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 24,000 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.

The HR Business Partner – International

The HR Business Partner – International will work closely with and provide day-to-day support to the HR Lead for International helping to improve the overall HR service and elevate business partnering across our international offices. This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role for an experienced HR generalist who is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves on operational HR matters and building credible, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple countries.

You will act as a key point of contact for managers and employees outside the UK, bringing strong knowledge of employment legislation and market practice across Europe (and ideally further afield) to ensure we operate compliantly and competitively in every jurisdiction in which we do business.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with the HR team to design and deliver an improved HR operating model and service across our international locations.
• Act as a trusted business partner to leaders and managers outside the UK, providing pragmatic, commercially-minded HR advice and coaching.
• Provide expert guidance on local employment law, statutory requirements and market practice across multiple European jurisdictions, escalating and managing local legal/HR advisor relationships where needed.
• Lead and support end-to-end employee relations casework (grievances, disciplinaries, performance management, restructures) across different countries, ensuring compliant and consistent handling.
• Support international recruitment and onboarding, working with the Talent Acquisition Team, hiring managers and external partners to attract and integrate talent in new and existing markets.
• Manage or support cross-border HR projects, including harmonisation of policies, contracts, benefits and HR processes across jurisdictions.
• Own or contribute to core HR cycle activities internationally — performance management, salary review, bonus process, talent and succession planning.
• Advise on and help implement compliant approaches to entering new territories (e.g. employer of record arrangements, local entity set-up considerations, TUPE and cross-border transfers).
• Build strong working relationships with local HR, finance, legal and compliance teams to ensure HR practice aligns with broader regulatory obligations relevant to a reinsurance broking business.
• Use HR data and metrics to identify trends, risks and opportunities across the international employee population, and translate these into recommendations.
• Maintain oversight of local employment documentation, employee handbook requirements and policy governance across international jurisdictions, ensuring ongoing legal compliance and alignment with group standards.
• Champion best practice, consistency and continuous improvement in HR processes, documentation and systems across all jurisdictions.
• Support wider HR initiatives such as engagement, DEI, wellbeing and organisational design as the international business scales.