VP, Business Development - Florida

Descartes Underwriting

About The Position

Join Descartes and contribute to our mission: Building Resilience in a World at Risk. Descartes is a corporate insurance group for worldwide companies and institutions. Descartes was born from a conviction that the growing complexity of corporate and climate risks demands a new approach to insurance. At the forefront of AI and Data analysis, Descartes utilises cutting-edge technology combined with a new generation of data sources, to model, assess and manage risks. Since 2019, Descartes has secured a leading position in parametric (re)insurance combining scientific & technological expertise with a new approach. Parametric insurance, also known as index-based insurance, indemnifies clients within days based on pre-defined payout structures when a specific triggering event occurs, the payout process is both fast and transparent. The company has been financed with over $141M by investors including Highland Europe, BlackFin, Serena, Cathay, Eurazeo and Battery Ventures. Our highly diverse and specialized team of 250+ people includes the largest modelling team in the industry featuring tech and modeling innovators, scientists in physics and climatology, as well as insurance veterans and underwriters. With a global footprint and strong US presence, Descartes serves a diverse portfolio of clients in more than 60 countries, with 20+ offices spread across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin and North America. In close collaboration with regional business development leadership and colleagues, you will be responsible for business development activities in Florida. This is a consultative sales role focused on complex, bespoke solutions with long sales cycles.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 years’ experience in the North American Property & Casualty market, in a business development and/or underwriting capacity
Established relationships with retail brokers based in Florida required
Deep understanding of Nat Cat perils required
Fluency in English (written and verbal communication) – required
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Consultative selling and negotiation skills required
Strong analytical capabilities and financial acumen
Results oriented, high energy, with the ability to work in a dynamic and multi-cultural environment
Excellent team player with an entrepreneurial mindset and value of diversity
Collaborative and comfortable with ambiguity and change
Motivated to help improving businesses’ and communities’ resilience to climate change

Nice To Haves

Candidates with experience from brokerage firm or underwriting company highly preferred
Experience selling complex, bespoke solutions rather than commoditized products highly preferred
Experience in the parametric risk space preferred
Good command of one additional language (e.g. Spanish, Portuguese) highly valued

Responsibilities

Expand Descartes’ corporate broker network in the Florida market, building strong relationships to generate new opportunities & secure renewals
Develop and promote the value proposition of Descartes’ parametric products as a pro-active element within brokers' strategic toolkit
Understand and identify market needs in the Florida and generate new business opportunities while continuing to build Descartes’ reputation within the industry
Develop a strategic sales plan for Florida in collaboration with regional team members and create and maintain a strong sales pipeline by building and nurturing relationships
Represent Descartes externally at Broker, Client and Industry meetings & events; including occasional public speaking engagements
Collaborate cross-functionally with Underwriting and colleagues in the Americas and in Paris to optimize business opportunities and generate success stories
Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth delivery of Descartes’ value proposition
Monitor insurance - and parametric specific - industry developments in the North American market, effectively communicating insights internally