Senior Employee Benefits Consultant

Who are we?

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.

From day one, our mission has been to create an independent business with a unique culture – one that is controlled by the people who work for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people has always been key to our success. People come to Howden for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

Role Overview:

The job holder is responsible for advising multinational clients, predominantly US headquartered, on their UK employee benefits programs. This opportunity is to join a dynamic division within Howden Employee Benefits and Wellbeing, servicing over 150 clients in the sector.

You will be expected to manage client relationships and manage policies for large SME to mid-Corporate size clients in Group Risk, Healthcare (including claims experienced rated Private Medical Insurance plans) as well as develop new opportunities across the broad spectrum of Employee Benefits. Experience in UK pensions and retirement consulting would be an advantage but is not an essential requirement.

You will manage a portfolio of clients and have the responsibility to deliver a personal account development new business budget. You will partner with specialist consultants in Pensions and International Benefits and have the support of our dedicated Client Services team to work collaboratively to deliver a market leading service proposition to clients in this specific market.

Role Responsibilities:

What will you be doing?

- Be the first point of contact for clients. Understand their sector and benefits offered. Be prepared to be highly responsive in responding quickly and accurately to client queries.
- Build and lead the relationship with a portfolio of Multinational clients whilst providing advice on specifically on UK Group Risk and Healthcare and associated insurance products and services.
- Provide technical advice to clients on the policies you are responsible for, seeking assistance from colleagues where appropriate.
- Work closely with the Multinational 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.
- Collaborate with Howden colleagues across Health & Benefits and the wider group to encourage client referrals and deliver new business proposals. This is a cross-referral process and we equally encourage you to develop opportunities for referral into our colleagues globally and in the general insurance markets.
- As a Senior member of the team you will be mentor and coach to colleagues in the team and support colleagues in development of their technical skills through peer review and coaching on consulting technique
- Deputising for the Director of UK Multinational Client Consulting on HEB related projects and initiatives as a subject matter expert where required

Technical:

- You will need to be proficient in advising clients from SME to mid-Corporate size in Group Risk and Healthcare, along with a basic knowledge of broader Employee Benefits, including Benefits Technology, 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.
- You will be an experienced Group Risk and Healthcare Consultant to the standard that you are able to peer review colleague consulting work and provide technical coaching and support.

Environment, Customer Focus and Relationships:

- Service is the bedrock of the Multinational Clients Employee Benefits proposition, and you will have exceptional customer service skills to deliver this at all times to all clients.
- You will work closely with the Multinational 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 will 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 to client’s and the business’ needs. Full training will be provided on all CRM platforms utilised by the business and prior experience of a specific platform is not required

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.

- 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:

- Demonstrable experience advising clients in Group Risk and Healthcare
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of Group Risk policies is essential, primarily Death in Service (Group Life), Group Income Protection, Group Critical Illness and other associated benefits and services.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of Healthcare policies is essential, primarily Private Medical Insurance (both age and claims experience rated), Dental insurance, Health Cash Plans, Health Assessments and other associated benefits and services, including Travel and Personal Accident
- Experience in consultancy and 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 but not essential and you will be eligible for professional study sponsorship on completion of your probation period

Hybrid London or Remote

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

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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.

Permanent