Business Support Assistant - Commercial & Schemes

Howden Group; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Howden is looking for a Business Support Assistant to join our Cheltenham team. This entry‑level role is ideal for someone starting their career with some administration or customer service experience, who is organised, detail‑focused and keen to learn.

You will work in a busy office, with an average of two days per week in the Cheltenham office and full training provided to build knowledge and confidence in the role.

Qualifications

• Experience in administration, customer service, retail, hospitality or office support.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the wider team.
• Support new business and renewal activities through accurate processing and record keeping.
• Prepare and maintain business documentation and reports.
• Keep spreadsheets, databases and internal systems up to date.
• Assist with invoicing and monthly administration tasks.
• Manage team mailboxes and respond to enquiries as appropriate.
• Act as a central point of contact for internal colleagues and external partners.
• Support creation and maintenance of process guides and training materials.
• Ensure documentation is accurate, compliant and up to date.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify opportunities to improve processes.

Skills

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Relationship building

Willingness to learn

Team and independent working

Education

GCSE English and Maths

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Job description

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.

At Howden, Commercial & Schemes, 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.

We're looking for a Business Support Assistant to join our Cheltenham team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the early stages of their career who has gained some administration, customer service or office-based experience and is looking for their next step. If you're organised, enjoy working with people, have a strong eye for detail and are keen to learn, we'd love to hear from you. No insurance experience is required. We'll provide training and support to help you build your knowledge and confidence within the role.

Please note this is a full-time, permanent opportunity. You will be based in our Cheltenham office, with an average of two days per week in the office.

Overview

• Providing day-to-day administrative support to the wider team.
• Supporting new business and renewal activities through accurate processing and record keeping.
• Preparing and maintaining business documentation and reports.
• Keeping spreadsheets, databases and internal systems up to date.
• Assisting with invoicing and monthly administration tasks.
• Managing team mailboxes and responding to enquiries where appropriate.
• Acting as a central point of contact for internal colleagues and external partners.
• Supporting the creation and maintenance of process guides and training materials.
• Helping ensure documentation is accurate, compliant and up to date.
• Working closely with colleagues to identify opportunities to improve processes and ways of working.

Knowledge

• Previous experience in an administration, customer service, retail, hospitality or office support role.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word and Excel.

Skills

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• A positive, proactive approach to work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Confidence building relationships with colleagues and customers.
• A willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent).

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

This role would suit someone looking to build a long-term career within a professional business environment. You'll be given full training, exposure to different areas of the business, and the opportunity to develop your skills while working alongside a supportive and experienced team.

What do we offer in return?

• 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*.

*Not all positions can accommodate changes to working hours or locations. Reach out to your Recruitment Partner if you want to know more.

Permanent