Executive Assistant

Company Overview

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. We collaborate as a powerful international team of 24,000 employees across 56 countries, driven by a shared passion and no‑limits mindset. Our culture encourages work/life balance, career progression, sustainability and volunteering, keeping employees engaged for years.

The Role

The Executive Assistant (EA) provides high‑level, strategic, and operational support to the Managing Director of one of the broking pillars. The role enables effective leadership by managing priorities, governance, and executive coordination, acting as a trusted partner across planning, delivery and decision‑making.

Responsibilities

• Own end‑to‑end executive support, ensuring time, focus and priorities align with business objectives.
• Manage complex diaries, calendars and meeting schedules, anticipating conflicts and proactively resolving issues.
• Coordinate meetings end‑to‑end, including agenda planning, booking logistics, minute‑taking and follow‑up actions.
• Prepare briefing materials and clear supporting documents for internal and external meetings.
• Support preparation of quarterly results meetings, coordinating inputs, materials and key messages.
• Create, review and refine PowerPoint presentations for internal and external audiences.
• Arrange and manage travel, expenses and related administration with accuracy and efficiency.
• Act as a key partner on strategic initiatives, tracking actions, risks and delivery across agreed priorities.
• Organise strategy days, off‑sites and leadership sessions, managing logistics to support effective outcomes.
• Liaise with senior stakeholders to progress actions, maintain momentum and ensure follow‑through on decisions.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, sound judgement and professionalism.
• Operate proactively, using initiative to anticipate needs, solve problems and improve ways of working.

Qualifications

• Proven experience supporting a Managing Director or senior executive in a complex, fast‑paced business environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing diaries, meetings, travel, expenses and executive coordination at a senior level.
• Experience preparing executive‑level presentations, briefings and papers for internal and external audiences.
• Evidence of supporting strategic projects, business priorities or leadership initiatives beyond day‑to‑day administration.
• Experience engaging confidently with senior stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• Track record of working with autonomy, discretion and sound judgement in handling confidential matters.
• Evidence of being proactive and committed, with the ability to anticipate needs and take initiative.
• Strong written and verbal English, with the ability to communicate information clearly and effectively.
• Good numeracy skills, comfortable working with figures, data or performance information.
• A relevant business, administration or professional qualification is desirable.

Benefits

A career you define, where you can shape your role and progress at your pace. Howden supports diversity, encourages innovation, and values the small everyday moments as well as the bigger challenges. We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to providing accommodations to ensure the role aligns with your needs. Adjustments may include software, IT, office setups, flexible hours or hybrid working, where possible. If you have doubts about suitability, let us know, and we will assist with any reasonable adjustments you may require. Note: not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations.