Business Development Executive

Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. 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 24,000 employees spanning over 56 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.

• Identify, prospect, and secure new commercial insurance clients across agreed sectors or target markets.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline aligned with monthly and annual revenue targets.
• Develop and execute structured prospecting strategies (referrals, networking, sector focus, introducers).
• Lead client meetings, fact-finds, and proposal presentations.
• Convert opportunities into profitable, sustainable accounts.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date pipeline reporting and forecasting.
• Track activity levels, conversion ratios, and revenue performance against targets.
• Work closely with the Head of Sales to review performance and refine strategy.
• Ensure smooth handover to Account Management teams where appropriate.
• Work in partnership with the Sales Support Executive to ensure efficient preparation of documentation, market submissions, and onboarding materials.
• Ensure high-quality and compliant proposal documentation is issued to clients.
• Provide clear direction and communication to support functions to maximise efficiency.
• Build strong relationships with insurers and underwriters to secure competitive terms.
• Stay informed on market conditions, pricing trends, and sector developments.
• Position Howden’s proposition clearly and confidently in the market.
• Represent Howden professionally at industry and networking events.
• Ensure all sales activity adheres to Central Bank of Ireland regulations and internal compliance standards.
• Maintain accurate records of client interactions and documentation.
• Complete required CPD and maintain professional accreditation (APA / CIP as applicable).

• Proven experience in business development, sales, or account acquisition (insurance or professional services preferred).
• Strong commercial acumen and ability to identify growth opportunities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage a pipeline independently.
• Strong organisational and time management capability.
• Comfortable working to revenue targets and KPIs
• Experience within commercial insurance brokerage
• Knowledge of Irish insurance market and insurer appetite
• CIP qualification
• Existing professional network within target sectors
• Resilient and adaptable in a competitive sales environment.

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

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.