Head of Enterprise Risk Management

Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. 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 18,000 employees spanning over 100 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.

Howden is undergoing exceptional growth and is looking for a dynamic and driven professional to join our newly established Group Technology Risk team as the Head of Enterprise Risk Management. This permanent role, based in the City of London, offers a unique opportunity to shape and lead the Enterprise Risk Management function within a global organisation. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and executing robust risk management strategies and reporting frameworks across the Technology Risk function. This includes ensuring that all technology-related risks are effectively identified, assessed, and mitigated, while delivering clear and comprehensive risk insights to senior leadership and key stakeholders. This is a senior-level position that requires close collaboration with regional and global teams, including C-suite executives. Success in this role will be defined by the ability to embed mature risk and control practices across the organisation, elevate risk standards, and deliver a consolidated, group-wide view of technology risk. Please note that this is a full-time, permanent role based in our Central London office. Following a hybrid work pattern, you are expected to be onsite 3 days per week on average.

What will you be doing?

• Design and implement enterprise-wide risk management strategies, policies, and performance metrics aligned with Howden’s strategic objectives.
• Work with the relevant teams and individuals to identify, assess, and manage technology-related risks, including cybersecurity, compliance, and operational risks, across the organisation.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive risk reporting frameworks, delivering timely insights and updates to senior leadership and stakeholders.
• Monitor and adjust the organisation’s risk appetite to ensure alignment with strategic goals and regulatory expectations.
• Establish robust methodologies for measuring and analysing technology risks, including residual risk evaluations and control effectiveness.
• Oversee issue reporting and resolution processes to ensure timely mitigation of risk-related concerns.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure a unified and proactive approach to risk management.
• Stay current with industry best practices and regulatory developments to continuously enhance the risk management framework.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the executive team, contributing to high-level decision-making and regular reporting to the board of directors.
• Lead and develop a high-performing risk management team, with a focus on mentoring, training, and succession planning.

What are we looking for?

• Significant experience in risk management, ideally within the insurance or financial services sector.
• A strong understanding of technology risk and its implications for business operations.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership abilities.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

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.