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’s Climate Risk & Resilience (CRR) team is a growing and forward-thinking part of our business. We bring together expertise in business strategy, risk management, financial markets, and climate science to help our clients understand their climate risks, strengthen their resilience, and leverage insurance solutions to safeguard their future.

As a Personal Assistant, you will provide dedicated support to a nominated executive manager, while also offering occasional assistance to the wider Climate Risk and Resilience team. Your role will involve contributing to a variety of initiatives within the team, including marketing, communications, event coordination, etc.

Please note that this is role is initially structured as a 12-month FTC (maternity cover). Following a hybrid work pattern, the expectation is for you to be onsite 3-4 days per week.

What will you be doing?

Planning and Reporting:

Lead assigned projects and support other projects as needed.

Provide relevant management information to senior management.

Prepare documentation for Board and Committee meetings.

Schedule Management:

Maintain and handle the personal and work diaries of executives.

Organise meetings, presentations, speaking engagements, venue bookings, and catering.

Coordinate local and international travel arrangements, including visas, insurance, and itineraries.

Ensure effective time planning and provide weekly timetables in advance.

Provide support to the wider team where required.

Information Preparation:

Prepare and format letters, memos, reports, presentations, and data compilations.

Write reports, transcribe dictation, edit and proofread documents, and conduct internet research.

Ensure all documents are professionally formatted and error-free.

Design and distribute the monthly Climate Risk and Resilience bulletin using Salesforce.

Customer Focus and Relationships:

Develop strong relationships with the executive team, their direct reports, and other Executive Assistants.

Behave ethically and fairly with all clients, both internal and external.

Share beneficial information with the Operating Entity/Group.

Maintain relationships with preferred suppliers, such as hotels, conferencing services, taxi services, and restaurants.

Negotiate the best balance of quality, service, and price.

General Support:

Handle expense records, claims, and invoice processing.

Organise email systems and maintain up-to-date records.

Address urgent issues promptly and appropriately.

Organise internal events and support external events

Handle logistical details and coordinate with vendors.

What are we looking for?

Previous experience in a PA or Office Manager role.

Highly motivated, organised, and able to work effectively in a dynamic team.

Proactive with strong attention to detail.

Excellent prioritisation and organisational skills.

Strong project management skills.

Competent IT skills, especially in Microsoft Office Suite.

Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.

Ability to handle confidential matters appropriately.

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.

Fixed Term Contract (Fixed Term)