Head of Underwriting Risk Management

Description

Role Overview:

As a strategic leader within NSD, the Director of Underwriting Risk Management will play a critical role in safeguarding the organization’s financial resilience and informing high-impact business decisions. This position is responsible for leading the actuary team with the development and execution of actuarial models, financial forecasts, and risk analyses that guide pricing, reserving, and long-term strategic planning. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, contributing expert insights that shape product design, risk management, and overall financial strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Risk Analysis: Lead the evaluation of complex data sets to assess the probability and financial impact of future events including claims experience, economic shifts, and emerging market risks.
• Advanced Financial Modeling: Develop and refine actuarial models that support pricing strategies, reserving policies, loss projections, and capital management.
• Forecasting & Scenario Planning: Deliver forward-looking projections on claims, profitability, investment performance, and reserve adequacy to support enterprise-wide planning.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure full compliance with applicable actuarial standards, solvency frameworks, and regulatory reporting requirements at both national and provincial levels.
• Product Innovation: Partner with Product, Sales, and Operations teams to design, price, and refine new insurance and warranty programs that meet customer needs and support growth objectives.
• Stakeholder Communication: Translate technical actuarial findings into actionable insights for executive leadership, board members, regulators, and partners through high-impact presentations and reporting.
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Identify and monitor evolving risk factors; support enterprise risk frameworks that ensure financial stability and optimize capital efficiency.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Provide mentorship to junior actuarial staff, foster cross-functional collaboration, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and performance excellence.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to streamline actuarial operations, enhance model accuracy, and integrate new tools or methodologies that elevate analytical capabilities.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Finance, or a related discipline required.
  • Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• Professional Credentials:
  • Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) required.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 5–7 years of actuarial experience, with demonstrated progression into leadership roles.
  • Prior experience in insurance, warranty, or financial services is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with regulatory frameworks (IFRS 17, Solvency II, NAIC, etc.) is a plus.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Proficiency in actuarial modeling and statistical tools (e.g., Prophet, AXIS, Emblem).
  • Strong command of analytical programming languages (e.g., Python, R, SAS, SQL).
  • Deep understanding of risk, financial theory, and capital modeling.
• Leadership & Communication:
  • Proven ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and deliver strategic insights across functions.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical content to non-technical audiences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

To excel in this role, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities:

• Expertise in Technical Accounting: Strong foundation in accounting principles with the ability to interpret complex financial data and regulatory requirements.
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Sharp critical thinking skills with a solutions-oriented mindset; able to connect data insights to broader business strategies.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Brings creativity and initiative to develop effective solutions to complex challenges.
• Proactive Leadership: Self-motivated and results-driven, with the ability to work independently and lead cross-functional initiatives without close supervision.
• Agility in Fast-Paced Environments: Comfortable operating under pressure and managing multiple priorities within tight deadlines.
• Discretion and Integrity: Maintains strict confidentiality and exercises sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills; capable of translating complex concepts to various audiences.
• Collaborative Mindset: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across departments and influence stakeholders.
• Detail-Oriented Execution: High level of accuracy with a strong focus on quality and process improvement.
• Investigative Initiative: Ability to identify discrepancies, perform root-cause analysis, and proactively implement corrective actions.

Work Schedule

• Hours Required: Onsite at NSD HQ in Boca Raton, FL Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• The responsibilities of this role require an onsite NSD HQ commitment.
• Flexibility may be required to meet business needs or project deadlines.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally required to stand; walk; climb stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: 

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The usual environment is in a business office with a noise level in the work environment that is usually moderate. 

This position is Exempt.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions and may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Qualifications

Role Overview:

As a strategic leader within NSD, the Director of Underwriting Risk Management will play a critical role in safeguarding the organization’s financial resilience and informing high-impact business decisions. This position is responsible for leading the actuary team with the development and execution of actuarial models, financial forecasts, and risk analyses that guide pricing, reserving, and long-term strategic planning. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, contributing expert insights that shape product design, risk management, and overall financial strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Risk Analysis: Lead the evaluation of complex data sets to assess the probability and financial impact of future events including claims experience, economic shifts, and emerging market risks.
• Advanced Financial Modeling: Develop and refine actuarial models that support pricing strategies, reserving policies, loss projections, and capital management.
• Forecasting & Scenario Planning: Deliver forward-looking projections on claims, profitability, investment performance, and reserve adequacy to support enterprise-wide planning.
• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight: Ensure full compliance with applicable actuarial standards, solvency frameworks, and regulatory reporting requirements at both national and provincial levels.
• Product Innovation: Partner with Product, Sales, and Operations teams to design, price, and refine new insurance and warranty programs that meet customer needs and support growth objectives.
• Stakeholder Communication: Translate technical actuarial findings into actionable insights for executive leadership, board members, regulators, and partners through high-impact presentations and reporting.
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Identify and monitor evolving risk factors; support enterprise risk frameworks that ensure financial stability and optimize capital efficiency.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Provide mentorship to junior actuarial staff, foster cross-functional collaboration, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and performance excellence.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead initiatives to streamline actuarial operations, enhance model accuracy, and integrate new tools or methodologies that elevate analytical capabilities.

Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Finance, or a related discipline required.
  • Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• Professional Credentials:
  • Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) or Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) required.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 5–7 years of actuarial experience, with demonstrated progression into leadership roles.
  • Prior experience in insurance, warranty, or financial services is strongly preferred.
  • Experience with regulatory frameworks (IFRS 17, Solvency II, NAIC, etc.) is a plus.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Proficiency in actuarial modeling and statistical tools (e.g., Prophet, AXIS, Emblem).
  • Strong command of analytical programming languages (e.g., Python, R, SAS, SQL).
  • Deep understanding of risk, financial theory, and capital modeling.
• Leadership & Communication:
  • Proven ability to lead teams, influence stakeholders, and deliver strategic insights across functions.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical content to non-technical audiences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

To excel in this role, the ideal candidate will demonstrate a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities:

• Expertise in Technical Accounting: Strong foundation in accounting principles with the ability to interpret complex financial data and regulatory requirements.
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Sharp critical thinking skills with a solutions-oriented mindset; able to connect data insights to broader business strategies.
• Innovative Problem Solving: Brings creativity and initiative to develop effective solutions to complex challenges.
• Proactive Leadership: Self-motivated and results-driven, with the ability to work independently and lead cross-functional initiatives without close supervision.
• Agility in Fast-Paced Environments: Comfortable operating under pressure and managing multiple priorities within tight deadlines.
• Discretion and Integrity: Maintains strict confidentiality and exercises sound judgment in handling sensitive information.
• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills; capable of translating complex concepts to various audiences.
• Collaborative Mindset: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across departments and influence stakeholders.
• Detail-Oriented Execution: High level of accuracy with a strong focus on quality and process improvement.
• Investigative Initiative: Ability to identify discrepancies, perform root-cause analysis, and proactively implement corrective actions.

Work Schedule

• Hours Required: Onsite at NSD HQ in Boca Raton, FL Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• The responsibilities of this role require an onsite NSD HQ commitment.
• Flexibility may be required to meet business needs or project deadlines.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally required to stand; walk; climb stairs. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: 

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The usual environment is in a business office with a noise level in the work environment that is usually moderate. 

This position is Exempt.

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions and may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.