Operations Analyst / Executive Assistant

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.

Role: Operations Analyst / Executive Assistant

Location: Hybrid - NYC

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 mind-set, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 20,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach. There’s no such thing as individual success. We all need to play our part, contributing our skills and experience to make a true difference. That’s Howden.

Why work at Howden?

We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients.

Always have, always will.

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 disappointed headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

What is the role?

Howden is looking for an Operations Analyst / Executive Assistant who is highly organized and proactive to assist the head of our Mid Atlantic RWI division/Boston office, Co-Head of Latin America, Head of DC & Head of Chicago.

This is a critical role within the broader operations team, serving as a key liaison between internal staff and external partners. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, adaptable, and able to manage confidential information with discretion. This full-time role is based in our New York office, with hybrid flexibility.

Key Responsibilities:

Executive Support

• Manage complex and dynamic calendars for Executives and members of their teams

• Coordinate meetings, conference calls, and events with internal and external stakeholders

• Arrange domestic and international travel, including accommodations and itineraries

• Prepare, track, and reconcile executive expenses via Concur

• Draft and edit correspondence, reports, and communications

• Manage sensitive information with confidentiality and sound judgment

Administrative & Office Support

• Greet guests and screen calls professionally

• Support onboarding logistics for new hires

• Manage incoming and outgoing mail, FedEx, and courier services

• Maintain general office appearance and functionality

• Support the New York office’s day-to-day administrative needs

• Assist with scheduling, room bookings, catering, and logistics for meetings, retreats, and staff events

• Participate in cross-functional projects and assist with office moves or space planning in partnership with the broader Admin team

Operations & Vendor Coordination

• Serve as liaison to vendors and service providers (e.g., maintenance, supplies, equipment repairs)

• Monitor and order office supplies to ensure adequate inventory

• Help maintain smooth operation of office systems and technology

• Work with the broader Operations team to continuously improve internal processes and systems

• Contribute to creating and implementing office policies and operational efficiencies

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Experience:

• 2-5 years of experience years in an administrative support role, preferably supporting senior executives) in the Insurance, Financial Services, or M&A sectors preferred.

• Familiarity with Representations and Warranties Insurance is advantageous but not required.

Skills:

• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities; able to prioritize and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with exceptional attention to detail

• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity

• Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a proactive, can-do attitude

• Technologically savvy; advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

• Experience supporting legal or finance professionals a plus

• Demonstrated ability to plan ahead while staying adaptable to shifting priorities

• Creative problem solver with a process-improvement mindset

• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Salesforce or comparable CRM’s.

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational & analytical skills.

Working Conditions:

• Workplace Environment and Travel Requirements: Primarily office-based (4 days in-office) with potential for occasional travel to client meetings or industry events.

• Salary: Competitive salary range of $75-100k per year based on experience and qualifications.

• Benefits:   

  • Insurance: Life, Health (Medical, Vision, Dental),

  • Retirement: 401(k) with a 4% match

  • Paid Time Off: Unlimited PTO

Our sustainability promise

We’re on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It's a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world. You can read more about our sustainability work here.

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.