Howden
Executive Director - Head of International Cyber
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Who are we?
Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. We're experts helping clients adapt and thrive in a changing world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 23,000 employees and spanning 56 countries.
Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach. There’s no such thing as individual success. We all need to play our part, contributing our skills and experience to make a true difference. That’s Howden.
Why work at Howden?
We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients.
Always have, always will.
People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down disappointed head-hunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.
The Role
The Executive Director at Howden Group offers a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team within our Cyber and Technology practice in the ever-evolving finance and insurance industry. This role is exceptionally positioned at the forefront of driving business growth while delivering flawless client service and managing high-value accounts. With a strong mix of broking and technical expertise, you will work closely with senior management to successfully implement business strategies, meet ambitious targets, and ensure that our operations set world-class standards. This position requires a balance of strategic vision and technical acumen, driving financial performance and contributing to the development of a high-performing team.
What you'll do
- As the team leader for International Cyber you will be responsible for shaping and driving the global cyber wholesale strategy, leading market‑facing teams, and overseeing the placement of complex cyber insurance programs across international markets.
- Lead the execution of the Cyber strategy to achieve growth, improve shareholder value, and ensure compliance.
- Meet agreed business targets and motivate the team to achieve objectives.
- Develop and implement effective business plans, contribute to tactical strategies, and provide regular management reports.
- Take the lead in broking complex placements and ensuring positive client experiences through tailored, disciplined solutions.
- Act as a senior technical expert within the team, guiding and mentoring more junior team members.
- Coordinate market negotiations to deliver the best balance of quality, service, and pricing.
- Ensure risk management infrastructure is in place and promote a positive risk culture across the team.
- Collaborate with the Managing Director and Head of Team to identify and implement new business opportunities.
- Ensure the successful implementation of policies, procedures, and compliance requirements within the team.
- Foster and maintain positive relationships with collaborators and customers to uphold excellent service standards and enhance the company's reputation.
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Who we're looking for
- Extensive experience in broking, account management, or technical expertise in Cyber insurance
- Proven ability to develop business plans, manage budgets, and deliver successful business results.
- Extensive knowledge of the insurance sector and regulatory environment, with a strong understanding of its commercial competence.
- Advanced knowledge of data, technology, and emerging trends within the insurance market.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior collaborators.
- Strong leadership and organizational skills with a track record of managing teams effectively.
- Ability to navigate complex issues, make decisive decisions, and manage change in a dynamic environment.
- A great teammate with resilience, tenacity, and the ability to collaborate across different teams and departments.
- Maths and English GCSE (or equivalent).
- A level or equivalent (desirable).
- Attainment of the LLMIT (the Lloyd's and London Market Introductory Test) where relevant.
- A degree in commerce or business-related disciplines is desirable, or substantial commercial experience in lieu. ACII qualification or relevant industry certifications preferred.
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What do we offer in return?
- A career that you define.
- Our business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, and fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society’s greatest challenges.
And we know that separate home and work lives don't really exist. If you're happy and healthy at home, you're more likely to be happy and fulfilled at work – and vice versa. That's why we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.
Diversity and Inclusion
At Howden we value diversity - there is no one Howden ‘personality type’. Instead, we’re looking for individuals who share the same values as us:
- Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new
- We support each other, in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges
- We are determined to make a positive difference, at work and beyond
- 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 age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.
Reasonable adjustments
We're committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours* or hybrid working*.
If you're excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.
*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.
Our sustainability promise
We’re on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It's a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world. You can read more about our sustainability work here.
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