From day one, our mission has been to create an independent business with a unique culture – one that is controlled by the people who work for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people has always been key to our success.

People come to Howden for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

The Role

This specific role is for Howden Insurance Brokers Limited, the global specialty pillar of the group. This role will support monitoring activities and thematic reviews across Business Units within the Operating Entity, profiling teams and assessing against policies, procedures, systems and controls and governance, and providing reports with analysis of findings and recommendations. Also will ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of controls and metrics for all assigned responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Contributes to the development and implementation of the annual Monitoring Plan for the Operating Unit
• Determine own work priorities and activities in line with their agreed objectives to ensure the achievement of the Compliance Monitoring Plan, as well as the overall Annual Compliance Plan
• Take responsibility for the delivery of distinct elements of the Compliance Monitoring Framework and Compliance Monitoring Plan, as agreed with the Head of Compliance Monitoring
• Act as a point of liaison between the Business Units and other key contacts such as Operational Compliance Representatives (OCRs), Internal and External Audit, Heads of Operation etc. to identify their priorities and concerns. Ensures co-ordination within busy periods, such as combined reviews
• Identify and recommend opportunities to enhance the Compliance Monitoring Framework, including the development of efficient and innovative processes and reporting, to enable the early identification of compliance risks and the timely implementation of remedial action
• Participate in specific initiatives/projects to conduct research, and review and develop new ways of working
• Provide input into the plans of the wider Compliance Function in order to ensure these include appropriate considerations for delivery
• Manage delivery of assigned projects and contribute to other projects as required
• Provides relevant management information to senior management
• Meet all competency requirements by undertaking training and following agreed principles, policies, processes and procedures

Technical

• Support gap analysis for areas under review by assessing potential impacts, as well as providing advice and recommendations on how to improve/mitigate risks
• Support the scoping and performance of reviews e.g. reading relevant documents, sampling files, electronic records, carrying out interviews; in order to provide a robust picture of work activities and potential risks/gaps
• Enters findings from assessments onto spreadsheets/summary sheets/data bases to ensure consistency of approach, and confirms all relevant information is collected to create a full audit trail
• Prepares reports, capturing all key information and highlighting risks, priorities, and recommendations, presenting findings to senior management teams/OCRs in relevant areas
• Support the progression of reports to final stage, providing copies to relevant individuals/departments e.g. Heads of Departments and Corporate Forums
• Work with the other teams within the Compliance Function and the Business to ensure that the remedial action plans are addressed, tracking the completion of actions and periodically assessing progress
• Work closely with each of the other teams within the Compliance Function to identify any changes to regulatory or legislative requirements, ensuring that any monitoring activities or processes are updated accordingly
• Keeps informed of all regulatory and legal changes which impact the job role
• Ensures up to date records are maintained at all times on the Company systems
• Responds appropriately to urgent issues as they arise

Operations

• Assist and provide advice to the business regarding meeting central compliance standards, policies and procedures
• Assist other teams within the Compliance Function to develop and /or improve policies, procedures etc. to ensure that they support the organisation in complying with regulatory requirements
• Interprets instructions and issues arising, and then implements actions according to policies and procedures

Skills and Attributes

• Some knowledge and understanding of the FCA handbook – principles, rules and guidelines etc.
• Some knowledge and understanding of insurance, broking, principles, and products and services
• Some knowledge of risk management practices
• Commercial awareness and focus on the application of regulation within the insurance broking industry
• Analytical and problem solving mind-set
• Logical approach
• Collaborative, proactively sharing “what works best” with others across the Group
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Actively listens
• Influencing skills to secure buy-in from stakeholders
• Good planning, organisation, delivery and time management skills
• Able to prioritise effectively
• Strong conflict management skills
• Ability to articulate complex concepts simply

Qualifications

• University degree or recognised industry accreditation (desirable)

Our Culture: People First

We’ve travelled far since opening our first office in 1994. Back then we were local experts – based in London, with direct access to the world’s biggest insurance market. We’re still locals, and we still deliver the right advice and the right insurance to our clients. But now, we’re local all over the world. With 15,000 global colleagues and a partner network spanning more than 100 territories, we are the largest independent insurance broker in the world. But our values haven’t changed since day one, when we set out to create a company grounded in:

• An employee-ownership model
• Aligned external investors
• The trust and integrity born of friendship
• Expertise
• Independence

Our focus on being a people-first business has always been at the very heart of Howden. Our vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture; one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. Our employee ownership model sets us apart in the market. It’s created a culture of collaboration and innovation, where we’re driven to think bigger and empowered to challenge convention.

Our flat structure and entrepreneurial spirit help us attract the best people and empower them to be the best version of themselves. And when we bring in and nurture great talent, more follows. That makes us better – and that’s better for everyone.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Howden we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.