Group Finance Transformation Lead

Who are we? Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. 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 spanning over 56 countries. 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 headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden. What is the role? Our Group Finance team is hiring a Finance Transformation Lead to partner with Senior Finance team leaders to drive process improvement and deliver key transformation milestones. You’ll bring structure, strategic insight, and knowledge of best practice to a fast‑moving environment—ensuring high‑quality, compliant, and timely delivery across the finance transformation agenda. Please note that this is a full-time, 12-month FTC role based in our Central London office. Following a hybrid work pattern, you are expected to be onsite 3 days per week on average. What will you be doing? Programme Leadership & Execution Act as accountable owner for the development and execution of all group finance workstream activities in alignment with the overall transformation timeline and strategic objectives Define the scope and deliverables of the group finance workstream, ensuring all outputs are fit-for-purpose and meet transformation requirements Proactively identify and manage risks and issues at the programme level, taking swift action to ensure potential challenges with cross-Group or divisional impact are mitigated efficiently or escalated appropriately Drive delivery excellence across multiple finance initiatives simultaneously, maintaining momentum and focus despite competing priorities Work with Finance stakeholders to develop and maintain a milestone-based plan and track delivery to transformation timelines, escalating and removing blockers promptly Stakeholder Management & Communication Lead and manage communications with a broad and diverse set of stakeholders across the programme, including Group Finance team leads and coordination with finance change leads within the divisions Maintain transparency throughout the programme by aligning expectations and proactively addressing stakeholder needs Prepare and recommend formal readiness attestations for group finance workstreams, providing evidence of compliance with transformation standards and addressing identified risks Deliver clear, concise updates to senior leadership and programme governance forums, committing to plans where required Prepare prioritisation papers and concise executive summaries to set out options, trade-offs, risks and recommended actions Risk, Compliance & Controls Ensure all finance workstream activities meet transformation standards and internal governance frameworks Maintain comprehensive documentation and audit trails to support transformation readiness assessments What are we looking for? Required Experience & Skills Significant experience in finance transformation, programme management, or group finance delivery roles within complex organisations Experience implementing good practice planning, budgeting & forecasting procedures and how to use finance tools to support these Experience supporting period end financial reporting processes and accelerating month end close Strong understanding of finance operations, financial controls, and regulatory compliance requirements Proven track record of managing programmes with fixed deadlines and budget constraints Experience coordinating activities across multiple finance teams and divisions using influencing skills (without direct line management authority) Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with senior finance leadership. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and align diverse groups Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with keen attention to detail Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments to define structure and processes Desirable Experience Previous involvement in finance transformation programmes or similar strategic initiatives Background in financial services, insurance, or other regulated industries Experience working with Big Four accounting firms on transformation projects Knowledge of financial reporting requirements for complex organisations (IFRS, financial controls, etc.) Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or relevant finance qualification Experience with finance systems implementations or data remediation programmes Previous experience with OneStream or similar financial reporting systems is also advantageous. What do we offer in return? A career that you define. At Howden, we value diversity – there is no one Howden 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 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. Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term) Howden began in 1994, as just three people and a dog. Now there are 23,000 of us, and we're a leading global insurance group, managing $37bn of premiums for our clients. Our largest shareholder group is us – the people who work in the business – supported by three long-term, minority growth-equity partners who share our vision to build a business to last, one that will never be sold. The owner's mindset is something that's embedded in our culture; our people readily take ownership of their decisions, their actions, and their outputs. They’re invested in every sense. And we all know that by working together to drive the business forward, everyone will benefit from the extraordinary results we can achieve.