Surety Graduate Programme

Howden; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Generous pension

Volunteer days

Job summary

Howden is launching its Surety Graduate Programme in London. You’ll join a permanent role and complete an 18-month development programme designed to build your technical expertise, commercial awareness and professional confidence from day one.

You’ll gain exposure to finance, legal agreements and risk assessment while supporting client transactions, structuring surety bonds and learning how deals are negotiated alongside experienced specialists.

Qualifications

• Analytical mindset with meticulous attention to detail.
• Strong communicator who enjoys building relationships and working with clients and colleagues.
• Ability to articulate ideas clearly in writing and verbally.

Responsibilities

• Support with reviewing client documentation and preparing materials for meetings.
• Assist with taking meeting notes to keep client files accurate and up to date.
• Gain early exposure to client and insurer meetings and learn how deals are negotiated.

Skills

Analytical

Attention to detail

Communication

Relationship building

Negotiation

Education

Law or Finance degree

Job description

Location: London

Working Pattern: Hybrid (3-4 days in the office)

Surety Graduate Programme

Be Part of the Deals Behind Major Global Projects

Are you interested in how major businesses win contracts, manage risk and deliver large-scale projects? Join Howden's Surety team and discover how surety helps businesses secure the guarantees they need to win contracts, deliver projects and fulfil important commitments. We work with clients, insurers and financial institutions to arrange solutions that support projects, investments and commercial agreements around the world.

As part of Howden's Capital, Advisory and Placement team, you'll gain exposure to finance, legal agreements, risk assessment and relationship management, all while working on real client projects from the start of your career.

You'll join Howden in a permanent role and complete our structured 18-month development programme, designed to build your technical expertise, commercial awareness, professional confidence and long-term career foundations.

What you’ll be doing?

You’ll begin with a structured induction before joining the Surety team, where you’ll work alongside experienced specialists supporting complex client transactions.

• Learn about our surety products and the end-to-end process for placing surety bonds.
• Work directly with clients and underwriters to structure and place surety bonds.
• Review legal contracts and financial records to identify any risks that may make the surety bond too risky for an insurer.
• Support with reviewing client documentation and preparing materials for upcoming meetings.
• Assist with taking meeting notes to ensure that client files are accurate and up to date.
• Gain early exposure to client and insurer meetings, learning how our clients are advised and how deals are negotiated.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external contacts.

Who are we looking for?

No insurance experience is needed; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!

You’ll be:

• A recent Law or Finance graduate, or in your final year of study and have a strong interest in commercial, legal, and financial matters.
• Analytical and have meticulous attention to detail.
• Confident to learn how to influence and negotiate in professional settings.
• A strong communicator who enjoys building relationships and working with clients, colleagues and external partners.
• Able to articulate your ideas well both in writing and verbally.
• Comfortable speaking on the phone with senior individuals.
• Resilient and hard-working and curious to learn and develop.

To be eligible for our programme, you must have the full and unrestricted right to work in the UK.

Why should you apply?

• £40,000 salary and a generous pension scheme.
• A permanent role from the day you join Howden.
• Structured learning and development through our 18-month graduate development programme.
• 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays and an additional day off at Christmas.
• Access to discounted personal health policies, wellbeing support and a range of employee benefits and insurance products.
• 2 days allocated to take part in volunteering schemes.

Explore our Connectr page to discover more about Howden, our culture, and the insurance industry. You’ll find resources to help you prepare for our recruitment process and understand which career path could be the best fit for you.