RFP Director in London

RFP Director in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Howden Re

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and transform the global RFP function, driving strategy and execution.
  • Company: Join Howden Re, a dynamic global reinsurance broker focused on innovation.
  • Benefits: Shape your career in a high-growth environment with exciting opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing strategy and working on complex client opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Extensive RFP management experience and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on personal and professional development.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.

At Howden Re, we're on a mission to do things differently. Our no silo approach, elite team, and clear focus on innovation and relentless execution means our clients are at the heart of all we do. As a big 4 global reinsurance broker, we deliberately avoid the one‑size‑fits‑all approach, committing to creating bespoke solutions that address the unique challenges of a modern and dynamic marketplace. Our team is empowered to drive progress, creating opportunities for career and personal development, unlocking new value for clients, fostering long‑term partnerships, and using the collective power of Howden to change how the world sees risk and insurance.

When you join Howden Re, you become part of a vibrant and entrepreneurial workplace culture that prioritises collaboration, ownership, and shared success. Here, your contributions will directly impact our mission to be the global partner of choice in reinsurance and strategic advisory. Be a part of Howden Re's exciting journey. Together, we are shaping the future of reinsurance.

Howden Re is building a Global RFP Function to support continued growth across our global treaty and facultative divisions. This function is essential to our production lifecycle – how we scale, differentiate and win in an increasingly competitive market.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced RFP Director to play a key role in shaping and embedding this function. This is a hands‑on senior role requiring someone who can operate across strategy and execution, delivering complex opportunities while building long‑term capability. This role will help ensure our RFP approach fully supports and accelerates our growth trajectory.

What will you be doing?

  • Build, Scale & Transform the RFP Function
  • Support the design and build of a global RFP function, establishing scalable processes and standards
  • Drive the transition to a centralised, value‑adding RFP model
  • Embed consistent ways of working across regions, aligned to global strategy
  • Balancing Delivery with Long‑Term Impact
    • Deliver against immediate priorities while maintaining focus on strategic objectives
    • Ensure short‑term actions support long‑term capability and consistency
    • Drive continuous improvement across processes, tools and outputs
  • Strategic RFP Management & Delivery
    • Lead complex, multi‑product and multi‑regional RFPs from qualification through to submission and client interaction
    • Develop clear, differentiated win strategies aligned to client needs and market positioning
    • Maintain oversight across multiple RFPs, ensuring consistency, pace and delivery discipline
    • Step into live opportunities where required to drive quality and clarity
    • Identify risks, gaps and issues early and implement effective mitigation strategies
    • Ensure strong governance across timelines, inputs and deliverables
    • Support prioritisation and RFP/no‑RFP decision making
    • Ensure the right expertise is deployed at each stage of the RFP lifecycle
    • Provide clear guidance to stakeholders and align teams around a shared objective of winning new business and retaining existing clients
  • Team Leadership, Coaching & Quality
    • Lead, coach and develop the London‑based RFP team
    • Conduct reviews and provide clear, actionable feedback to raise standards
    • Embed best practice in storyboarding, proposal writing and presentation
    • Role model high‑quality delivery and collaborative behaviours

    Why join Howden Re?

    • Opportunity to shape and build a global RFP function
    • Influence strategy, ways of working and delivery across multiple regions
    • Exposure to high‑profile, complex client opportunities
    • Be part of a high‑growth business with a clear ambition and strong market position

    What skills are we looking for?

    • Extensive experience in RFP, proposal, or pursuit/capture management, ideally within (re)insurance, financial services or consulting
    • Proven track record leading large, complex, multi‑product and multi‑regional RFPs from qualification through to submission and client interaction
    • Strong experience in storyboarding, proposal writing and presentation development, with the ability to guide others to a high standard
    • Demonstrated ability to coach, develop and lead teams, with experience providing structured feedback and raising performance levels
    • Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior business leaders
    • Strong project management capability, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines and stakeholders effectively
    • Familiarity with RFP / proposal management tools (e.g. Loopio, RFPIO, Qvidian or similar)

    Desirable

    • Exposure to global operating models & regional nuances
    • Relevant professional certifications in proposal or bid management (e.g. APMP Practitioner or Professional level)

    RFP Director in London employer: Howden Re

    At Howden Re, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and entrepreneurial workplace culture that champions collaboration and shared success. As an RFP Director, you will have the unique opportunity to shape a global RFP function, driving innovation and strategic growth while being part of a high-growth business that values your contributions and supports your professional development. With a commitment to bespoke solutions and a focus on empowering our team, Howden Re is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the reinsurance sector.
    Howden Re

    Contact Detail:

    Howden Re Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land RFP Director in London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching Howden Re and understanding their unique approach. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission, so think about how your skills align with our goals and be ready to share specific examples.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. We’re looking for clarity and confidence, so the more you practice, the better you’ll perform when it counts.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. We appreciate candidates who take the time to express their interest and keep the conversation going.

    We think you need these skills to ace RFP Director in London

    RFP Management
    Proposal Writing
    Storyboarding
    Presentation Development
    Stakeholder Management
    Team Leadership
    Coaching and Development
    Project Management
    Multi-Product RFPs
    Multi-Regional RFPs
    Risk Identification and Mitigation
    Process Improvement
    Governance
    Familiarity with RFP Tools

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the RFP Director role. Highlight your experience in managing complex RFPs and how you've driven success in previous positions.

    Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've coached and developed teams, and how you’ve fostered collaboration to achieve common goals.

    Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: We want to see your ability to think strategically about RFP processes. Include instances where you've balanced immediate delivery with long-term objectives, and how you've implemented improvements in past roles.

    Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be reviewed by the right people who are excited to find someone like you to join our team!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Howden Re

    ✨Know Your RFP Inside Out

    Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the RFP role. Understand Howden Re's unique approach to reinsurance and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to create bespoke solutions. This shows you’re not just interested in any job, but specifically in contributing to their innovative culture.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    As an RFP Director, you'll need to lead and coach a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to provide structured feedback and raise performance levels, as this will resonate well with their focus on collaboration and shared success.

    ✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

    Be ready to discuss how you balance immediate delivery with long-term impact. Share specific instances where you’ve developed win strategies for complex RFPs that align with client needs. This will illustrate your capability to think strategically while executing effectively, which is crucial for the role.

    ✨Engage with Their Culture

    Howden Re values a vibrant and entrepreneurial workplace. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for their collaborative culture and how you can contribute to it. Ask insightful questions about their team dynamics and how they foster innovation, showing that you’re keen to be part of their exciting journey.

    RFP Director in London
    Howden Re
    Location: London

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