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- 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 strong market presence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing strategy and delivering complex client opportunities.
- Qualifications: Extensive RFP management experience and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for 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 employer: Howden Re
Contact Detail:
Howden Re Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land RFP Director
✨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 RFP Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Howden Re and understanding their unique approach to reinsurance. We want to see your passion for innovation and how you can contribute to their mission. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past experiences, highlight how you've coached teams and driven successful RFPs. We love to see candidates who can inspire others and elevate the quality of work within a team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. We appreciate candidates who take the time to express their gratitude and reiterate their interest in the role. It shows initiative and professionalism!
We think you need these skills to ace RFP Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the RFP Director role. Highlight your experience in leading complex RFPs and how you've driven strategic initiatives in previous positions. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes in RFP management. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact. This helps us understand how you can contribute to our mission at Howden Re.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value a vibrant workplace culture, so don’t hesitate to express your passion for innovation and collaboration. Show us why you’re excited about joining Howden Re!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howden Re
✨Know Your RFP Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the RFP process and how it applies to the reinsurance industry. Familiarise yourself with Howden Re's approach and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of creating bespoke solutions.
✨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, focusing on your ability to provide structured feedback and raise performance levels. Highlight any specific achievements that demonstrate your leadership style.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you balance immediate delivery with long-term impact. Think of examples where you've developed win strategies for complex RFPs and how you've ensured consistency across multiple projects. This will show your capability to think strategically while executing effectively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong stakeholder management is key for this role. Prepare to talk about how you've engaged with senior business leaders in previous roles. Share specific instances where your influencing skills made a difference in project outcomes, as this will resonate well with Howden Re's collaborative culture.