Senior Associate, Lenders’ Insurance Advisory

The role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Associate to join Howden’s Lenders’ Insurance Advisory (LIA) team. Howden’s LIA team was established in 2023 and is looking to expand by hiring a driven, personable and organised individual that can support the growth of this business. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-growth team and gain exposure to top-tier investment banks, law firms, sponsors/developers and financial advisors.

The candidate must have experience in the insurance industry and preferably, in advisory services, including experience in the infrastructure, energy and real estate sectors. The candidate would ideally be familiar with project finance.

The role would involve working in a specialist team and managing a portfolio of projects both in the UK and overseas. The ability to work independently but also able to work effectively as part of a team. Good verbal and written presentation skills are essential. The work relates to projects based both in the UK and overseas so knowledge of insurance and reinsurance arrangements in overseas territories would be beneficial.

What you'll day

• Work closely with and support the LIA team in their day-to-day activities, with the overarching goal of growing our LIA business.
• Contribute to the overall business success and growth objectives of the LIA team and Howden.
• Preparing proposals in response to RfP’s, negotiating fees and preparing engagement letters.
• Work closely with our operations team, to review NDAs, ensure compliance checks are complete and that invoices are sent to clients in a timely manner.
• The role will require an entrepreneurial approach, a willingness to use initiative, a desire to help grow our business within the UK and internationally, with support from members of the LIA and wider M&A team and assist in future expansion of the LIA offering internationally.
• Work with the Client Engagement team to assist with the team’s business development activities both internally and externally.
• Attend and promote the company at external conferences, events, functions etc.
• Support colleagues with other activities as required from time to time.
• Undertake insurance due diligence consultancy assignments in accordance with the agreed scope of work. This is likely to involve:
• Communication with bankers, technical advisers, project sponsors and legal advisers and borrower’s representatives and their advisers.
• Researching technical aspects of insurance for specific projects and liaising with technical specialists within Howden.
• Preparation of insurance reports - both pre-financial close and operational
• Giving written and verbal advice to lenders on the insurance aspects arising out of their loans.
• Negotiating with the project company’s placing brokers.
• Ensure that the services delivered to clients meet the working practices and standards set by the LIA team.
• Travel within the UK and overseas where required.
• Preparing fee invoices.

Who we're looking for

• Educated to Degree level standard or equivalent.
• Progress towards ACII or a willingness to complete the ACII qualification is essential.
• Experience acting as a Lenders Insurance Adviser is preferable.
• Experience of property and casualty insurance essential.
• Experience in some of the following sectors is highly desirable: renewables such as solar, wind, hydropower and battery storage, mining, power and energy, transportation/Infrastructure, real estate.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Able to interpret data with accuracy and present findings articulately.
• Innovative approach in problem solving.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Authentic communication skills for varying audience.
• Comfortable and credible at decision-maker level.
• Persistent and tenacious in achieving results.
• Self-motivated and motivates others to achieve.
• Continually builds and sustains a network managing relationships.
• MS office and other relevant IT systems expertise.
• Confident with strong communication skills, including excellent written and spoken English;
• Fluency in additional languages is desirable;