Client Services & Operations Support Assistant

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 jobholder will carry out a range of broking and technical duties to support the Client Service and Operations teams ensuring that their activities are completed in accordance with the relevant Company and/or Group policies.

What you’ll do

• Under the direction of Line Manager and other senior colleagues, determines priorities and activities to achieve both business and personal goals.
• Manages assigned projects and contributes to other projects as required.
• Provides relevant management information as required by senior management.
• Carrying out pre-renewal tasks and creating a robust document trail in accordance with set parameters for scheme and open market business.
• Providing a post-renewal service to finalise clients' placement and all associated actions with responsibility for diary and follow-ups as required.
• This will include but not be limited to, ERN chasers, Subjectivity chasers, Claims LOGS, chasing of final documents from insurers.
• Assisting with Mid Term adjustments as required.
• Preparation of claims reports.
• Respond to the department's requirements as appropriate.
• Responds to clients (internal and external) as appropriate.
• Behaves with all clients (internal and external) fairly and ethically.
• Ongoing management of aged debt.
• Management of return of client money.
• Management of accounts queries and corrections.
• Setting up and management of Premium Finance loans.
• Management of timely debiting and liaising with central Invoice processing team on queries for Open Market Preparation of month-end invoicing due diligence.
• Maintenance of data on prospecting system.
• Prospecting system super user.
• Robust knowledge of SCP systems and controls.
• Management of SCP queries within the broking teams.
• Data input of Contract Certainty.
• Input and review of FCA Classifications and other regulatory data points.
• Highlighting of upcoming Vulnerable Customers and associated actions.
• Ensures compliance of self and direct reports (if any) with all applicable legal, fiscal and regulatory obligations in the form of policies and procedures.
• Ensures correct authorisation is obtained and processes followed when required by the Operating Entity and/or Group.
• Ensures performance, HR and T&C records are up to date and meet the Operating Entity and/or Group’s requirements (which will include those of direct reports if any).
• Maintains accurate records and deals with correspondence appropriately.
• Operates in an honest, professional and ethical manner.
• Strictly adheres to the Group Employee Code of Conduct.
• Completes all relevant regulatory training.
• Responsibility for quality of data input.
• Resource to input or correct data as required by the business.
• System testing support, policy migration and crisis management support in relation to IT projects and deployments.

Who we’re looking for

• Experience not essential, training will be given. However, preference will be given to applicants who have some experience of working in an office environment in an administrative capacity and a desire to work in insurance.
• Understanding of processes and procedures within the insurance market.
• Attention to detail with the ability to produce accurate documentation and to file documents appropriately.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Good prioritisation and organisational skills.
• Self-motivated.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders.
• GCSEs (or equivalent) including mathematics and English Language essential.
• Technically proficient in MS Office software, including Word and Excel.
• Commitment to work towards CII Qualifications.

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.

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.