Operations Director

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.

Operations Director - Private Clients

Flexible within the UK, with an expectation to be in our London office approximately two to three days per week. Regular in-person collaboration with Executive stakeholders is a key part of the role.
We’re looking for an experienced Operations Director to help shape the next phase of growth for our Private Clients business.

Following the integration of our Insurance, Mortgage and Wealth propositions, this role will play a pivotal part in building the operating model, leadership capability and transformation agenda required to support significant growth and long-term success. Working closely with the CEO, CFO and Executive Leadership Team, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the business has the operational capability, scalability and resilience to support its ambitious plans, while delivering outstanding client, commercial and regulatory outcomes.

Business Scale

Today, our Private Clients business operates at scale and is entering a period of continued growth, transformation and integration:

• Circa 600 employees, with plans to grow to 900 over the next five years

• 30 locations globally

• Current revenue of £90m, with a strategic plan to grow to £150m

• Leadership responsibility for a large operational function, including direct and indirect leadership

• Ongoing acquisition, integration and business transformation activity

The Opportunity

Our Private Clients business brings together Insurance, Mortgages and Wealth propositions, creating a significant opportunity to drive greater alignment across the organisation. A key priority will be driving integration across the business, helping previously separate propositions operate more effectively as one organisation while unlocking greater collaboration, consistency and efficiency.
Alongside this, you’ll lead a significant transformation agenda focused on improving business performance, enhancing customer outcomes, strengthening operational resilience and ensuring the business is positioned for sustained success.

This is a highly visible leadership role, offering the opportunity to influence strategic direction and play a central role in shaping the future of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and continually evolve the operating model to support growth, efficiency, scalability and service excellence.

• Own the operational transformation agenda, ensuring initiatives are aligned to business strategy and deliver measurable commercial and operational outcomes.

• Drive improvements across productivity, service, quality, customer experience and cost performance measures.

• Identify opportunities to leverage technology, data, automation and AI to enhance operational effectiveness and decision-making.

• Lead the integration of acquired businesses and realise associated operational and commercial synergies.

• Establish and maintain robust operational governance, risk and resilience frameworks.

• Build and develop a high-performing Operations leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Partner closely with Executive…