Sme Account Broker

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 PROFILE:
Account Handler/Broker

ROLE PURPOSE:
Supports their Team and works with specifically assigned clients, to place risks with insurers to deliver an excellent and comprehensive service in the administration of new business, renewal and mid-term changes. Negotiates effective terms to ensure client needs are best met in relation to suitable pricing and cover.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Planning/Reporting:

- Provides input to team meetings to ensure appropriate information is considered, observations from the market are shared and client issues resolved
- Assists in monitoring renewal and new business activity to aid effective planning and resourcing
- Works with mínimal guidance to organise own work activities to ensure that personal and Team objectives are achieved
- May support research activity to assist the development of new products and wordings
- Participates in team meetings as required, reporting on business progress within their area of expertise
- Manages assigned projects and contributes to other project as required
- Provides relevant management information to senior managers

Technical:

- Reviews client documentation to ensure that information presented is sufficiently comprehensive/accurate to support the quoting process
- Plans the most appropriate solution for the client’s demands and needs
- Devises placing strategies and identifies effective product layering
- Negotiates with underwriters to place insurance that balances quality, coverage and price
- Reviews wordings and gathers appropriate market intelligence to ensure the company’s product offering is up to date and relevant to current/respective market conditions/requirements
- Develops strong relationships with markets
- Collates and communicates client requirements to ensure appropriate marketing of the risk
- Checks market presentations
- Liaises with clients and ensures client queries are resolved
- Responds to market and third party queries as appropriate
- Is aware of, and satisfies, territory, tax and legislation requirements
- Produces high quality and compliant market documentation ensuring appropriate authorisations are secured
- Liaises with processing technicians and IBA as required
- Ensures up to date records are maintained at all times on the Company systems

Policy, Process and Procedures:

- Works within parameters and uses relevant systems to ensure documentation/communications adhere to company procedure/compliance requirements and provide an adequate audit trail
- Processes data promptly and accurately on relevant systems in order to support and improve high levels of client service/internal process execution and to facilitate informed analysis
- Maintains appropriate client files, and oversees the prompt and accurate production of documentation to best meet client, company and regulatory requirements
- Ensures that self (and direct reports if any) adhere to company policies and procedures and obtain necessary authorisations at appropriate points in the process
- Ensures appropriate due diligence/sanctions checks are conducted in line with company procedures

Environment, Customer Focus and Relationships:

- Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external contacts to ensure service delivery meets expectations and is compliant
- Develops and maintains appropriate underwriter relationships
- Maintains an appropriate group of preferred markets in each area of activity
- Provides support and assistance to senior colleagues and/or their clients on request
- Develops and maintain awareness and understanding of market dynamics and related cycles, to ensure work activities are effective
- Deals with client enquiries, renewals and mid-term adjustments
- Behaves with all clients fairly and ethically
- Develops strong relationships with immediate Team and the wider Business Unit
- Solicits advice and guidance, when appropriate, from their line manager
- Shares information that could be beneficial to the Operating Entity/Group

Personal Development:
The job holder has no direct reports
- 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 Ope