Underwriter

Deputy Catastrophe Modelling & Pricing - Reinsurance Zurich

For one of our clients, an international reinsurance, we are looking for a Senior Catastrophe Modelling & Pricing Specialist based in Zurich, Switzerland.

This is not a purely actuarial pricing position. We are looking for a highly quantitative professional who enjoys working with catastrophe models, large exposure datasets and complex risks, while remaining close to underwriting and commercial decision-making.

The position also offers a natural progression toward a Deputy / Lead role, with initial coaching responsibilities within the team.

Role

Your Role

You will play a central role in the assessment and pricing of Property & Casualty catastrophe reinsurance treaties, working closely with Underwriters, Actuaries and CAT Modelling specialists across several European offices.

Your objective will not simply be to run models. You will be expected to understand their underlying assumptions, challenge their outputs and translate complex quantitative information into pragmatic recommendations that can be used by Underwriters.

As one of the more experienced members of the team, you will also support the Team Lead and contribute to the development of more junior colleagues.

CAT Modelling & Pricing

Analyse and price catastrophe-exposed P&C reinsurance treaties using catastrophe models, actuarial techniques and statistical methodologies.
Work extensively with exposure, claims and portfolio data to assess underlying risks and support underwriting decisions.
Use market and vendor catastrophe models such as RMS and Verisk, while critically assessing their assumptions and limitations.
Challenge model outputs and contribute to developing an appropriate internal view of risk.
Analyse catastrophe accumulations, portfolio concentrations and relevant performance indicators.
Contribute to the development and improvement of internal pricing methodologies and tools.
Use historical losses, exposure information and market developments to enhance pricing assumptions.

Underwriting Partnership

Work directly with Reinsurance Underwriters throughout the pricing process.
Translate sophisticated modelling results into clear and commercially relevant conclusions.
Challenge underwriting assumptions and existing country guidelines when the underlying risk requires a different approach.
Help Underwriters understand the main drivers behind modelled losses and pricing recommendations.
Balance technical precision with the need to make timely and pragmatic business decisions.

Portfolio & Risk Analysis

Identify trends, concentrations and emerging exposures across catastrophe portfolios.
Analyse the impact of changing climate, economic and market assumptions on insured risks.
Contribute to portfolio reviews and broader P&C reinsurance analysis.
Ensure modelling and pricing activities remain aligned with internal governance and risk frameworks.

Leadership & Knowledge Sharing

Act as a technical reference point for less experienced colleagues.
Coach and provide day-to-day guidance to a junior team member.
Support the Team Lead in coordinating technical priorities and maintaining quality standards.
Contribute to internal knowledge-sharing sessions and technical discussions.
Progressively take on responsibilities as a Deputy to the Team Lead.

Profile

We are looking for someone with approximately 5 to 10 years of relevant professional experience, preferably gained within reinsurance, catastrophe modelling or P&C pricing.

An actuarial qualification is not mandatory. We are equally interested in quantitative professionals coming from backgrounds such as:

Catastrophe Modelling / Reinsurance Pricing
Actuarial Science
Data Science
Meteorology or Geosciences
Engineering
Mathematics / Statistics
Quantitative Economics or another strongly analytical discipline

What matters most is your ability to understand complex risks, work confidently with quantitative data and translate your analysis into relevant business decisions.

You ideally bring hands-on experience with RMS, Verisk or comparable catastrophe modelling platforms. Knowledge of Python, R, SQL or VBA is an advantage, particularly as the team continues to develop its own analytical and pricing tools, but advanced programming expertise is not a prerequisite.

Your Personality

The position requires someone who can operate effectively in a demanding underwriting environment where several priorities may arise simultaneously.

You are therefore:

Analytical without becoming unnecessarily theoretical.
Comfortable challenging existing models, assumptions and guidelines.
Pragmatic and capable of making decisions with imperfect information.
Resilient and able to remain structured during busy renewal periods.
A strong communicator who can interact naturally with both technical experts and Underwriters.
Collaborative and comfortable working across international teams.
Conscientious while keeping sight of the broader commercial objective.
Open-minded and willing to approach complex risks from different perspectives.
Comfortable coaching others while remaining hands-on technically.

International Environment

You will join an integrated international pricing organisation of approximately 12 professionals, split between Zurich and Brussels.

Although based in Zurich, you will collaborate extensively with colleagues in Brussels as well as Underwriters covering international markets, including the DACH, Nordic and Asian regions.

Regular interaction between both offices is an important part of the team's operating model, with approximately 2 to 3 trips to Brussels per month expected.

Professional fluency in English (minimum C1) is essential. German, French or Spanish would be additional assets.

Previous exposure to treaty reinsurance would be a significant advantage.

Offer

For this senior position in Zurich, the expected package would be approximately:

Fixed salary: CHF 150,000 – 170,000 gross/year, depending on experience and technical expertise.
Potential to reach CHF 170,000+ for an exceptional profile combining strong reinsurance CAT expertise with leadership capabilities.
Annual performance bonus: approximately 10–20% of fixed annual salary.
Employer pension contributions in line with the Swiss occupational pension system.
Accident and supplementary insurance coverage.
Flexible benefits and employee insurance advantages.
Up to 50% home working.
Approximately 2–3 business trips per month in Europe, covered by the employer.
Flexible working arrangements.
Access to extensive technical and professional training.
International career opportunities within the wider insurance and reinsurance organisation