R&D Exposure Manager

at  Ascot Group

Job Purpose:
This position provides an excellent opportunity for the candidate to further develop Ascot’s exposure management R&D function across all lines of business and for all group entities.
The candidate will undertake research projects, both as part of the wider R&D team and self-guided, and advise on aspects of integration, design and implementation of models and tools built by the R&D team, or by third parties. Research project work will generally be allocated to team members based on personal skillsets, but could reasonably cover any natural or man-made peril, or other related topics, some of which may be unfamiliar.
The candidate should have an interest in new technology and exploring how this can be utilised from an EM perspective. Adding efficiency and building future workflows / reporting capabilities are areas of priority for EM, and the candidate is expected to feed into that with their experience. Engagement is expected with underwriters and senior management as well as externally to Lloyds and other regulators/rating agencies as required. Knowledge sharing / transfer and training of colleagues in the EM team is an important element for this role.

Detailed Duties:

• Undertake R&D projects, both as part of a team and self-guided, to enhance Ascot’s understanding of natural and man-made perils which the group are exposed to.
• Contribute to the enhancement of Ascot’s view of risk
• Have excellent knowledge of existing catastrophe modelling software, its capabilities and limitations, depending on experience.
• Develop a consistent approach to assess the credibility of specific models and be prepared to make recommendations to management about their use and limitations to inform their selection.
• Perform evaluation and validation of natural catastrophe models for all lines of business by applying methodologies in line with Ascot’s model evaluation framework.
• Perform validation on external casualty catastrophe liability models to help determine their relevance for the group
• Be able to update and build on existing evaluation work and interpret new developments in scientific understanding and modelling approaches as they arise.
• Provide feedback on research projects to senior members of the exposure management team, underwriters and to committees, demonstrating an in-depth grasp of modelling components and materiality to the group portfolio.
• Contribute to other research and development projects to enhance Ascot’s overall approach to modelling, exposure management and non-modelled perils.
• Involvement in the improvement and streamlining of exposure management R&D capabilities and processes
• Support EM’s view of risk with technical skill
• Work with senior members of Exposure Management on document writing and presenting of material to senior management and externally

Other expectations:

• Participation in the wider activities of the exposure management team as well as the overall risk function
• From time to time, taking part in relevant projects throughout the wider business
• Keeping up-to-date with technological developments applicable to our field
• Performing other related duties to meet the on-going needs of the organisation
• Contribute to the enhancement of Ascot’s EM Tech Framework
• Knowledge of web APIs to interface between 3rd party systems and Ascot systems

Technical Skills:

• Educated to at least Masters level in a relevant scientific/numerate subject.
• Knowledge of at least one vendor catastrophe modelling framework and understanding of the probability and statistical concepts behind it.
• Demonstrable competence in querying SQL. Knowledge of other non-SQL alternatives useful.
• Experience using high-level coding languages like VBA, R, Python. C++ or C# and development experience using version control would be an advantage.
• Understanding of GIS systems and principles. Able to script using GIS packages in R or Python desirable.
• Creative and able to advocate novel ideas and solutions.
• Details orientated, while being efficient and timely.
• Good problem solver, with strong communication skills.

• Undertake R&D projects, both as part of a team and self-guided, to enhance Ascot’s understanding of natural and man-made perils which the group are exposed to.
• Contribute to the enhancement of Ascot’s view of risk
• Have excellent knowledge of existing catastrophe modelling software, its capabilities and limitations, depending on experience.
• Develop a consistent approach to assess the credibility of specific models and be prepared to make recommendations to management about their use and limitations to inform their selection.
• Perform evaluation and validation of natural catastrophe models for all lines of business by applying methodologies in line with Ascot’s model evaluation framework.
• Perform validation on external casualty catastrophe liability models to help determine their relevance for the group
• Be able to update and build on existing evaluation work and interpret new developments in scientific understanding and modelling approaches as they arise.
• Provide feedback on research projects to senior members of the exposure management team, underwriters and to committees, demonstrating an in-depth grasp of modelling components and materiality to the group portfolio.
• Contribute to other research and development projects to enhance Ascot’s overall approach to modelling, exposure management and non-modelled perils.
• Involvement in the improvement and streamlining of exposure management R&D capabilities and processes
• Support EM’s view of risk with technical skill
• Work with senior members of Exposure Management on document writing and presenting of material to senior management and externall