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.

Overview

Following the creation of a unified EMEA broking region, Howden continues to strengthen its regional governance, risk, compliance capabilities to support sustainable growth, regulatory excellence, and operational consistency across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

This role sits within the EMEA Risk & Compliance leadership structure and will play a critical role in supporting the Chief Risk Officer.

The role

This is a regional leadership role responsible for supporting the delivery and execution of the EMEA compliance and internal controls agenda across Howden’s broking operations.

Working directly with the Chief Risk Officer, EMEA, the role will act as a trusted deputy and strategic partner across EMEA, helping to translate Group requirements into practical regional implementation. The role combines oversight, operational leadership, and transformation activity, with a strong focus on embedding consistent standards, strengthening governance, and driving uplift in core compliance and internal controls capabilities.

A key element of the role will be leveraging technology, data, and AI-enabled solutions to improve the efficiency, consistency, and scalability of compliance and internal controls processes across the region.

The successful candidate will operate across a broad and complex EMEA landscape, partnering closely with local entities and business leadership teams. They will be expected to operate with credibility and autonomy, while remaining clearly aligned to and accountable through the EMEA CRO function.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Chief Risk Officer, EMEA in creating and embedding a compliance monitoring programme across the region
• Act on behalf of the EMEA CRO where appropriate in engagement with local entities, governance forums, and regional stakeholders
• Drive consistency in compliance and internal controls standards, reporting and governance across EMEA operations
• Provide oversight, challenge, and support to local first line and second line teams to strengthen capability and maturity
• Assist in the coordination and delivery of key regional governance and regulatory activities

Risk Framework & Operational Improvement

• Design and implement scalable tools, artefacts, templates, and reporting mechanisms to support effective compliance monitoring implementation
• Partner with stakeholders to improve compliance and internal controls processes through automation, digitisation, and AI-enabled solutions where appropriate
• Enhance the quality, consistency, and usability of regional compliance data and reporting

Internal Controls and Compliance Oversight & Monitoring

• Lead and coordinate ongoing compliance monitoring activities across EMEA
• Support regional compliance programmes including sanctions screening, regulatory change management, conduct oversight, and policy implementation
• Drive uplift initiatives relating to internal controls and governance frameworks, including programmes such as ERICCA and wider controls enhancement activity
• Monitor emerging regulatory developments and support the business in implementing proportionate and practical responses
• Support the preparation of regional management information, governance reporting, and Board-level materials

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with senior business leaders, local entity management teams, and regional stakeholders
• Act as a trusted advisor to EMEA entities while maintaining appropriate independence and oversight
• Support a collaborative and pragmatic risk culture that enables business growth while maintaining robust governance standards
• Work effectively within a matrixed international environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities

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