Private Clients Manager

2136GB00 Howden UK Brokers Limited; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Howden is seeking a Manager to lead the Private Client division in Scotland, unifying Private Clients and Rural into one Regional Private Client proposition. You will guide delivery of service excellence, oversee offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, and ensure aligned practices with UK Private Client and Rural divisions.

You will mentor staff, manage performance, and drive growth while maintaining FCA compliance and GDPR standards. Hybrid working is offered with regional travel to offices.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in the insurance market with specialist advice.
• Dip CII certification and progress towards ACII.
• ILM Level 3 certification and progress towards Level 5.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for the Private Client division.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team across Scotland.
• Manage client relationships and key accounts.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and best-practice processes.
• Drive profitability and sustainable growth.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Client relationship management

Regulatory knowledge

Excel & data analysis

Negotiation & broking

Education

Dip CII certified

ILM Level 3 certified

ACII in progress

Tools

CRM systems

MS 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.

Manager Job Purpose

We are looking for a Manager to take on a leadership role within the Private Client division, providing strategic direction while leading and developing a high-performing team. This role offers the opportunity to shape the operational approach of the department, lead key client relationships, and contribute directly to the overall success of the business within a dynamic and rewarding environment. The role is particularly exciting as it will manage the unification of two legacy departments, Private clients and Rural, into one Regional Private Client proposition for Scotland. The role will lead the sharing of technical ability across the two groups while retaining aligned compliant and best practice processes with the wider UK Private Client and Rural division. The position is responsible for guiding the Private Client team to deliver outstanding service, maintain strong operational efficiency, and support sustained business growth. You will oversee people, processes, and performance to ensure strategic objectives are met, company standards are upheld, and the division continues to perform at a high level.

Key Accountabilities

• Reporting to the Regional Director you will help develop, deliver and articulate the team's business plan.
• Provide motivational leadership to support business growth and client happiness.
• Establish renewal strategies and ensure appropriate insurance advice is given.
• Manage the team across 3 main offices (Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth) traveling to each regularly.
• Lead team costs and support profitability and income growth.
• Direct recruitment and retention efforts according to Group policies.
• Set SMART objectives and conduct regular performance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory principles and internal policies.
• Identify and communicate business risks and strategic opportunities.
• Prepare and submit reports within required timescales.
• Run effective team meetings and ensure follow-up on actions.
• Lead divisional projects and implement change.
• Mentor colleagues and promote internal learning and development.
• Nominate team members for recognition awards.
• Visit other offices outside Scotland to share guidelines and innovation.
• Coordinate volunteering days and support community initiatives.
• Review lapses and share key findings.
• Promote identification of vulnerable clients and ensure contract certainty.
• Maintain diary management and support reduction in call abandonment rates.
• Act as a positive role model in line with the things we value.
• Build a strong internal network and support team collaboration.
• Promote the "Just Ask" activity and participate in marketing initiatives.
• Adhere to FCA principles, Howden service standards, accepted market practices, and the CII Code of Ethics to protect client interests.
• Align with GDPR regulations to maintain accurate record-keeping and client communication
• Adhere to the Bribery Act 2010, sanctions regulations, and anti-money laundering regulations, acting with transparency and responsibility.

Skills and Experience

• Minimum 7 years' experience in the insurance market providing specialist advice.
• Dip CII certified and progressing towards ACII.
• ILM Level 3 certified and progressing towards Level 5.
• Strong technical knowledge across general insurance classes and regulatory standards.
• Excellent client service, negotiation, and broking skills.
• Skilled in team leadership, motivation, and performance management.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Proficient in Excel and data analysis.
• Ability to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and influence effectively.
• Committed to personal development and CPD through e-learning and study.

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*.

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

Permanent Howden began in 1994, as just three people and a dog. Now there are 23,000 of us, and we're a leading global insurance group, managing $37bn of premiums for our clients. Our largest shareholder group is us – the people who work in the business – supported by three long-term, minority growth-equity partners who share our vision to build a business to last, one that will never be sold. The owner's mindset is something that's embedded in our culture; our people readily take ownership of their decisions, their actions, and their outputs. They're invested in every sense. And we all know that by working together to drive the business forward, everyone will benefit from the extraordinary results we can achieve.