Head of Catastrophe Modeling

Wildfire Defense Systems, Inc.

3d•$128,000 - $140,000

About The Position

The Head of Catastrophe Modeling leads Wildfire Defense Systems’ efforts to quantify wildfire risk and demonstrate the loss-reduction value of its services to insurance partners. The role turns field and operational data into model-driven insights supporting carrier relationships, business growth, and operational decision-making. A major focus is designing, developing, and maintaining proprietary internal catastrophe models and contributing to risk and pricing modeling. Within the Data Science Department, this position owns the development, validation, and application of wildfire catastrophe models and analytics across WDS’s enrolled property portfolio in the United States and Canada. The Head serves as the company’s subject matter expert on wildfire hazard, structure vulnerability, and loss estimation; evaluates industry-standard vendor models; develops proprietary analytics from WDS data; and communicates findings to executive leadership, insurance carriers, and reinsurance partners. The role collaborates with data science colleagues and actuarial, operations, product, and client-facing teams, and builds and leads a team of modeling and analytics professionals as the function grows. The position technically reports to the Data Science Manager and works closely with other WD Companies. It may be performed in a hybrid or remote arrangement, subject to WDS’s flexible work policy and business needs. Occasional travel may be required for team meetings, industry conferences, regulatory hearings, or client engagements. The work takes place in a standard office or remote office environment and involves extended computer use.

Requirements

Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Statistics, Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
At least 7 years of P&C insurance experience related to catastrophe modeling, exposure and risk management, pricing/reserving, and reinsurance strategy.
Familiarity with the functionality and inputs/outputs of major catastrophe model vendors, including Verisk, Cotality, and RMS.
Experience supporting insurance pricing, portfolio management, and reinsurance negotiations.
Advanced statistical modeling skills.
Proficiency in Python, R, SQL, or comparable analytical programming languages.
Strong understanding of catastrophe risk concepts, probabilistic modeling, and insurance/reinsurance structures.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
Knowledge of geospatial analytics, machine learning, and climate risk modeling techniques.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, calibrate, validate, and maintain proprietary catastrophe models focused on wildfire, incorporating secondary perils such as fire following earthquake and other risks related to the company’s portfolio.
Develop methodologies for event generation, hazard characterization, vulnerability modeling, and financial loss estimation.
Research emerging catastrophe risks and continually enhance modeling methodologies.
Analyze accumulation risk and concentration management at geographic, peril, and portfolio levels.
Produce catastrophe risk metrics, including AAL, EP curves, TVaR, PML, and stress-test scenarios.
Translate catastrophe model outputs into loss-cost assumptions and catastrophe loadings for insurance pricing models.
Partner with actuarial, underwriting, and product teams to incorporate catastrophe risk into rate indications and pricing strategies.
Lead catastrophe analytics supporting reinsurance purchasing decisions.
Develop pricing methodologies for ceded and assumed reinsurance transactions.
Support strategic planning, capital management, and growth initiatives through quantitative risk analysis.
Communicate modeling findings to executive leadership, insurance carriers, and reinsurance partners.
Build and lead a team of modeling and analytics professionals as the function grows.