Senior Legal Counsel (equity incentives)

Who are we? 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.

What is the role? Howden is a leading global insurance group with a unique employee ownership model and a strong entrepreneurial culture. As we continue our rapid growth and prepare for a potential IPO, we are seeking an equity incentives lawyer to join our in-house legal team. This is a role for a lawyer with experience in US and UK equity compensation, who can help shape our global equity incentives strategy in line with our growth ambitions.

What will you be doing?

• Lead legal support for the design, implementation, and governance of global equity incentive plans, with a particular focus on US and UK equity incentives.
• Draft and negotiate plan documentation.
• Advising on, and negotiating the terms of, the equity arrangements of new hires and leavers.
• Clearly communicate with senior management and provide guidance on equity incentives.
• Partner with HR, finance, and external advisors to ensure compliant rollouts of equity plans across multiple jurisdictions.
• Advise on Howden’s internal share offerings.
• Advise on equity-related matters in corporate transactions.
• Monitor and interpret legal, tax, and regulatory developments affecting employee incentives globally, especially in the UK, US and EU.
• Support employee communications and education around equity participation.
• Contribute to broader group legal initiatives, including governance, compliance, and corporate structuring.

What are we looking for?

Requirements:

• Qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent) or US-qualified attorney.
• 5+ years of post-qualification experience, with a strong focus on US equity compensation structures and UK share schemes.
• Experience advising on equity matters in the context of M&A and/or IPO preparation.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers.
• Commercial mindset with a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.

Desirable:

• Previous in-house experience in a high-growth or pre-IPO environment.
• Familiarity with SEC compliance and US securities law as it relates to equity compensation.
• Experience working in or advising the insurance or financial services sector.

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.