Project Finance Graduate Analyst

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 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.

The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a graduate to join Howden’s Lenders’ Insurance Advisory (LIA) team. The LIA team provide insurance due diligence and advisory services to financiers of structured finance transactions, worldwide. The team core sectors of focus include energy transition, infrastructure and real estate. The LIA team has achieved exceptional growth since its inception in 2023 and are looking for a driven, organised, and personable graduate who is keen to learn and support the continued growth of the business. This is a great opportunity to join a high‑growth team and gain exposure to a wide range of market‑leading clients, including top‑tier investment banks, law firms, sponsors/developers, and financial advisors. From day one, you’ll be working closely with experienced professionals and building a strong understanding of the insurance market within structured finance and lending. The LIA team sits within Global Financial Sponsors; a recently established team focused on supporting the insurance needs of Private Equity clients. This role offers excellent learning opportunities, hands‑on experience, and clear scope for development as the team continues to expand.

What you'll do

• Study towards the Chartered Insurance Institute Advanced Diploma in Insurance (ACII) alongside your work. Study days are granted for each exam period.
• Work closely with senior team members to develop insurance and technical knowledge, to train up to become a fully-fledged Lenders’ Insurance Advisor. This will be through a mix of practical and 1-2-1 based learning.
• Assist with the drafting of insurance due diligence reports and the review of project documentation.
• Liaise with insurance brokers, lawyers, lenders and sponsors on projects financings to tackle issues and protect the interests of lenders.
• Utilise your data analysis skills to review data and present actionable insights.
• Contribute to the team’s business development activities, including attending industry events and conferences.
• Working closely with our Client Engagement team to manage responses to new opportunities and RfPs.
• Work with colleagues across Global Financial Sponsors and the Howden Group on joint initiatives e.g. thought leadership, internal projects and cross-selling initiatives.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and other stakeholders, attending meetings as needed.
• Support projects and collaborate with colleagues to deliver results that benefit our clients.

Who we're looking for

• No experience in insurance or finance is required; we'll teach you everything you need to know!
• Recent graduates or final years studying towards any degree background.
• A 2:1 grade (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential. We look for potential and willingness to learn.
• An interest in the role that insurance and finance have in the energy transition.
• Strong data analysis skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Critical thinkers who thrive on solving problems practically, not just in theory.
• Good written and verbal communication skills and comfortable presenting to individuals at all levels.
• Able to communicate complex topics to non-technical audiences that aids decision making.
• Intellectually curious individuals who enjoy problem solving.
• Team players who thrive on collaborating with others.
• Proactive individuals who take ownership of the tasks assigned to them and manage their workload effectively alongside studies.

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. 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.