Finance Business Partner in London

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.

Howden is seeking an experienced Finance Business Partner to join our Finance team. This role involves supporting the Corporate Services department, as well as contributing to the development of finance initiatives, including financial modelling, upgrading reporting, and providing insights to enable decision-making capability. Our Finance team works closely with departments to analyse financial performance and inform decision-making through reporting, analysis, and planning. These insights are integral to the Group's deliverables for senior executives, the Board, and investors, focusing on Key Financial Performance Indicators (KPIs). Success in this role requires a strong grasp of business drivers, collaboration with departments, ability to bridge the gap between finance and the business, and a commitment to delivering high quality outcomes and driving continuous improvement.

Please note that this is a full-time, permanent role based in our Central London office. Following a hybrid work pattern, you are expected to be onsite 2-3 days per week on average.

You will leverage strong financial business partnering and analysis skills to partner with senior stakeholders, enabling insightful decision-making across HGS which will include:

• Supporting assigned department to understand their cost base and support decision-making through insights.
• Delivering month-end, quarter-end, forecasting and budgeting requirements as needed.
• Maintaining and updating accurate financials to reflect true business performance.
• Experience of cost allocation methodologies and maintaining relevant models.
• Partner with the Real Estate team to provide financial insights that support property strategy, lease decisions, site selection, and portfolio optimisation.
• Monitor financial performance of ongoing projects, ensuring accurate capitalisation, cost tracking, and timely reporting.
• Track performance of Procurement initiatives and validate reported savings versus targets.
• Assisting with FP&A initiatives, including driver-based analysis and headcount tracking.
• Developing an in-depth understanding of the drivers of the business and their impact on KPIs.
• Collaborating closely with Group FP&A to support discussions on business performance and required actions.
• Working with your Senior Finance Business Partner and colleagues in the wider HGS team to ensure Group deliverables effectively reflect the key messages for your assigned departments(s).
• Contributing financial expertise as part of the FP&A team to support decision-making and planning.
• Identifying and addressing financial systems, processes, and reporting needs within the business.
• Providing high-level reports and delivering presentations to Management Committees or similar groups, interpreting findings and performing detailed analysis when necessary.
• Investigating complex problems and major business changes to assess risks and ensure successful project delivery.
• Promoting a culture of individual accountability through a performance management approach that aligns personal goals with functional and business objectives.
• Embracing a change-driven mindset to foster a continuous improvement culture and actively contributing to the change agenda.
• Handling ad hoc project work as directed by the Financial Controller and Finance Director.

A finance professional with 3+ years as a qualified accountant, either in professional services or corporate, experienced in business partnering and commentary preparation, financial modelling alongside a broader FP&A role, including reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and other similar related responsibilities. Self-starter who is comfortable working autonomously and as part of a team, with the ability to identify and lead on new initiatives when necessary. Knowledge of insurance market processes and their relevance to the Finance Business Partner role is desirable. Experience partnering with Real Estate (Property) and Corporate Operations (Business Continuity, Hospitality, Procurement, Sustainability and Travel), with an understanding of how these departments support the wider Group. Previous experience with OneStream and Unit 4 or a similar financial recording system is also advantageous.

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.

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.