Address From day one, our mission has been to create an independent business with a unique culture – one that is controlled by the people who work for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people has always been key to our success.
People come to Howden for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.
This is an exciting opportunity to partner with our Chief of Staff in a newly created position to provide strategic support to our Group CEO’s office.
Reporting to the Chief of Staff you will have the opportunity to be at the heart of the action by working across all aspects of Executive level challenges and cross-functional projects of key strategic importance to the leadership team.
This is a unique opportunity to work directly within our CEO’s offices and gain unparalleled insights into the inner workings of a hugely successful business. Ultimately, this role has been created to better support the Chief of Staff in the execution of their duties and the efficient running of the Group. This includes the coordination of Board level and Executive Committee papers to drive better business decision making and establish better ways of working.
We’re looking for an ambitious and purpose-driven individual who will need to be ready to immerse themselves into the fast-paced nature of a supercharged business. You will learn plenty and be rewarded with an experience that encourages growth and development. We expect you to have strong analytical skills, the ability to solve complex problems and be comfortable working in an evolving and rapidly changing environment. You will be innovative, curious, and not afraid of a challenge.
Key Responsibilities / Accountabilities
- You will be the ‘go-to’ person for our Chief of Staff supporting a range of cross-functional projects and helping them to manage deliverables from across the leadership team;
- Preparation of executive reports and board papers;
- Conduct advanced analysis for key projects, for example financial analysis, competitor insights etc;
- Assist the Chief of Staff in monitoring the execution of business, operational and strategic plans and presentations, monitoring the subsequent execution of actions that may arise from these interactions;
- Foster a collaborate working relationship with global leaders;
- Work closely with our Finance teams in carrying out analysis of financial data as it relates to the business context;
- Foster a collaborate working relationship with global leaders;
- Coordination and Execution of projects;
Skills and abilities needed to perform role
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
- An influencer who is diplomatic and politically astute;
- Pragmatic problem solver;
- Results orientated with a can-do attitude;
- Ability to write communications in differing styles;
- Comfortable dealing with C suite executives;
- Able to adapt quickly and ‘hit the ground running’;
- A self-starter, comfortable operating in ambiguity;
- Have the ability to take a wide perspective, and broadly understand the business and its market
- Analytical with good understanding of financials and corporate governance
- Ability to build and use a network of people and knowledge;
- Drafting business cases / proposals / presentations
Our Culture: People First
We’ve travelled far since opening our first office in 1994. Back then we were local experts – based in London, with direct access to the world’s biggest insurance market. We’re still locals, and we still deliver the right advice and the right insurance to our clients. But now, we’re local all over the world. With 15,000 global colleagues and a partner network spanning more than 100 territories, we are the largest independent insurance broker in the world. But our values haven’t changed since day one, when we set out to create a company grounded in:
- An employee-ownership model
- Aligned external investors
- The trust and integrity born of friendship
- Expertise
- Independence
Our focus on being a people-first business has always been at the very heart of Howden. Our vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture; one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. Our employee ownership model sets us apart in the market. It’s created a culture of collaboration and innovation, where we’re driven to think bigger and empowered to challenge convention.
Our flat structure and entrepreneurial spirit help us attract the best people and empower them to be the best version of themselves. And when we bring in and nurture great talent, more follows. That makes us better – and that’s better for everyone.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Howden we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.
