametric insurance provider focused on weather and climate-related risks. As the Lead Underwriter in Sydney, you will drive the underwriting strategy, contribute to the growth in Australia and New Zealand, and maintain excellent relations with risk carriers. You will need a strong background in data science, risk analysis, and advanced statistics, along with a passion for the insurance industry and emerging risks modeling.

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Job summary
Permanent contract
Sydney
No remote work
Salary: Not specified
Skills & expertise
Kong
Key missions

Actively contribute to the growth in Australia and New Zealand in partnership with the commercial team, driving the underwriting strategy and identifying growth areas.

Regularly attend meetings with clients and industry conferences, driving collaboration with the commercial team and ensuring compliance with technical standards.

Actively participate in the design of new technical tools to support the growth of the company, and closely monitor the performances of the portfolio.

Descartes Underwriting
Descartes Underwriting

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The position

Job description

ABOUT DESCARTES UNDERWRITING

Descartes was born out of the conviction that the ever-increasing complexity of risks faced by corporations, governments and vulnerable communities calls for a renewed approach in insurance. Our team brings together industry veterans from the most renowned institutions (AXA, SCOR, Swiss Re, Marsh, Aon, ...) and scientists on top of their field to bring underwriting excellence. After 6 years of existence, Descartes has secured a leading position in parametric insurance for weather and climate-related risks utilizing machine learning, real-time monitoring from satellite imagery & IoT. After a successful Series B raise of $120M USD, we launched Descartes Insurance, a 'full stack' insurer licensed to underwrite risk by the French regulator ACPR. With a growing corporate client base (400+ and counting), our diverse team is headquartered in Paris and operates out of our 18 global offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Descartes is trusted by a panel of A-rated (re)insurers to carry out its activities.

ABOUT YOUR ROLE

As the Lead Underwriter based in Sydney, you will be a key contributor to the global underwriting team. This is a full-time position.

Your key missions will include:

  • Actively contribute to the growth in Australia and New Zealand in partnership with the commercial team;
  • Drive the underwriting strategy by developing in-depth knowledge of the local insurance market along with Descartes’ technical capabilities to identify growth areas;
  • Regularly attend meetings with clients and industry conferences with commercial team, drive collaboration with the commercial team;
  • Ensure the compliance with the technical standards defined by the software engineering team;
  • Closely follow the portfolio performances;
  • Actively participate to the design of new technical tools to support the growth of the company;
  • Maintain excellent relations with Descartes Underwriting's risk carriers; 
  • Assist the development Descartes’ Australian branch by supporting the commercial team in the identification of new business;
  • Actively contribute to the pricing and structuring of parametric insurance solutions for Descartes clients and prospects;
  • Closely monitor the performances of the portfolio. 

    • ABOUT YOU

    EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

  • Graduated from a Business or Engineering school/academic institutions with a specialization in data science, computer science, applied mathematics, or related;
  • 5-9 years’ of significant experience minimum (post graduation) in data science, probability and catastrophy modelling, risk analysis, and advanced statistics;
  • Advanced knowledge of actuarial and pricing concepts used in the evaluation of risks;
  • Prior experience in structuring, pricing & underwriting (parametric) insurance covers for climate risks is a plus;
  • Knowledge of coverage forms and policy language;
  • Understanding of the insurance market, including the compliance framework.

    • SKILLS

  • Proficiency in statistics, probabilities, applied mathematics and machine learning methods;
  • Eye for quality, autonomous and attention to detail;
  • Fluency in English (written and verbal communication) is required;
  • Good command of one additional language (e.g. Chinese, French, Italian, German, Spanish…) is valued.

    • MINDSET 

  •  Interested in insurance industry and emerging risks modeling (climate);
  • Strong team spirit and 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 (e.g annual seminars, training etc.);
  • Work in a collaborative & professional environment;
  • Be part of a dynamic 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 : 80-110k full package;
  • Local Visa sponsorship (existing 482 Visas only) will be approved for the right candidate on a case-by-case basis.

    • 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 Head of Recruitment
  • Step 2: In person team interview to meet our team and discover our offices

    • Want to know more?