Integration Director

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.

We are currently looking for an experienced Integration Director to establish a clear integration strategy across our business.

What will you be doing?

• Develop and run an effective governance framework to manage and oversee all integration activity, including the Group Integration Forum
• Establish clear integration strategy for integrating core functions, systems, controls & processes
• Develop an integration target operating model, working with cross functional teams to ensure all aspects of integration are adequately resourced and operating efficiently
• Embed integration within the M&A process to ensure:
• Effective internal due diligence is undertaken pre-deal
• Operational & financial impact of integration is given sufficient consideration and modelling pre-deal
• Clear communication channels are in place between M&A and integration team
• Ensure integration strategies are designed to realise the desired rationale for transactions/business transfers/initiatives
• Ownership of the Integration schedule, ensuring activities are prioritised in accordance with the risk framework
• Lead all post acquisition integration work, managing all workstreams to ensure that the acquired businesses/new initiatives are integrated as seamlessly as possible and that the value creation proposition and synergies are delivered
• Build and resource an effective IMO to provide resources, tools, expertise and assurance to the regions, working with teams/ capabilities within the business
• Deputise for the Group IMO Director as required

How will you support our People and Culture

• Builds and collaboratively leads an effective and high performing team that delivers exceptional results and an engaged employee base
• Generates buy in and excitement in the integration programme 
• Creates a culture of empowerment, trust and inclusion
• Role models expected behaviours and Group values
• Builds effective and productive working relationships with internal stakeholders and clients across the Group at all levels of the organisation

What do we need from you?

• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to deliver business requirements
• Building strong trusting relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders
• Highly collaborative with the ability to adapt style to different audiences and has a can-do mentality
• Solid communication skills; ability to synthesise and communicate information from a wide variety of sources
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to deal with senior stakeholders throughout the business and able to present information in a clear way to different audience

What experience do you need?

• Demonstrable experience in integration and complex programme management
• Track record of leading high-value high-volume projects in Financial Services with multi-disciplinary teams
• A track record in building and managing strong and credible relationships at senior leadership team levels and ability to effectively challenge and influence at this level
• Strong attention to detail and high standards, problem solving and analytical capabilities
• Ability to evaluate complex challenges and deliver insightful recommendations that can be practically executed
• Experience in driving and understanding strategies and objectives straddling multiple business units
• Able to demonstrate previous evidence of drive, energy, commitment, and enthusiasm

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.

Permanent