Account Handler

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.

At Howden - Corporate & Commercial, commercial insurance isn’t just what we do - it’s who we are. We support our clients through the complex landscape of commercial risk. We understand the diverse needs of businesses from large corporates to emerging ventures, meticulously crafting bespoke solutions to empower businesses to navigate uncertainty and achieve unwavering growth. Our depth of commercial insurance expertise allows us to protect client’s assets and fuel their progress. When our clients prosper, we celebrate success with them; when challenges arise, we provide unwavering support.

Join Howden’s Schemes division and play a pivotal role in our unique renovation insurance team as an Existing Business Account Handler. In this relationship focused position, you will be responsible for managing and renewing existing client policies within the residential and commercial property renovation sector. You will proactively service insurance solutions for clients carrying out renovation or self-build projects who need to extend their policy, nurture strong client & broker relationships, and contribute to the team's overall success.

This role demands a proactive individual with a passion for client retention, customer service and the drive to exceed team targets.

This is a full-time, permanent position with the option to work 2-3 days per week in our Colchester or Burnham on Crouch office for a balanced work experience.

Responsibilities:
- Organise and manage personal work activities to achieve team objectives and meet agreed targets.- Participate in team meetings, reporting on business progress within your area of expertise.- Manage assigned projects and contribute to other projects as required.- Review client documentation to ensure comprehensive and accurate information is presented for the quoting process.- Collate and communicate client requirements to ensure appropriate marketing of the risk.- Liaise with clients to resolve queries and respond to market and third-party queries as appropriate.- Produce high-quality market documentation, securing appropriate authorisations.-
- Work with underwriters to place insurance that balances quality, coverage, and price.- Process data promptly and accurately on relevant systems to support client service and internal processes.- Maintain accurate and timely documentation for clients, ensuring proper organisation of records.- Conduct due diligence/sanctions checks in line with company procedures.- Adhere to company policies, procedures, and obtain required authorisations.- Foster and nurture positive relationships with colleagues and external contacts.- Provide support and assistance to senior colleagues and/or their clients on request.- Deal with or refer client enquiries, renewals, and mid-term adjustments.

Requirements:
- Experience in an account handling or technical role within the property and or residential commercial insurance is essential. Understanding of general and legal principles of insurance.- Knowledge of relevant regulatory and legal frameworks.- Familiarity with the market, including competitors, specific territories, and cultural awareness.- Good understanding of team objectives and how own role contributes.- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.- Able to work independently and use initiative.- Flexible and able to meet tight deadlines/targets with good organisation skills.- Attention to detail and willingness to learn.- Calm and resilient under pressure; ability to positively react to change.- Effective communicator skilled at building connections and cultivating relationships.

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