Project Manager

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.

ROLE PROFILE:

Project Manager

ROLE PURPOSE:

The jobholder is a member of a team that is responsible for supporting their Operating entity in ensuring that systems and processes meet Company objectives, achieve business targets, and reflect best practice.

As a Project Manager, they are responsible for the planning, control and successful delivery of nominated operational projects, by managing and leading dedicated projects, ensuring that the objective of each project is realised within the timescales agreed and on budget.  This may involve the management of others either on a temporary or permanent basis, as dictated by the requirements of each project.

They will act as the interface between the Operating Entity and the business units with the Operating Entity, ensuring that appropriate expertise is allocated to projects and issues are raised and progressed with the appropriate stakeholder.

They will ensure that all solutions are delivered in accordance with Company/Group policies, to achieve targets, develop the business and deliver an excellent and comprehensive service.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Planning/Reporting:

• Manages assigned projects and contributes to other project as required
• Ensures appropriate MI is made available to management teams within the Operating Entity so that progress against key performance indicators can be measured (e.g. Operations Dashboard)
• Provides requests for ad hoc relevant management information, as required
• Supports the delivery of the annual Operations plan, as required

Technical:

• Plan and execute the implementation of key business projects as directed, within specific timescales and budgets by means of:
  Analysis, specification and documentation of business user requirements and translation of these into specifications (e.g. Operating Procedure Manuals, Policies, Process Flow Charts etc)
  Planning and control of projects adopting standard project management practices and utilising appropriate recording systems (e.g. Teamwork)
  Key Stakeholder management
  Post implementation review of the operational impact of the changes
   
• Own and be responsible for the day-to-day management of all stages of allocated projects, including appropriate reporting, updates to senior management and escalation/mitigation of risks
• Acts as a focal point for future development of business efficiency related initiatives
• Leads ad hoc reviews/internally based project work

Policy, Process and Procedures:

• Ensures up to date records are kept on computer systems
• Works with managers to propose and drive enhancements to processes to ensure these are relevant for current business structures and needs

Environment, Customer Focus and Relationships:

• Develops strong relationships with suppliers
• Negotiates with suppliers to provide bet balance of quality, service and price
• Maintain any ongoing service  and supply contracts appropriately and cost effectively
• Represents their Operating entity internally, with regards to project related matters
• Behaves with all clients (both internal and external) fairly and ethically
• Shares information that could be beneficial to the Operating Entity/Group

People Management/Personal Development:
The job holder has no direct line management responsibility for others
 

• Actively undertakes personal development to ensure up to date knowledge and understanding of best practice
• Remains aware of external, industry, legal and regulatory developments etc to ensure practice and outputs are of a sufficiently high standard
• Keeps informed of all legal and regulatory developments relevant to the Operating Entity/Group

Regulatory and Compliance:

The Board of each Operating Entity requires the highest standards of corporate governance, operational excellence and financial reporting throughout the Group from all its employees. Specific responsibilities are listed below. 

• Ensures compliance of self  with all applicable legal, fiscal and regulatory obligations in the form of policies and procedures
• Ensures correct authorisation is obtained and processes followed when required by the Operating Entity and/or Group
• Ensures performance, HR and T&C records are up to date  and meet the Operating Entity and/or Group’s requirements  (which will include those of direct reports if any)
• Maintains accurate records and deals with correspondence appropriately
• Operates in an honest, professional and ethical manner
• Strictly adheres to the Group Employee Code of Conduct
• Completes all relevant regulatory training
• Ensures  competence of self

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Knowledge/Experience

• Likely to have previous experience of working as a Project Manager
• Preference will be given to applicants who have worked in an insurance environment
• Previous experience of project management methodologies
• Reasonable awareness of the regulatory environment and requirements along with how these impact on Operating Entity’s activities

Skills/Behaviours

• Strong IT skills – able to utilise Excel, Word and may have previous experience of other project management software systems e.g. Team work
• Strong organisational skills – task focussed and able to deliver projects to the agreed deadlines
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to diagnose problems quickly and have foresight into potential issues
• Excellent decision-making and problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills – must be able to convey ideas/concepts both in a written and oral format
• Able to build effective relationships with key stakeholders/senior managers and is able to internally network to resolve issues and find solutions
• Strong IT skills
• A team player, able to contribute significantly at senior level
• High degree of resilience and tenacity
• Strong attention to detail 
• Degree in commerce/ business or related discipline desirable
• Insurance related qualifications would be desirable

Qualifications

• Degree in commerce/ business or related discipline desirable
• Insurance related qualifications would be desirable

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.