Manager Legal Risk & Compliance

Job description

A LEADING GLOBAL INDEPENDENT BROKER Howden is a leading global insurance intermediary group with employee ownership at its heart. Founded in 1994, it provides insurance, reinsurance and underwriting services and solutions to clients ranging from private individuals to the largest multinational companies. The Group operates in 56 countries in Europe, the USA, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand, employs over 24,000 people and manages premiums totalling USD 51 billion on behalf of its clients. JOB OVERVIEW: We are seeking an experienced Manager, Legal, Risk & Compliance to join our team. The ideal candidate will provide day-to-day legal, risk and compliance support to the business operations, ensure that commercial activities are conducted with a sound regulatory, ethical and internal control frameworks. The role will report into the Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, with a functional reporting line into the Asia General Counsel and Asia Chief Risk Officer. YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Serve as a trusted legal and compliance adviser to senior management, providing strategic, commercially focused guidance and local subject matter expertise to support business objectives within a robust legal, governance and audit frameworks. Lead the management of complex disputes, complaints and legal matters, including oversight of external counsel, to ensure effective and commercially sound outcomes. Draft, review and negotiation of key commercial agreements, ensuring appropriate risk allocation and alignment with the firm’s strategic priorities. Interpret and anticipate legal and regulatory developments, shaping business responses and driving proactive compliance strategies across the organisation. Provide leadership oversight on compliance matters, including regulatory and business licensing obligations, financial crime controls (e.g. KYC/CDD, sanctions), and internal policy governance. Drive the development and continuous enhancement of legal, risk and compliance frameworks, ensuring alignment with group standards and local regulatory expectations. Oversee risk management activities, including risk identification, assessment and control effectiveness, to support informed decision-making. Act as a business partner across functions and the region, influencing stakeholders and promoting a strong culture of integrity, accountability and risk awareness. OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL BE: Degree holder in law and admitted to practise in Hong Kong. A current practising certificate is preferred but not essential, provided legal knowledge and skills have been maintained through continuous practice in an in-house or private practice environment. 8–10 years of relevant experience including insurance or reinsurance broking industry or in a role providing in-house counsel services to the insurance or finance sectors, or regulated bodies. Possess a strong working knowledge of insurance or reinsurance broking operations, contractual frameworks commonly used in the broking market. Familiarity with the regulatory landscape in Hong Kong (Insurance Authority), risks or compliance is advantageous. Professional and confident in handling legal and ethical matters, with the ability to provide constructive, compliant solutions and escalate in a timely manner even when operating under business pressure. Commercially minded, with the ability to balance legal rigour with pragmatic, solutions-oriented advice. Demonstrates a proactive, self-starting approach and is comfortable working across reporting lines in both Hong Kong and Singapore and collaborate with the team members in other jurisdictions operating as a global team. Strong written and oral communication skills in both English and Cantonese are essential, with the ability to distil complex legal concepts into clear, concise advice for a non-legal audience. Ability to manage different priorities across multiple stakeholders. Yes, we offer all the usual rewards and benefits – including hybrid working, free beverage in workplace, competitive compensation, birthday leave, employee stock options and more – but we know you expect all that. What you might not expect is a job where everyone has a voice, where volunteering in the community is part of the day job, and where everyone is encouraged to play a part towards our sustainability goals. We want people who want to make a difference - not just in the workplace, but in the industry and in the wider community. Howden starts with people – a culture driving force in our work, pushing us to create a company we’re proud of. One that leverages the power of insurance to shape a better future, for our clients and our communities. Our culture: People first We have seen time and again that when we give our teams the space to perform and the support to grow, our clients reap the rewards. Diversity & Inclusion We consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness and respect, regardless of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or family circumstances. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people to join Howden has been and will continue to be key. If you are interested in the above role, please send your Curriculum Vitae with full career details, availability, current and expected salary to us. (Data collected will be used for recruitment purpose only.)