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Director Geospatial Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

CAT MODELER

Des Moines, IA · On-site +1

$53.50 - $69.25/hr

Support Broker-Assumed Reinsurance, Farm Mutual Reinsurance, Direct Commercial Lines and corporate ... Preferred experience with SQL, Python, R, GIS/geospatial tools, reporting automation tools, or ...

CAT MODELER

Des Moines, IA · On-site +1

$89K - $154K/yr

Support Broker-Assumed Reinsurance, Farm Mutual Reinsurance, Direct Commercial Lines and corporate ... Preferred experience with SQL, Python, R, GIS/geospatial tools, reporting automation tools, or ...

CAT MODELER

Des Moines, IA · On-site +1

$53.50 - $69.25/hr

Support Broker-Assumed Reinsurance, Farm Mutual Reinsurance, Direct Commercial Lines and corporate ... Preferred experience with SQL, Python, R, GIS/geospatial tools, reporting automation tools, or ...

Director Geospatial information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Geospatial, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Geospatial, you typically need expertise in geographic information systems (GIS), data analysis, spatial modeling, and a relevant degree in geography, geospatial science, or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard GIS software (such as ArcGIS or QGIS), remote sensing tools, and project management systems is essential, along with certifications like GISP. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are vital soft skills for leading teams and aligning geospatial initiatives with organizational goals. These skills are crucial for driving innovation, ensuring data-driven decision-making, and successfully managing complex geospatial projects.

What does a Director of Geospatial do?

A Director of Geospatial oversees the strategic planning, development, and management of geospatial data and technologies within an organization. They lead teams that collect, analyze, and visualize geographic information to support decision-making across various projects. This role often involves collaborating with other departments, ensuring data accuracy, and staying updated on the latest geospatial tools and trends. Directors may also be responsible for establishing policies, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

How does a Director of Geospatial typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

A Director of Geospatial works closely with various departments such as IT, engineering, operations, and business development to integrate geospatial data into organizational strategies and decision-making. They often lead cross-functional teams to ensure that geospatial solutions align with project goals and support efficient workflows. Effective communication and coordination are essential, as the director must translate technical geospatial insights into actionable information for non-technical stakeholders. This collaborative approach helps maximize the value of geospatial initiatives across the organization.

What is the difference between Director Geospatial vs GIS Manager?

AspectDirector GeospatialGIS Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Geography, GIS, or related field; certifications like GISP often preferredBachelor's or Master's in GIS, Geography, or related; certifications like GISP common
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership, overseeing multiple projects and teams, high-level decision makingOperational focus, managing daily GIS activities, project implementation
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in government agencies, large corporations, and consulting firms for leadership rolesCommon in organizations with active GIS departments, including government and private sectors

The main difference between a Director Geospatial and a GIS Manager lies in their scope and responsibilities. The Director Geospatial typically holds a strategic leadership role, overseeing multiple teams and projects, while the GIS Manager focuses on managing daily GIS operations and project execution. Both roles often require similar credentials and certifications, but their focus and level of seniority differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Geospatial jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Geospatial jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Geospatial jobs in Iowa? For Director Geospatial jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Geospatial jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Director Geospatial jobs in Iowa are:
CAT MODELER

$53.50 - $69.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

This role will operate and validate industry-standard catastrophe models, improve exposure data quality, support portfolio and cedant-level catastrophe analytics, and translate results into practical business insights. The position will work closely with Corporate Actuarial, Reinsurance, Pricing, Underwriting, Finance, and Enterprise Risk Management. Initial peril focus will include severe convective storm, winter storm, hurricane, and earthquake. The Catastrophe Modeler will help establish Grinnell Mutual’s in-house catastrophe modeling capability and develop a defensible internal view of catastrophe risk.

This position qualifies for our flexible workplace options. Work at our Grinnell, Iowa, headquarters or from a home office in any of the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Please note that candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Grinnell Mutual sponsorship.


  • Operate catastrophe modeling platforms such as Moody’s RMS, Verisk/AIR, or similar tools.
  • Produce recurring portfolio, cedant, and event-response analytics, including AAL, PML, OEP/AEP curves, tail-risk metrics, scenario results, and accumulation views.
  • Evaluate model assumptions, limitations, and key drivers of results.
  • Help develop and maintain Grinnell Mutual’s internal view of catastrophe risk.
  • Prepare, validate, geocode, and organize exposure data for catastrophe modeling.
  • Identify data gaps and improve exposure data standards for internal portfolios and cedant submissions.
  • Build repeatable tools, reports, queries, and dashboards to improve consistency, efficiency, and auditability.
  • Identify opportunities to use automation, AI-assisted workflows, scripts, or dashboards to streamline modeling and reporting.
  • Support Broker-Assumed Reinsurance, Farm Mutual Reinsurance, Direct Commercial Lines and corporate reinsurance purchasing through modeled loss costs, tail metrics, and scenario testing.
  • Analyze cedant exposure submissions for quoting, limit setting, treaty evaluation, and accumulation management.
  • Partner with underwriting and pricing teams to incorporate catastrophe insights into risk selection, pricing, coverage terms, and portfolio management.
  • Provide catastrophe model outputs for economic capital modeling, stress testing, ORSA reporting, BCAR/rating agency analysis, and enterprise risk management.
  • Translate technical results into clear business implications for leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

  • Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative, scientific, or technical field such as actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, meteorology, atmospheric science, earth science, data science, or a related discipline.
  • At least 5 years of hands-on catastrophe modeling experience in property insurance, reinsurance, brokerage, consulting, or analytics.
  • Experience with catastrophe modeling platforms such as Moody’s RMS, Verisk/AIR, or similar tools.
  • Strong understanding of property insurance, reinsurance, catastrophe model structure, exposure data, financial terms, and model uncertainty.
  • Strong data analysis skills, including advanced Excel and experience working with large exposure datasets.
  • Ability to build repeatable processes in a developing capability area and collaborate across actuarial, underwriting, reinsurance, IT/data, finance, and risk management teams.
  • Present information in a logical, well-strucutred manner to explain recommendations or support the review of information.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple or competing priorities while meeting deadlines. Flexible and adaptable to changing business needs.
  • Proven ability to define problems, gather and analyze data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions. Skilled at leveraging appropriate resources to develop and implement effective solutions.
  • Prefrered experience with severe convective storm, winter storm, hurricane, earthquake, or other catastrophe perils.
  • Preferred experience supporting reinsurance placement, treaty pricing, accumulation management, or cedant submission analysis.
  • Preferred experience with SQL, Python, R, GIS/geospatial tools, reporting automation tools, or dashboards.
  • Familiarity with rating agency capital models, ORSA, economic capital modeling, or enterprise risk management.
  • Experience with catastrophe model validation, sensitivity testing, model governance, or internal view-of-risk development.
  • Professional designations or coursework such as CCRA, ARe, CPCU, actuarial credentials, or other relevant industry training.
  • Must be able to maintain confidentiality and protect propriety information.
  • Demonstrated ability to adhere to all Grinnell Mutual policies and incorporate Grinnell Mutual core values in all areas work.

The salary range for the position is $89,000 - $154,500. For a list of benefits, click here.


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job duty and responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform job duties and responsibilities.

  • This position is physically located in a remote office or at one of Grinnell Mutual’s campuses with a work environment of a typical office setting; noise level is relatively quiet. Requires an individual to sit or stand for long periods of time. 
  • Interacts with many types of people, may encounter resistance, which can be stimulating, yet demanding. Works under externally imposed deadlines with unexpected and frequent interruptions to the workflow making it challenging to anticipate the nature and volume of work to perform and meet established deadlines. 
  • Requires the individual to frequently interact via telephone, video conference, and in-person. 
  • Ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force and to lift to 10 pounds. 

This job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As the nature of the business demands change, so too may the job duties and responsibilities.

Grinnell Mutual is an Equal Opportunity Employer in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.