Head of Catastrophe Risk

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