Employee Benefits Consultant

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.

The job holder is responsible for advising clients within the Asset Managment sector on their employee benefits programs, with specialist knowledge of Group Risk and Healthcare. This opportunity is to join a dynamic division within Howden Employee Benefits.

You will be expected to manage client relationships and manage policies in Group Risk and Healthcare, as well as develop new opportunities across the broad spectrum of Employee Benefits. Managing a portfolio of clients and the responsibility to deliver a personal account development new business budget. The role will include administration and client service support provided by the Client Services team.

Role Responsibilities:

What will you be doing?

• Manage a portfolio of Asset Management clients, acting as a trusted adviser and primary day-to-day contact.
• Be the first point of contact for clients. Understand the sector and benefits offered. Be prepared to respond quickly and accurately to client queries.
• Build a robust system for ensuring appropriate management of consultancy (and administration where required) tasks including proactive follow up with clients and insurers, keeping appropriate colleagues appraised at all times.
• Build and lead the relationship with a portfolio of Asset Management clients (predominantly SME sized) whilst providing advice on specific insurance products.
• Provide all technical advice to clients on the policies you are responsible for, seeking assistance from colleagues where appropriate.
• Work closely with the Client Services Team to ensure all renewal, reviews, claims and medical underwriting are completed in a timely manner to meet clients’ needs.
• Proactively build on existing external relationships with clients, prospects and insurers.
• Hold a broad knowledge of insurers’ propositions and differences to provide the most appropriate advice for clients.
• Be comfortable in ensuring we are provided with an appropriate level of remuneration for the work undertaken across Howden Employee Benefits.

Technical:

• Applicants will need to be proficient in advising clients in Group Risk and Healthcare, along with a knowledge of broader Employee Benefits, including Wellbeing and Pensions. In addition, albeit not essential, you will have an awareness of the other areas of business where the group could support in the General Insurance sector.

Environment, Customer Focus and Relationships:

• The exceptional customer experience that you provide will drive improved retention and enables the opportunity for cross and upselling of our business portfolio of solutions.
• You will work closely with the Client Services Team to ensure that the clients’ group policies are proactively managed and needs met out in accordance with relevant policies. The job holder may also be required to provide support to their line manager in relation to nominated business projects.
• You build strong internal, client and provider relationships based on respect that develops and builds loyalty, retention and increased client benefit spend.

Market Knowledge & Technology:

• You stay up to date and proactively seek to broaden your market knowledge and understanding of key trends.
• You understand the need for accurate client data in the systems including contacts, existing portfolios, markets and partners.
• You understand the scope and advantage of our technology platforms, such as “Hubspot” and “EPIC”, to client’s and the business’ needs.

Compliance and Personal Development:

• The Board of each Operating Entity requires the highest standards of corporate governance, operational excellence and financial reporting throughout the Group from all its Directors and employees.
• Specifically:
• You are aware of the need and sources of compliance and understand and apply compliance.
• You ensure that HR and Training & Competency records are up to date and meet the Operating Entity and/or Group’s requirements.
• You are able to adapt best practice to the situation in hand within the framework of compliance.
• Strict adherence to the Group Employee Code of Conduct which strongly aligns to the FCA’s code of conduct that all regulated entities must adhere to under the SM&CR.
• Completes all relevant regulatory training and ensure you remain competent to carry out role

Role Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years consultancy experience advising clients in Group Risk & Healthcare (Private Medical, Dental and Cash Plan knowledge essential), and advising on wider Employee Benefits would be beneficial.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of healthcare and group risk policies is preferred.
• Experience in consultancy or administration. You can create, write and manipulate template reports.
• You take ownership of your portfolio and proactively manage the associated workload, flagging client risks and opportunities.
• CII GR1 / IF7 qualified, preferred

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.