Operations Director

Howden; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Operations Director to lead their international operations. This role involves collaborating with senior leadership to align strategies, drive operational excellence, and implement policies that enhance efficiency. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operations management, project delivery, and business partnering. Join a diverse team that values innovation and collaboration, and make a significant impact on operational performance across global operations. This is an exciting opportunity for those looking to advance their career in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in international operations management.
• Strong business partnering skills with senior executives.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with international COOs to align operational strategies.
• Implement operational policies to enhance efficiency.

Skills

Operations Management

Project Delivery

Business Partnering

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Process Improvement

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Thinking

Education

Degree Level Education

Programme/Project Training

Job description

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 20,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

We're moving from strength to strength, expanding our global reach and growing both organically and through strategic, high-quality mergers and acquisitions. By bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives, we're enhancing our unique culture and values, whilst continuing to expand our capability to innovate, and deliver exceptional solutions for our clients.

The Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Operations Director to join our team at Howden Insurance Brokers Limited. This role focuses on business partnering and working closely with international COOs and global heads of process. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operations management, transformation, and project delivery, and be able to demonstrate tangible results. They will work collaboratively with peers to drive operational excellence across Howden.

What You'll Be Doing

• Collaborate with international COOs and global heads of process to align operational strategies with business objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insights and recommendations to drive business performance.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for operational initiatives.
• Implement our Target Operating Model, embedding minimum standards across Howden.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Monitor and analyse operational performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.
• Lead initiatives to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve overall operational efficiency, aligning with Howden’s location strategy.
• Engage with client COOs on an international level to ensure seamless operations and client satisfaction.
• Identify and drive process improvements across global operations.
• Oversee and manage specific projects to ensure timely and successful completion.

Who We're Looking For

• Proven experience in operations management, at an international level.
• Strong business partnering skills with the ability to work effectively with senior executives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and drive process improvements.
• Experience working with global teams and managing international operations.
• Knowledge of industry best practices and trends in operations management.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to build, foster, and manage key relationships.
• Able to build networks across multi-layered organisations.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level.
• Programme/Project Training beneficial.

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

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.

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.

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.