HR Business Partner - International

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. The HR Business Partner – International will work closely with and provide day-to-day support to the HR Lead for International helping to improve the overall HR service and elevate business partnering across our international offices. This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role for an experienced HR generalist who is equally comfortable rolling up their sleeves on operational HR matters and building credible, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple countries. You will act as a key point of contact for managers and employees outside the UK, bringing strong knowledge of employment legislation and market practice across Europe (and ideally further afield) to ensure we operate compliantly and competitively in every jurisdiction in which we do business. Key Responsibilities Work with the HR team to design and deliver an improved HR operating model and service across our international locations. Act as a trusted business partner to leaders and managers outside the UK, providing pragmatic, commercially-minded HR advice and coaching. Provide expert guidance on local employment law, statutory requirements and market practice across multiple European jurisdictions, escalating and managing local legal/HR advisor relationships where needed. Lead and support end-to-end employee relations casework (grievances, disciplinaries, performance management, restructures) across different countries, ensuring compliant and consistent handling. Support international recruitment and onboarding, working with the Talent Acquisition Team, hiring managers and external partners to attract and integrate talent in new and existing markets. Manage or support cross-border HR projects, including harmonisation of policies, contracts, benefits and HR processes across jurisdictions. Own or contribute to core HR cycle activities internationally — performance management, salary review, bonus process, talent and succession planning. Advise on and help implement compliant approaches to entering new territories (e.g. employer of record arrangements, local entity set-up considerations, TUPE and cross-border transfers). Build strong working relationships with local HR, finance, legal and compliance teams to ensure HR practice aligns with broader regulatory obligations relevant to a reinsurance broking business. Use HR data and metrics to identify trends, risks and opportunities across the international employee population, and translate these into recommendations. Maintain oversight of local employment documentation, employee handbook requirements and policy governance across international jurisdictions, ensuring ongoing legal compliance and alignment with group standards. Champion best practice, consistency and continuous improvement in HR processes, documentation and systems across all jurisdictions. Support wider HR initiatives such as engagement, DEI, wellbeing and organisational design as the international business scales. Experience & Skills Required Proven HR generalist / HR Business Partner experience gained within a complex, multi-jurisdictional or international organisation — financial/professional services, insurance or reinsurance broking background strongly preferred. Solid, current working knowledge of employment legislation and HR practices across multiple European countries, and confidence navigating jurisdictions where you don't hold deep local expertise, by knowing what to check and who to ask. Experience managing complex employee relations cases across borders, with sound judgement on risk and appropriate escalation. Track record of business partnering with senior stakeholders, building credibility and influence at all levels. Experience supporting or leading HR projects such as policy harmonisation, restructures, TUPE, M&A integration or entity set-up in new markets. Fluency in English plus working proficiency in at least one other European language; additional languages are a strong advantage. Comfortable operating in a smaller HR team where you'll need to move between business partnering and hands-on operational delivery. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with genuine cultural sensitivity and adaptability when working across different markets and ways of working. Good working knowledge of HRIS and HR data/reporting; able to use insight to inform decisions. Degree educated or equivalent; CIPD qualification (or international equivalent) desirable. Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required. Experience managing external employment counsel and HR consultants effectively, balancing legal risk, operational practicality and cost. Balances commercial priorities with legal and people risk considerations. Remains resilient and adaptable in a fast-changing international environment. Builds trusted relationships quickly across cultures and levels of seniority. What We're Looking For Someone who thrives on complexity and ambiguity, enjoys building things from the ground up, and can flex between strategic business partnering and practical, on-the-ground HR delivery. You will be a natural relationship-builder who is equally credible with a senior leader in one country and an employee navigating a personal issue in another, and who brings energy and rigour to improving how HR operates as our international business continues to grow. 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