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 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 Purpose

We are an entrepreneurial startup venture backed by the strength and scale of Howden Group Holdings and Howden Re. Operating with the agility of a startup while leveraging the resources of a global insurance leader, our mission is to revolutionise the London insurance market through cutting-edge technologies including AI, automation, Machine Learning, and advanced data analytics.

This unique position as a startup within a leading global insurance group offers an exceptional opportunity to combine entrepreneurial spirit with enterprise-scale impact. We maintain the speed and innovation of a startup while benefiting from Howden's deep market expertise, established networks, and robust infrastructure.

Role Responsibilities

The Senior Project Manager will be a key member of our growing team, responsible for driving the successful delivery of strategic projects that bridge traditional London market processes with cutting-edge technology solutions.

Working in a dynamic startup environment while leveraging enterprise-scale capabilities, you will be responsible for planning, controlling, and delivering projects that align with both immediate business needs and long-term strategic objectives. This role requires hands-on involvement and the ability to work collaboratively across all levels of the organisation.

You will serve as the primary interface between technical teams, business stakeholders, and 3rd parties, ensuring appropriate expertise is allocated to projects and issues are addressed efficiently with key stakeholders.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Planning/Reporting:

• Leads and manages ALTO strategic project while maintaining the agility to contribute hands-on to other initiatives as needed
• Develops and maintains comprehensive project metrics and KPIs, ensuring transparency through effective management information systems
• Champions Agile methodologies while maintaining the ability to manage Waterfall projects where appropriate, providing clear and concise reporting through various formats

Technical:

Core Project Delivery Responsibilities:

• Implements and maintains best-practice project management approaches, balancing agile methodologies with traditional market requirements
• Manages key stakeholder relationships across both startup and established market environments
• Conducts thorough post-implementation reviews to ensure operational effectiveness
• Takes full ownership of project lifecycle management, including risk mitigation and escalation
• Drives business efficiency initiatives while maintaining compliance with market standards
• Leads strategic reviews and internal project workstreams

Policy, Process and Procedures:

• Maintains robust documentation and system records
• Collaborates with management to enhance processes that bridge innovative solutions with market requirements
• Ensures alignment between startup agility and regulatory compliance

Environment, Customer Focus and Relationships:

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with technology providers and market participants
• Negotiates effectively to balance quality, service, and cost considerations
• Manages service and supply contracts with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness
• Demonstrates ethical behaviour and fairness in all interactions
• Promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration across the organisation, especially with our group data team

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Knowledge/Experience

• Proven experience as a Project Manager in both the London insurance market and startup environments
• Strong understanding of London market operations and processes
• Demonstrated success in implementing Agile methodologies in traditional market contexts
• Comprehensive understanding of insurance regulatory requirements and their operational impact

Skills/Behaviours

• Expert in both Agile and Waterfall project management methodologies
• Strong technical acumen with experience in modern programme management tools and systems
• Strong organisational skills with ability to deliver in fast-paced environments
• Proven ability to anticipate and mitigate project risks
• Outstanding problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Excellent communication skills, able to bridge technical and business perspectives
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships across organisational levels and market participants
• Strong collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively in a startup culture
• High resilience and adaptability to change
• Meticulous attention to detail while maintaining strategic perspective

Qualifications

• Professional project management certifications (e.g. PMP, PRINCE2, Agile) highly valued

What do we offer in return?

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

Reasonable adjustments

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.