Business Development Executive - Commercial & Schemes

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.

Howden - Commercial & Schemes are on the hunt for a Marine Business Development Executive to join the team.

You will be responsible for identifying, developing, and converting new business opportunities across the marine insurance . This is a client-facing, commercially focused role where you’ll work closely with brokers, underwriters, and senior stakeholders to deliver bespoke solutions that meet the evolving needs of marine clients. You will be building client relationships and expanding our market presence.

This role is ideal for a strategic thinker with strong communication skills and a passion for sales and partnerships.

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to providing outstanding service to our clients. We promote personal and professional growth.

The successful candidates would need to be based either around the South west, South Coast, East Anglia and Scotland.
 

Overview:

• Proactively identify and pursue new business opportunities in the marine insurance sector.

• Build and nurture relationships with marine trade professionals, yacht owners, brokers, and industry stakeholders.

• Deliver tailored insurance solutions that meet client needs and drive revenue growth.

• Collaborate with underwriting and client servicing teams to ensure seamless onboarding and client satisfaction.

• Understand vessel operations, trading patterns, and risk exposures to position our brokerage as a technical partner

• Represent the company at industry events, exhibitions, and networking forums.

• Maintain accurate records of sales activity and pipeline progress.

• Keep ahead of market developments including sanctions, regulatory changes, and emerging marine risks

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of all the main classes of General Insurance and the CII’s Code of Ethics and GDPR

• Strong understanding of marine trade and yacht insurance markets.

• A solid background in business development

Skills:

• Proven experience in business development or sales, ideally within insurance or marine sectors.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• A proactive, consultative approach to client engagement

• Self-starter with a strategic mindset and a passion for growth.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines

• Ability to gather and analyse information from the client

• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to an individual client’s level of understanding

• Ability to persuade and influence others

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years in a Business Development role

• Marine qualifications (desirable)

• Cert CII ( desirable)

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

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.