At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the bridge between IT and business, driving tech solutions and innovation.
- Company: Join Howden, a global insurance group with a unique employee-owned culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working, career growth, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by aligning technology with business needs and driving transformation.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and experience in stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
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.
Role Overview
We are looking for an IT Business Partner to act as the primary link between the IT Function and the Howden Retail Commercial business. The position is responsible for aligning IT services and innovation with business needs, ensuring smooth delivery of technology solutions, and driving value through governance, integration, and transformation initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the main point of contact between the Commercial Pillar and IT, ensuring alignment on strategy and priorities.
- Oversee IT changes within Commercial and manage integration of systems and processes for acquired entities.
- Support major transformation programmes by ensuring proper setup, adoption, and delivery against agreed business cases.
- Develop and maintain a technology roadmap for Commercial, influence demand, and secure investment cases backed by adoption and value assurance plans.
- Drive innovation and explore opportunities to enhance processes through technology, including AI.
- Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, and internal policies.
- Communicate progress and updates to senior stakeholders and engage with teams to gather feedback and improve service delivery.
- Coordinate IT delivery for strategic projects and maintain strong collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
- Travel within the UK as required (up to 50%).
Skills & Experience
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Ability to manage business demand for IT services and shape technology strategy.
- Experience in developing business cases and overseeing adoption plans.
- Solid project and risk management capabilities.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance and IT governance.
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.
Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.
IT Business Partner employer: Howden Group
At Howden, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions employee ownership and collaboration across our global team. With a strong focus on career progression, work/life balance, and innovation, we empower our IT Business Partners to drive meaningful change while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. Join us in a role where your contributions are valued, and be part of a community dedicated to making a positive impact both at work and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Business Partner
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Howden Group values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Howden Group might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Howden Group!
✨Direct Apply to Howden Group
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Howden Group website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Howden Group.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Howden Group. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howden Group
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
