Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Markus Konz

Staufen

Summary

An empathetic people leader embodying the principles of servant leadership, I prioritize the growth and well-being of my teams (currently approx. 120 people) while maintaining a strong focus on delivery of large-scale projects with total annual budget of $20M in the Natural Catastrophe, Geo and Specialty Underwriting domain. I approach projects with an end-to-end perspective, ensuring business impact and sustainable results. My keen business acumen is complemented by robust technical and analytical expertise, both academic and hands-on — driven by the conviction that true leadership is rooted in deep understanding of the subject matter. I have a proven track record in client negotiations and stakeholder management across all hierarchy levels, fostering collaboration and achieving alignment in complex environments.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Product & Delivery Director Specialty/NatCat/Geo

Swiss Re
01.2021 - Current
  • Leading the development and delivery of innovative business data and tech solutions for SwissRe's Specialty and Property NatCat/Geo lines, managing a $20M annual budget. Our IT systems are at the heart of SwissRe's Property and Specialty underwriting business and handle multiple USD of premium impacts and we drive product design and delivery end-to-end. Oversee a team of 120 IT and product professionals, deliver award-winning tools, and serve as digital transformation advisor, driving efficiency and strategic change.

Head Agricultural R&D&Solutions

Swiss Re
01.2020 - 12.2020
  • As Product Manager and Owner, I led the development of software solutions for Agriculture, managing a $2M budget and a 12-member team. Through agile project management, I delivered internal costing tools, which rate 80% of SwissRe’s Agriculture portfolio, and external SaaS solutions, live with clients across China, Europe, and Latin America. I also oversaw digital innovation, built cross-functional teams, and established key industry partnerships, e.g. bringing in Meteomatics as SwissRe’s primary weather data provider.

Head Agricultural Product Center

Swiss Re
09.2017 - 12.2019
  • As L2 Portfolio Owner, I managed an $800M premium portfolio with 30 underwriters, introduced rigorous costing standards, and strengthened portfolio steering as a core strategic tool. I advanced global costing methodology, handled referral underwriting for large transactions, and launched successful parametric weather products, including the industry pioneering satellite-based Heilongjiang Agro CAT in China. I also implemented a costing framework for India’s $4.8B yield shortfall program, significantly improving underwriting quality. Large deal referral authority up to $60M.

Flood Expert

Swiss Re
09.2012 - 09.2017
  • Probabilistic flood model development (Hazard, vulnerability, Geo mapping)
  • International leadership experience (international assignment in India to build up a NatCat R&D team in Bangalore)

Senior Account Manager

RMS
06.2010 - 10.2012
  • Service and support for European insurance and reinsurance clients
  • Product expert for RMS flood, earthquake and terrorism models
  • Strong focus on client management

Education

MAS - Data Science

ZHAW
Switzerland
01.2022

Post-Doc -

ETHZ
Switzerland
01.2010

PhD -

University of Basel, University of Strasbourg
Switzerland, France
01.2009

BSc and MSc - Hydrology

University of Freiburg
Germany
06.2005

Skills

  • Agile development and project management
  • SCRUM product ownership
  • Cross-functional team leadership
  • Mathematical modeling expertise
  • Parametric product design
  • Advanced proficiency in Matlab, Python, Pandas, R
  • Smart service and product design
  • Business architecture knowledge
  • SQL and PySpark familiarity

Languages

German
First Language
English
Advanced (C1)
C1
French
Elementary (A2)
A2

Timeline

Product & Delivery Director Specialty/NatCat/Geo

Swiss Re
01.2021 - Current

Head Agricultural R&D&Solutions

Swiss Re
01.2020 - 12.2020

Head Agricultural Product Center

Swiss Re
09.2017 - 12.2019

Flood Expert

Swiss Re
09.2012 - 09.2017

Senior Account Manager

RMS
06.2010 - 10.2012

MAS - Data Science

ZHAW

Post-Doc -

ETHZ

PhD -

University of Basel, University of Strasbourg

BSc and MSc - Hydrology

University of Freiburg
Markus Konz