IBA Manager

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 role 

The IBA Manager is a manager’s position supervising operations related to Insurance Broking Accounts (IBA), responsible for managing a team of Finance Technicians handling retail insurance markets.

The role combines people leadership, operational management, technical IBA expertise, collaborator management, reconciliations, aligning cash flows and ongoing improvement of processes.  

What you'll be doing 

• Lead, empower and develop an IBA team across multiple sites, ensuring team proficiency, appropriate training and effective performance management 

• Deliver accurate and timely accounting administration services within agreed service standards 

• Lead all aspects of cash matching, IBA payment requests and entries within IBA accounting systems 

• Reconcile accounts with insurers, markets and clients, investigating and resolving queries promptly 

• Build and maintain positive relationships with Business Units, underwriters, trading venues and suppliers  

• Respond to stakeholder requirements expertly and deliver high levels of customer service 

• Ensure adherence to company policies, procedures and regulatory requirements 

• Monitor team performance and operational metrics, providing management information, reporting and analysis 

• Lead team meetings and contribute to wider IBA management, projects and change initiatives 

• Support business growth through operational efficiency, continuous improvement in execution and the sharing of best practice 

Who we're looking for 

• Previous experience as a Finance Technician or similar accounting role 
• Experience balancing ledgers and accounts 

• Experience supervising or leading staff 
• Performance and absence management experience, with the ability to drive accountability and results 

• Strong understanding of IBA protocols and guidelines  

• Ledger reconciliation, cash matching and payment processing knowledge 
• A customer-focused approach and strong interpersonal skills 

• Ability to establish links across multiple business areas 

• Understanding of insurance market processes and procedures is desirable 

Qualifications 

• GCSEs (or equivalent), including English and Maths 

• An AAT qualification or other relevant accounting qualification is desirable 

• Strong written and verbal English and numeracy relevant to the role 

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.