Operations Director - US Facultative Reinsurance

Job description

Howden Re is the global reinsurance broker and risk, capital & strategic advisor focused on relentless innovation & superior analytics for top client service. ​ ​ About Role About Howden Re: Howden Re is a leading global reinsurance broker and strategic advisor. To support continued investment and growth in our US Facultative business, we are seeking an Operations Director to lead and further develop the operational infrastructure that underpins our client service and business objectives. Position Summary: The Operations Director will be responsible for leading and continually developing the operational infrastructure supporting Howden Re's US business. Reporting to the Global Facultative COO and based in the United States, the role will play a key part in supporting the firm's growth strategy through the delivery of operational excellence, strong governance and scalable business support capabilities. The successful candidate will work closely with business leadership, local COO and Operations leaders, and the Global Facultative COO to enhance and evolve the operating model, ensuring it remains efficient, well-controlled and aligned to the needs of a growing organization. The Operations Director will serve as a senior operational leader within the US business, driving continuous improvement, strengthening operational capabilities and ensuring alignment with broader organizational objectives and global best practices. This role will play a central part in defining how business is supported, processed, controlled and governed across the United States. It requires an experienced operational leader who can provide structure, establish effective governance frameworks, develop talent, embed robust controls and partner effectively with business and operational stakeholders. Working collaboratively across the wider organization, the Operations Director will leverage existing infrastructure, expertise and shared service capabilities to ensure the US business is supported by a scalable, efficient and fit-for-purpose operating model capable of supporting future growth. z Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership Partner with the Global Facultative COO to develop and execute the operational strategy for the US Facultative business. Build and implement a scalable operating model capable of supporting significant business growth. Working in partnership with broking leadership and local COO and Operations Leaders to align operational priorities with business strategy. Provide operational insight, management information and recommendations to support strategic decision making. Represent Facultative Operations in relevant business planning, governance and steering forums. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, productivity, client service and operational resilience. Operating Model & Service Delivery Define and implement clear responsibilities and service ownership across Broking, Operations and Shared Services functions. Establish service delivery models, workflow ownership and performance standards supporting the Facultative placement lifecycle. Ensure operational capacity, resource planning and organizational design remain aligned to business growth objectives. Build scalable operational structures capable of supporting organic growth, future hires, acquisitions or team integrations. Partner with the existing Treaty operation to leverage shared infrastructure, capability and process expertise where appropriate. Create clear escalation pathways and operational decision-making forums. Operational Excellence Design, implement and maintain operational processes supporting the complete Facultative placement lifecycle. Establish operational standards, procedures, controls and service level expectations. Ensure effective coordination between Broking, Contracts, Technical Processing, Fiduciary, Accounting & Claims, Compliance and Technology teams. Monitor operational performance through KPIs, service metrics and management reporting. Identify process bottlenecks and implement continuous improvement initiatives. Lead root cause analysis and remediation of operational incidents, processing issues and control failures. Controls, Governance & Risk Management Establish and maintain a robust control framework supporting US Facultative activities. Ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, delegated authorities and applicable business procedures. Act as first line operational lead for risk management and control oversight. Support internal and external audits and oversee remediation of audit findings. Monitor operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies. Ensure records, process documentation, evidence and procedure manuals are accurate, complete and maintained. Technology & Transformation Partner with Technology teams to implement systems and digital solutions supporting Facultative operations. Support the roll-out and optimization of broking platforms, workflow tools and operational technologies. Drive automation initiatives and identify opportunities to reduce manual processing. Act as the operational lead for relevant transformation and change programs. Ensure operational requirements are reflected in future platform development and technology roadmaps. Team Leadership Recruit, develop and lead a high-performing US Facultative Operations team. Establish team structures, role accountabilities, objectives and succession plans. Set performance expectations and monitor delivery against agreed goals and service standards. Coach, mentor and develop colleagues to support career progression and capability growth. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional challenge and continuous improvement. Promote operational excellence, strong risk management behaviors and a high standard of documentation discipline. Stakeholder Management Develop strong relationships with broking leadership, brokers, clients, markets and internal support functions. Serve as the primary operational escalation point for the US Facultative business. Partner with the Global Facultative COO and Facultative leadership team to define and implement global operational standards, best practices and strategic initiatives. Work collaboratively with local COO and Operations teams across Howden Re to leverage existing capabilities, infrastructure and expertise. Ensure the US Facultative operating model aligns with broader organizational and global Facultative objectives. Support key client initiatives, operational due diligence exercises and business growth activities where required. Qualifications & Experience: Required Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience. 10+ years of insurance or reinsurance operational experience. Significant experience within Facultative, Specialty or complex insurance / reinsurance operations. Proven track record of building, leading and developing operational teams. Experience implementing operational controls, governance frameworks and process improvements. Experience managing change, transformation or technology initiatives. Strong understanding of insurance and reinsurance placement processes and lifecycle management. Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a growth environment. Preferred Experience within a global reinsurance intermediary. Experience supporting Facultative Property, Casualty and Specialty business. Professional insurance qualifications or equivalent industry accreditation. Experience supporting platform implementations, workflow automation or operational transformation initiatives. Understanding of US reinsurance market practices and related operational / regulatory requirements. Skills & Competencies: Strategic thinker with strong commercial awareness. Strong leadership and people management capability. Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills. Ability to influence senior stakeholders across multiple functions. Strong analytical and data-driven approach. Clear written and verbal communication skills. High levels of accountability, ownership and resilience. Ability to operate in a dynamic and evolving business environment. Strong organizational and project management skills. Commitment to operational excellence, professional standards and continuous improvement. Success Measures: During the first 12–24 months, the Operations Director will be expected to: Establish a scalable operational structure supporting US Facultative growth. Successfully recruit, onboard and develop the US Facultative Operations team. Implement appropriate controls, procedures and governance frameworks. Deliver measurable improvements in operational efficiency, service quality and processing discipline. Support successful implementation of technology, workflow and automation initiatives. Maintain strong audit, compliance and risk management outcomes. Create a collaborative operating model across Facultative, Treaty and Corporate functions. Provide reliable management information and clear visibility of operational performance. The expected annual salary for this role is $200,000-$250,000; actual salary will be determined based on factors including candidate experience and work location. This role is classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). What we offer: A career that you define. Yes, we offer all the usual rewards and benefits - including medical, dental, vision, a wide variety of wellbeing offers, competitive salary, unlimited PTO, 401k with company match, paid volunteer days and more. We provide an environment where new ideas are encouraged and celebrated, where people who want to have a real hand in our success thrive. We want people who want to make a difference - not just in the workplace, but in the industry and in the wider community. EEO Statement: We consider our people our chief competitive advantage and as such we treat colleagues, candidates, clients, and business partners with equality, fairness, and respect. Howden Re North America provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Howden Re will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.