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?
We are seeking an ambitious, highly organised and purpose-driven individual to serve as the Chief of Staff to the Group General Counsel.
This is a unique opportunity to work directly with the Group GC and gain unparalleled insights into the inner workings of a hugely successful business and a global legal and secretariat practice. This role will be instrumental in supporting the Group GC on a day-to-day basis with various coordination, presentation and development of executive/board material, team communication, advice to the business and project-related activities and initiatives. The role holder will need to be ready to immerse themselves into the fast-paced nature of our business and the legal and governance issues that permeate throughout it.
You will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience that fosters continuous growth and development. We expect you to demonstrate strong analytical skills, an ability to quickly assimilate complex facts, a broad understanding of legal concepts and governance principles, a keen ability to solve problems in the moment, and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. With a creative and curious mindset, you will embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities for success.
What will you be doing?
At a strategic level, the Group GC is seeking support in driving business management and overseeing key project management initiatives to help create the legal function of the future that is respected and valued by the business.
Business Management Support Includes:
Assist with the development of vision, strategy, and strategic plansSupport legal risk management on a global basisSupport agenda setting for various key leadership meetings and eventsAssist in preparing and organising materials for meetings, presentations, and executive/bard reports, ensuring clarity and impactWhen required, serve as a liaison between the Group GC, various business units and divisions, facilitating communication and collaboration across functions and the teamCollaborate with finance, risk and corporate affairs teams to prepare content and materials for Group GC communications and presentationsProject management includes:
Lead and manage strategic projects as assigned by the Group GC, ensuring successful execution and alignment with organisational prioritiesConduct targeted analyses (e.g. legal, financial, competitor, market) to support decision-making and provide actionable insights for the Group GCServe as the primary point of contact for the Group GC on cross-functional projects, facilitating coordination and managing deliverables across the leadership team to ensure timely and effective outcomesWhat are we looking for?
Legally qualified with a proven background in strategy development and project managementExperience in the insurance industry is essentialExceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levelsStrong analytical abilities with a solid understanding of financial dataProven problem-solving skills, with a focus on actionable, results-driven solutionsExpertise in writing executive and board papers, proposals, and presentations that effectively communicate complex ideas, legal advice and strategiesComfortable interacting with senior executives, including C-level leaders, and confidently navigating executive-level discussionsQuick to adapt and able to hit the ground running in dynamic environments with complex facts and divergent opinionsA self-starter with a results-oriented mindset, demonstrating a strong bias for action and accountabilityExcellent in building and nurturing relationships across the businessWhat 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 adjustmentsWe'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.
*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.
Permanent