Actuarial Analyst
Shepherd
Location
Chicago; New York City
Employment Type
Full time
Location Type
On-site
Department
Actuarial
Compensation
- $110K – $140K • Offers Equity
What We Do
Shepherd is a technology-driven Managing General Underwriter (MGU) transforming commercial Property & Casualty insurance for high-hazard industries. Our mission is to make risk frictionless for the builders and operators shaping the physical world — protecting progress from concept through construction and into decades of operation.
We’re building the fastest, smartest commercial risk platform, where underwriting expertise, data, and automation work together to deliver:
Faster decisions
Smarter, more accurate pricing
Better risk outcomes
With Shepherd, safety, speed, and quality no longer trade off against one another — they compound. We’re not just modernizing insurance products. We’re building the risk infrastructure for the next generation of financial services, where technology, underwriting, and partnerships operate in harmony to support the world’s most important industries — and the progress they make possible.
Our Investors
To date, Shepherd has raised over $20M from leading investors, including:
And several others
Our Team
We're a team of technologists and insurance enthusiasts, bridging the two worlds together. Check out our About page to learn more.
Actuarial Analyst
Chicago, San Francisco or New York City (Onsite)
Department: Actuarial Team
Reports to: Actuarial Lead
Location: Chicago, San Francisco, New York
Experience Level: 2 - 5 years
Salary Range: $110,000 - $140,000
What We Do
Shepherd is a technology-driven Managing General Underwriter (MGU) transforming commercial Property & Casualty insurance for high-hazard industries. Our mission is to make risk frictionless for the builders and operators shaping the physical world — protecting progress from concept through construction and into decades of operation.
We’re building the fastest, smartest commercial risk platform, where underwriting expertise, data, and automation work together to deliver:
Faster decisions
Smarter, more accurate pricing
Better risk outcomes
With Shepherd, safety, speed, and quality no longer trade off against one another — they compound. We’re not just modernizing insurance products. We’re building the risk infrastructure for the next generation of financial services, where technology, underwriting, and partnerships operate in harmony to support the world’s most important industries — and the progress they make possible.
Our Investors
To date, Shepherd has raised over $20M from leading investors, including:
Spark Capital
Costanoa Ventures
Y Combinator
Susa Ventures
Intact Ventures
And several others
Our Team
We're a team of technologists and insurance enthusiasts, bridging the two worlds together. Check out our About page to learn more.
About the Role
We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Actuarial Analyst to join our actuarial team supporting multiple commercial lines of business, including General Liability, Workers' Compensation, Commercial Property, and Excess Casualty. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on executing rigorous insurance analysis, collaborating cross-functionally, and delivering precise, actionable insights that drive competitive advantage.
As an Actuarial Analyst, you will be the bridge between market intelligence, regulatory requirements, and data-driven product decisions. You will be joining a small team of actuaries to play a critical role in ensuring our products remain competitive while maintaining compliance across all jurisdictions where we operate. The actuarial team works in close partnership with underwriters and software engineers, translating actuarial insights into the technology and decisions that power a modern insurance platform.
Key Responsibilities
Ratemaking and State Filings (40%)
Assist in the development, pricing, and implementation of rating plans for filing with state Departments of Insurance across commercial lines
Support the Compliance team in the preparation, documentation, and submission of rate and form filings through SERFF and related platforms
Research and draft comprehensive responses to rate-related objections, ensuring clear actuarial justification
Competitive Intelligence (35%)
Conduct comprehensive competitor analysis of rate and form filings across all commercial lines, utilizing SERFF, S&P Capital IQ Pro, and other regulatory databases
Analyze filings, rate manuals, underwriting guidelines, and coverage forms from ISO manuals, NCCI data, and other industry resources to develop benchmarks and strategic recommendations
Synthesize market trends and competitive positioning into actionable insights for the actuarial and underwriting teams
Monitor regulatory developments and emerging filing trends across target states
Actuarial Reporting & Portfolio Monitoring (25%)
Manage statutory reporting obligations to state rating bureaus and advisory organizations, including unit statistical and policy data submissions, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
Develop and maintain reporting deliverables for reinsurers and capacity partners, including bordereaux and portfolio reporting
Write SQL queries to extract and validate data needed for external reporting from internal PostgreSQL databases
Coordinate with internal teams on data accuracy and timely delivery for all external reporting obligations
Required Qualifications
Experience & Education
2-5 years of experience in commercial P&C insurance product analysis, actuarial, or competitive analysis functions
Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Finance, or related analytical field
Demonstrated experience with commercial insurance products and insurance data analytics
Actuarial exams such as P, FM, MAS-I, MAS-II, 5 (preferred but not required)
Technical Skills
SERFF system knowledge including navigation, filing preparation, and objection response processes
Experience with industry databases including ISO manuals, NCCI data, and regulatory research platforms
Advanced spreadsheet modeling skills for financial analysis and data manipulation
Working SQL proficiency for data extraction and validation from relational databases
Python experience for advanced analytics (preferred but not required)
Insurance Knowledge
Understanding of commercial insurance products including rating methodologies and underwriting guidelines
Knowledge of the state insurance filings process across multiple lines and jurisdictions
Understanding of ISO forms, NCCI guidelines, and industry standard practices
Familiarity with actuarial concepts including loss development, rate adequacy, and ratemaking fundamentals
Core Competencies
Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize regulatory and market data into clear recommendations
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, especially for time-sensitive regulatory deliverables
Clear communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
Cross-functional collaboration experience working with actuarial, underwriting, compliance, and product management teams
What We Offer
Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
Equity participation with significant upside potential in our growing organization
Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with company match
Professional development opportunities including conference attendance and certification support
Collaborative startup environment with opportunities for rapid career growth and expanded responsibilities
Benefits
🏥 Premium Healthcare
100% contribution to top-tier health, dental, and vision
🥕 Fertility benefits and family building support
🏖️ Unlimited PTO
Flexibility to take the time off, recharge, and perform
🥗 Daily lunches, dinners, and snacks
We work together, and enjoy meals together too
🖥️ SF, NYC, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and LA Offices
📚 Professional Development
Access to premium coaching, including leadership development
🏦 Competitive 401(k) Plan
🐶 Dog-friendly office
Plenty of dogs to play with and make friends with in the SF office
Compensation Range: $110K - $140K