Chief of Staff - Group COO

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.

We are seeking an ambitious, highly organised and purpose-driven individual to serve as the Chief of Staff to the Group Chief Operating Officer.

This is a unique opportunity to work directly with the Group COO and gain unparalleled insights into the inner workings of a hugely successful business. This role will be instrumental in supporting the Group COO on a day-to-day basis with various coordination, presentation and Board material development, communication and project-related activities. The role holder will need to be ready to immerse themselves into the fast-paced nature of our business.

You will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience that fosters continuous growth and development. We expect you to demonstrate strong analytical skills, a keen ability to solve problems on the fly, and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. With a mindset of innovation and curiosity, you will embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities for success.

What you’ll do 

At a strategic level, the Group COO is seeking support in driving business management and overseeing key project management initiatives.

Business Management Support Includes:

• Assist with the development of vision, strategy, and strategic plans
• Support agenda setting for various key governance forums and leadership meetings
• Assist in preparing and organising materials for meetings, presentations, and executive reports, ensuring clarity and impact
• When required serve as a liaison between the Group COO and various business units, facilitating communication and collaboration across functions
• Collaborate with finance and marketing teams to prepare content and materials for Group COO communications and presentations

Project management includes:

• Lead and manage strategic projects as assigned by the Group COO, ensuring successful execution and alignment with organisational priorities
• Conduct targeted analyses (e.g. financial, competitor, market) to support decision-making and provide actionable insights for the Group COO
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Group COO on cross-functional projects, facilitating coordination and managing deliverables across the leadership team to ensure timely and effective outcomes

Who we’re looking for 

• Extensive consulting experience or a proven background in strategy development and project management
• Experience in the insurance industry is essential
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Strong analytical abilities with a solid understanding of financial data and performance metrics
• Proven problem-solving skills, with a focus on actionable, results-driven solutions
• Expertise in writing business cases, proposals, and presentations that effectively communicate complex ideas and strategies
• Comfortable interacting with senior executives, including C-level leaders, and confidently navigating executive-level discussions
• Quick to adapt and able to hit the ground running in dynamic environments
• A self-starter with a results-oriented mindset, demonstrating a strong bias for action and accountability
• Excellent in building and nurturing relationships across the business

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