Role Summary
The Head of Portfolio Optimisation is a global leadership role responsible for supporting the performance and execution of Rokstone’s underwriting strategy across a $1.4bn+ portfolio spanning 40 portfolios across specialty (e.g. Aviation, Marine, Engineering), digital, and consumer product lines. Reporting to the Chief Underwriting & Risk Officer, the role provides independent insight, oversight, and constructive challenge on portfolio performance. It ensures our underwriting strategy delivers strong portfolio results, with a focus on profitability, disciplined growth, and the effective use of third-party capacity. You lead and develop a high-performing global portfolio optimisation team, building capability in analytics, insight, and business partnering.
Role Accountabilities
- Build and lead a high-performing team, setting clear expectations, developing capability, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
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Monitor portfolio performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities, and support actions to improve profitability and enable sustainable growth
- Deliver high-quality analytics and forward-looking insights to inform underwriting decisions and portfolio steering
- Provide independent, evidence-based challenge to underwriting strategy and performance, ensuring alignment between strategic intent and portfolio outcomes
- Support business planning, pricing adequacy, and capacity deployment to ensure alignment with performance objectives
- Support the effective deployment of third-party capacity, ensuring delivery of consistent, profitable returns alongside growth
- Monitor external market conditions, pricing trends, and competitor performance to provide context to portfolio results
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Develop benchmarking views to assess Rokstone’s performance relative to the market and identify areas of outperformance or concern
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Incorporate external insights into portfolio analysis to support underwriting strategy, growth opportunities, and risk awareness
- Partner with MI and data teams to enhance the quality, consistency, and accessibility of portfolio reporting, supporting the development of dashboards, tools and ATOMX that improve visibility of performance and enable timely, insight-driven decision-making
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Work closely with the Underwriting Excellence & Governance function to maintain a holistic view of portfolio performance, incorporating underwriting governance outcomes into portfolio insight and decision-making
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Partner with underwriting, claims, actuarial, finance, and data teams to deliver a consistent and integrated view of portfolio performance
Role Requirements
- Significant experience in underwriting portfolio management, actuarial, or underwriting leadership
- Strong understanding of specialty and/or commercial insurance portfolios
- Proven experience managing or analysing large, complex portfolios
- Experience operating in a global, matrixed environment
- Track record of influencing senior stakeholders and constructively challenging strategy and performance
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams
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Relevant professional qualifications (e.g. ACII or equivalent) are desirable.
Skills and Abilities
- Strong ability to translate complex data into actionable insights
- Deep understanding of profitability, growth dynamics, and portfolio performance drivers
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Ability to assess performance and challenge strategic direction based on evidence
- Credible and confident in engaging and challenging senior underwriting stakeholders
- Clear and concise communicator, able to present complex information effectively
- Proven ability to build, lead, and develop high-performing teams
- Results-driven with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
Management Duties
We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are proud to share that 93% of our employees say they can be themselves at work. We aim to hire our industry's finest people because the best people drive the best outcomes.
And we forever challenge the status quo because we know there are always ways to improve things. Because together, we're limitless. We value applicants from all backgrounds and foster a culture of inclusivity. We understand the need for flexibility, so work in a hybrid model. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.
