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 18,000 employees spanning over 100 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.
The role
We are seeking a proactive, highly organised, and detail-oriented Executive Assistant to provide dedicated support to the Chief Operating Officer.
This role will involve a broad range of EA responsibilities including diary management, travel coordination, expenses, and accurate minute taking with timely distribution.
We’re looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates exceptional communication skills, and brings a proactive approach to problem-solving and organisation.
Please note that this is a full-time, permanent role based in our Central London office.
What you'll do
- Manage complex diaries for multiple stakeholders, ensuring efficient scheduling and prioritisation.
- Organise local and international travel, including visa arrangements and detailed itineraries.
- Coordinate internal and external meetings, including room bookings and refreshments.
- Liaise with internal support teams (e.g. Facilities, IT, Reception, AV) to ensure smooth operations.
- Prepare high-quality documentation including reports, presentations, itineraries, and correspondence.
- Accurately record and transcribe meeting minutes ensuring timely distribution.
- Process and reconcile expenses and invoices accurately and in a timely manner.
- Organise team events and corporate hospitality, ensuring all logistics are handled effectively.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation using company systems.
- Manage document handling tasks such as printing, scanning, filing, and archiving (both electronic and paper-based).
- Collaborate with other administrative staff to ensure seamless cover during absences or peak periods.
- Handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain confidentiality at all times.
What we're looking for
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to produce accurate, well-formatted documentation.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Experience in the insurance sector is advantageous but not essential.
- Proven experience as a PA or Team Assistant, ideally within a corporate or financial services environment.
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.
Permanent
