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.

Role Overview 

We are seeking a strategic and experienced Head of Delivery Management (CDO) to lead and scale our team of Delivery Managers within the Data & Technology function. This role is pivotal in ensuring the successful delivery of complex, high-impact data initiatives across the organisation. You will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of delivery practices, while fostering a high-performing, agile culture. 

As a senior leader, you will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product, Engineering, and Business stakeholders, to ensure alignment, transparency, and value delivery across our data portfolio. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

Leadership & Strategy 

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Delivery Managers, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 

Define and evolve the delivery strategy, frameworks, and best practices across the Data & Technology function. 

Act as a senior escalation point for delivery risks, issues, and dependencies across multiple programmes and projects. 

Partner with senior stakeholders to align delivery outcomes with business goals and strategic priorities. 

Portfolio & Programme Oversight 

Oversee the delivery of a portfolio of data initiatives, ensuring they are delivered on time and to the expected quality. 

Drive consistency in delivery planning, reporting, and governance across all projects. 

Ensure robust risk management, dependency tracking, and resource planning across the portfolio. 

Champion the use of agile methodologies and tools to improve delivery efficiency and transparency. 

Operational Excellence 

Establish and maintain delivery KPIs and performance metrics to monitor team health and project success. 

Lead the continuous improvement of delivery processes, tooling, and standards. 

Ensure compliance with regulatory, data protection, and governance requirements. 

Collaborate with the Portfolio Manager and other senior leaders to optimise resource allocation and prioritisation. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including third-party vendors and delivery partners. 

Communicate delivery progress, risks, and outcomes effectively to executive leadership. 

Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to remove blockers and drive alignment. 

 

Skills & Experience 

Proven experience (8+ years) in delivery or programme management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role managing delivery teams. 

Strong background in delivering complex data and technology projects, ideally within regulated industries such as insurance or financial services. 

Deep understanding of Agile delivery methodologies and frameworks (e.g. Scrum, Kanban, SAFe). 

Demonstrable experience in portfolio management, resource planning, and performance tracking. 

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels. 

Experience with delivery tooling such as Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps, or similar. 

Knowledge of data platforms, data warehousing, and data governance is highly desirable. 

Familiarity with London Market insurance operations and regulatory frameworks is a plus. 

 

Attributes 

Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach. 

Strong leadership and coaching capabilities. 

Highly organised and analytical. 

Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment. 

Passionate about delivering value and driving change. 

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.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

Permanent