Willis Towers Watson - Catastrophe Model Developer

Catastrophe Model Developer

The Company : 

Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 40,000 employees serving more than 140 countries. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas - the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.com

The Business :
 
Investment, Risk and Reinsurance : 

Our sophisticated approach to risk helps clients free up capital. We work in close contact with investors, reinsurers, and insurers to manage the equation between risk and return. Blending advanced analytics with deep institutional knowledge, we reveal new opportunities to maximize performance.

The Team : 

Our Analytics and Model Development (AMD) specialists concentrate on Willis Re's catastrophe model building and the development of analytical tools. The team is comprised of individuals with expertise in hydrology, atmospheric science, seismology, spatial analytics, economics and software development. We are a growing, multi-national team in Willis Re, comprised of enthusiastic, dynamic and team oriented individuals who work closely with the Willis Research Network fellows to translate the latest science and technology into client solutions. AMD constantly advances in-house modelling solutions, combining insurance industry experience with expert knowledge, to quantify the financial impact of natural and man-made catastrophes on our clients- portfolios across the world. The key focus is on building models where no reliable risk quantification tools exist using our technical expertise coupled with innovative product design.

The Role : 

We are currently recruiting for a Catastrophe Model Developer who will work within the Analytics and Model Development team of Willis Re in Mumbai to support clients and brokers across our international business in order to identify and quantify catastrophe risk with a focus on flood.

Major Accountabilities :

- Developing and running Willis proprietary catastrophe models, including calibration,validation and interpretation of modelled loss estimates

- Effective communication of model development progress and modelling results to all stakeholders (i.e. catastrophe modellers / brokers/actuaries/clients/reinsurers)

- Assisting London based team lead in management of Mumbai based project work and team members

- Processing and analysing peril datasets (e.g. flood, earthquake, wind catalogues)

- Research into issues in catastrophe risk modelling and actively liaise with the Willis Research Network fellows

- Developing innovative analytics solutions to quantify catastrophe risk and support business requirements

- Build and maintain a library of outputs for instant use by analysts and brokers

- Actively participating in knowledge sharing within the team

Key Skills / Experience Required :

- 3+ years within an analytical environment in a commercial role involving flood/hydrology analytics

- Preferred PhD or MSc in flood related subject (e.g. hydrology, meteorology, civil engineering, geo-/ atmospheric physics)

- Excellent knowledge of maths and statistics (i.e. probability theory, extreme value theory, multi variate distributions, time series, geo-statistics)

- Understanding of flood frequency estimation, urban drainage, stochastic hydrology

- Capability of processing and analysing flood-specific datasets (e.g. terrain data, rain/river gauge data, remote sensing data, flood loss and damage databases, etc.)

- Expertise and experience in hydrological and hydraulic modelling (model setup, calibration, validation, model sensitivity analysis, results interpretation)

- Practical knowledge in a number of modelling software packages such as:

- Hydrological models: TOP MODEL, PDM, SWAT, Land surface models (LSMs), etc.

- Hydraulic models: HEC-RAS, SWMM, MIKE FLOOD, etc.

- Proficient in R and/or Python

- Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

- Track record in project, time and team management

- Strong problem solving skills and keen attention to detail

- Ability to communicate technical topics to non-technical audience

- Knowledge of reinsurance and catastrophe modelling highly preferred

Principal Accountabilities :

- Conduct Risk: To put the interests of clients and the integrity of the market at the heart of the way you do business

We are committed to equal employment opportunities at Willis Towers Watson