Head of Specialty Bids

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.

Within Howden there is significant emphasis on growing its book of business and winning RFP’s is a key part of its strategy to achieve year on year growth.

We're looking for someone to manage a small team of Bid Managers who will focus on successfully responding to “Global Specialty” RFP’s.

Global Specialty comprises various specialist areas including but not limited to Energy, Renewables, Construction, Aviation, Financial lines, Real Estate and Employee Benefits

People Management/Personal Development:

• Apportion workload
• Day to day management of the team
• Ensure team members have a strong network of contacts throughout the business
• Work with team to ensure the Bid protocols are adhered to by internal stakeholders
• Manage the performance of direct reports
• Act as a role model for positive management and leadership behaviour
• Identify and hire talent, ensuring that recruitment plans are in place to attract new members of staff and managing recruitment processes where required
• Manage and motivate the team to ensure they have relevant objectives which align personal goals to the requirements of the business.
•  Positively encourage professional and personal development of all team members to increase their capability and effectiveness
• Ensure team members are competent to carry out their responsibilities
• Retain and develop key team members, working with senior managers to develop succession plans where this is appropriate

Planning/Strategy:

• Be a strong voice at the table on Pre-Qualification discussions 
• Attend pre RFP meetings with high profile new business opportunities
• Support the nominated Bid Manager on internal strategy meetings
• Work with the team members to plan the most appropriate solutions for the client’s demands and needs
• Provide guidance to the Bid Manager throughout the RFP process
• Peer review mature versions of the RFP response document
• Act as the client on presentation rehearsals
• Occasionally act as front line Bid Manager on high profile opportunities
• Ensure timely delivery of compliant and commercially sound bids from the team
• Attend , as appropriate, post bid debriefs
• Identify trends for winning /losing bids

What do we need from you?

• Previous Bid experience (minimum to 3-5 years) within Financial services sector
• Good understanding of proposal development
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• Confident – able to work with potential clients who operate at a senior level within their organisations
• High impact presentation skills
• Project management skills
• Strong personal drive
• Good decision-making and problem solving skills
• Ability to build effective relationships with senior managers and other key stakeholders
• Ability to diagnose problems quickly and have foresight into potential issues/risks
• Calm and resilient under pressure – able to respond to demanding deadlines
• Degree preferable but not essential
• Professional insurance qualifications

Our Culture: People First

We’ve travelled far since opening our first office in 1994. Back then we were local experts – based in London, with direct access to the world’s biggest insurance market. We’re still locals, and we still deliver the right advice and the right insurance to our clients. But now, we’re local all over the world. With 15,000 global colleagues and a partner network spanning more than 100 territories, we are the largest independent insurance broker in the world. But our values haven’t changed since day one, when we set out to create a company grounded in:

• An employee-ownership model 
• Aligned external investors
• The trust and integrity born of friendship
• Expertise
• Independence

Our focus on being a people-first business has always been at the very heart of Howden. Our vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture; one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. Our employee ownership model sets us apart in the market. It’s created a culture of collaboration and innovation, where we’re driven to think bigger and empowered to challenge convention. 

Our flat structure and entrepreneurial spirit help us attract the best people and empower them to be the best version of themselves. And when we bring in and nurture great talent, more follows. That makes us better – and that’s better for everyone. 

Diversity & Inclusion

At Howden we consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances.

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