Operations Director - US Facultative Reinsurance

About this role

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 brok

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