Divisional Director

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.

The Sport team has delivered exceptional growth over the 5 years, and we are now looking for an experienced, client-facing Divisional Director to join the team and take ownership of a portfolio of large, complex retail clients. We need someone who can hit the ground running on day one, managing existing relationships with some of the biggest names in international and domestic sport.

What you'll do

• Act as lead relationship and account director for a portfolio of large, complex retail clients, including major international and national sporting bodies.
• Own and manage the end-to-end client relationship, ensuring service delivery meets client expectations and contractual requirements.
• Work closely with the wider Sport & Entertainment team to plan and deliver the most appropriate broking solutions for each client's needs.
• Contribute to the production of Request for Proposal/Tender documents and support the team's participation in new RFPs.
• Negotiate with markets to secure the best balance of quality, service and price for clients.
• Provide technical input and guidance to support and coach more junior members of the team.
• Work collaboratively with regional business colleagues to ensure a joined-up approach to client service.
• Where appropriate, contribute to business development and new business opportunities, in support of the wider team's BD effort.
• Maintain accurate management information and contribute to reporting on account performance as required.
• Keep up to date with market, regulatory and client developments relevant to the sport sector.

Who we're looking for

• Proven track record as a retail client-facing broker, account executive, or client director, ideally with experience of large, complex accounts.
• A genuine self-starter who can take ownership of senior client relationships immediately, with no requirement for extended ramp-up time.
• Experience managing high-value, high-profile client relationships in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong technical insurance knowledge, with a detailed understanding of relevant wordings and coverage issues.
• Passionate about client service, with the credibility and gravitas to operate at a senior level with major organisations.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Comfortable working flexibly and collaboratively across a small team and wider regional network.
• Experience in or strong affinity with the sport and entertainment sector is an advantage.

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.