Associate Director in London

The Role

Grow and retain profitable business, acting as a key representative of Howden. The account executive will assist with complex placements and high‑value accounts, liaising with clients, producing brokers and placing brokers to ensure new business, renewal and mid‑term requirements are fully understood and effectively met through suitable cover, appropriate pricing and excellent service. The role has no direct line‑management responsibilities, but as a senior member of the team may mentor or guide others where appropriate.

What You’ll Do

• Plan and report on execution of team strategy aligned to the business plan and objectives.
• Assist in preparing and implementing the team’s tactical plan, reflecting key priorities across the wider business.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to grow the business, actively monitoring the market to meet or exceed targets.
• Monitor and forecast renewal and new‑business activity to aid effective planning and resourcing.
• Set own (and, where appropriate, others’) work priorities to ensure objectives are met or exceeded.
• Participate in team meetings, providing business‑progress reports.
• Manage assigned projects and contribute to other initiatives, delivering relevant management information.
• Design innovative and profitable insurance structures and marketing strategies for allocated clients, ensuring placement meets stakeholder requirements.
• Collaborate with teammates to plan the most appropriate broking solutions for client demands.
• Negotiate with markets to balance quality, service and price.
• Create comprehensive client and broking documents, where appropriate.
• Produce accurate, timely reports for team and division management.
• Assist with development of new business opportunities and analyze requests for proposals (RFPs).
• Share technical knowledge with junior members.
• Gather market intelligence to keep the company’s product offering up to date and relevant.
• Support a positive risk‑management culture by analyzing and advising on insurance aspects of client contractual documents.
• Ensure documentation and communications adhere to company procedures and provide an adequate audit trail.
• Contribute to administrative processes, liaising with operations to maintain compliant workflows and service levels.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring service delivery meets expectations and is compliant.
• Collaborate with underwriters to achieve positive business results.
• Maintain knowledge of market dynamics, identifying risks and opportunities, and share insights across the group.
• Mentor junior staff, supporting recruitment when requested, and pursue personal development to maintain best‑practice standards.
• Stay updated on external, industry, legal and regulatory developments that affect practice and outputs.

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

• Solid experience as an account executive or similar client‑facing/broking role in insurance.
• Advanced understanding of insurance principles, general and legal, and market awareness including competitors and territory knowledge.
• Strong grasp of regulatory environments and relevant requirements.
• In‑depth knowledge of relevant wordings and product area expertise.
• Understanding of team objectives and how own role contributes.
• Proficient with relevant systems and company policies.
• Customer‑focused approach with excellent communication and influencing skills.
• Management skills – coaching, mentoring, consultative and collaborative.
• High numeracy and literacy.
• Highly organised, with strong planning, time‑management and detail orientation.
• Ability to work flexibly to meet tight deadlines and adapt positively to change.
• Team player, resilient under pressure and adept at building sustainable relationships.
• Analytical, problem‑solving, with a proactive mindset.
• GSCE Maths and English (or equivalent); A‑levels or tertiary degree preferred.
• Professional qualification (ACII or equivalent) or evidence of significant progress toward LLMIT, where relevant.

Benefits

• Opportunity to define your own career path within a global insurance group.
• Dedication to diversity and inclusion – Howden does not have a single employee type; success depends on endeavour.
• Reasonable adjustments for individuals with differing needs.
• Hybrid and flexible working options where available.
• Supportive culture that values meaningful work, sustainability, volunteering and career progression.
• Opportunity to work with a 24,000‑strong international team across 56 countries.

Who We’re Looking For

Individuals who share Howden’s values of innovation, collaboration, and ownership, and who thrive in a supportive yet high‑performance environment. Howden is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.