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 23,000 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.

Role: Operations Program Manager 

Preferred locations include Miami, Charlotte, and Chicago, though outstanding applicants in other regions will also be considered

Why Join Howden US?

At Howden, we’re not just building a business- We’re rewriting the rules of what a global insurance broker can be. And now, it’s your turn to be part of something extraordinary. From three people and a dog to over 22,000 employees across 56 countries, we’ve grown into a $4bn revenue powerhouse with bold ambition: to become a $13bn business with 40,000 people by 2030.

We’re launching our US retail platform with the same entrepreneurial spirit that’s driven our success worldwide- and we’re looking for trailblazers to help shape the future.

Why Howden?

You’ll Own It

With 6,000 employee shareholders owning 34% of the company, our unique ownership model means you’re not just joining a team—you’re building a business you truly own.

You’ll Be Empowered

We’re a destination for talent where people are trusted to look after their clients and grow together. You’ll have the freedom to lead, backed by global scale and local expertise.

You’ll Be Part of Something Bigger

Our integrated platform spans broking, reinsurance, and MGA capabilities—giving you access to everything you need to deliver for clients and build something remarkable

We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients. Always have, always will. 

What is the role?

We are seeking an experienced and results-oriented Program Manager to lead complex, cross-functional business initiatives from planning through execution and benefit realization.

You will be responsible for coordinating multiple workstreams, managing dependencies, and ensuring programs are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with business priorities. You will work closely with business leaders, process owners, and technology teams to translate strategy into actionable plans and support effective adoption of change across the organization, in partnership with the broader team.

This role requires a blend of structured project management expertise, stakeholder management, and business acumen – ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of operations, transformation, and change.

What will you be doing?

Program Management and Delivery

• Plan, organize, and oversee end-to-end delivery of assigned programs – ensuring clarity of scope, objectives, timelines, and success criteria.

• Lead cross-functional teams to execute complex initiatives spanning process, technology, and organizational change.

• Monitor program health, manage risks and issues, and proactively remove barriers to ensure successful delivery.

• Ensure all projects adhere to PMO standards, tools, and reporting requirements.

Stakeholder Management and Governance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for program stakeholders, providing clear communications on status, milestones, and key decisions, risks, and issues.

• Prepare and present program updates, reporting, and recommendations to senior leadership and governance forums.

• Partner with process owners, technology leads, and Capability & Change to drive alignment and accountability across functions.

• Support operational teams in preparing for sustainment of outcomes post-implementation.

Planning and Reporting

• Develop integrated project plans, critical path analyses, and resource forecasts across multiple workstreams.

• Track and report on financials, resourcing, risks, and benefits realization.

• Ensure accurate and timely program documentation and status reporting.

• Track and communicate realized benefits and lessons learned, in line with PMO standards.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-workstream programs with strong organizational and coordination skills

• Strong understanding of business operations, process improvement, and change management principles

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and align across functions

• Analytical and structured thinker with a problem-solving mindset

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivery excellence

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Program/Project Management roles – preferably within the insurance brokerage space

• Demonstrated experience leading business transformation, process improvement, or systems implementation programs.

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., PMI, Agile, or hybrid approaches)

• Proficiency with project portfolio management tools (e.g., Monday.com) and reporting platforms

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, or related field is preferred

• PMP or equivalent project management certification is a plus

What do we offer in return? A career that you define.

Our business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, and fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society’s greatest challenges.

And we know that separate home and work lives don't really exist. If you're happy and healthy at home, you're more likely to be happy and fulfilled at work – and vice versa. That's why we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.

Diversity and Inclusion At Howden we value diversity - there is no one Howden ‘personality 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

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 age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances. 

Our sustainability promise

We’re on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It's a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world. You can read more about our sustainability work here. 

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.