Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Manager, Underwriting

at Kettle

🏢 About Kettle

Kettle is a pioneering deep learning-driven reinsurance company focused on predicting and mitigating climate crises, particularly in the E&S property space. Their unique blend of advanced AI and insurance expertise offers a forward-thinking environment where you can directly impact climate resilience. Working at Kettle means leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems in a rapidly evolving field.

About This Role

As Senior Manager of Underwriting, you will lead a team of underwriters to drive profitable growth of the E&S property portfolio, focusing on complex risks like wildfire and severe convective storms. Your strategic decisions will shape portfolio performance and broker relationships, making this role critical to Kettle's mission of using data to manage climate risk. This is a high-impact leadership position in a company at the intersection of insurance and AI.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a team stand-up to review pipeline and portfolio metrics, followed by one-on-one coaching with underwriters on complex risks. You'll spend time analyzing catastrophe model outputs, meeting with brokers to negotiate terms, and collaborating with the product team to refine underwriting guidelines. Afternoons often involve strategic planning, regulatory reviews, and cross-functional meetings with data scientists to improve risk models.

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🎯 Who Kettle Is Looking For

  • A seasoned commercial property underwriter with 7+ years of E&S experience, specializing in wildfire and severe convective storm risk assessment.
  • A proven leader with 5+ years managing underwriting teams, capable of developing talent and executing growth strategies.
  • Deeply knowledgeable about surplus lines regulations, commercial property forms, and catastrophe modeling, with a track record of profitable portfolio management.
  • Comfortable working in a remote, tech-driven environment and passionate about using data and AI to improve risk selection.

📝 Tips for Applying to Kettle

1

Tailor your resume to highlight specific E&S property experience with wildfire and severe convective storms—use metrics like loss ratios or portfolio growth.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your leadership experience to Kettle's mission of climate crisis mitigation through deep learning.

3

Showcase any experience with data-driven underwriting or collaboration with actuarial/tech teams to align with Kettle's AI focus.

4

Prepare a brief example of how you've used catastrophe modeling or analytics to improve underwriting decisions.

5

Mention your familiarity with remote team management and tools (e.g., Slack, Zoom) to demonstrate readiness for a fully remote role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your expertise in E&S property underwriting, specifically with wildfire and severe convective storm exposures, as these are central to Kettle's focus.", 'Highlight your leadership experience in managing teams and driving profitable growth, with concrete examples of portfolio performance improvements.', "Express enthusiasm for Kettle's deep learning approach and how it aligns with your belief in data-driven risk assessment.", "Demonstrate knowledge of surplus lines regulations and how you've navigated compliance in previous roles."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Kettle's blog or press releases to understand their deep learning technology and underwriting philosophy.
  • → Study their approach to climate risk—specifically how they model wildfire and severe convective storms.
  • → Look into their leadership team and company culture, particularly their remote work policies and values.
  • → Research recent news about E&S property market trends, especially related to climate change and regulatory changes.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you assess and underwrite a property exposed to wildfire in California? Walk us through your process.
2 Describe a time you turned around an underperforming portfolio. What strategies did you use?
3 How do you stay updated on catastrophe modeling and climate risk trends, and how do you apply them to underwriting?
4 How would you lead a team of underwriters remotely, ensuring consistency and profitability?
5 What is your experience with deep learning or AI in underwriting? How would you integrate it into your decision-making?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid applying without specific E&S property experience—this role requires deep expertise, not general underwriting.
  • Don't downplay the importance of catastrophe modeling; Kettle is data-driven, so emphasize analytical skills.
  • Avoid a generic cover letter—failing to mention Kettle's unique AI focus or climate mission will show lack of interest.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Kettle!

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