Claims Handler - Legal Technical & Claims

From day one, our mission has been to create an independent business with a unique culture – one that is controlled by the people who work for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people has always been key to our success. People come to Howden Group Holdings for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering - you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden Group. Are you looking to join a rapidly growing diverse group, alongside like-minded people who want to challenge the status quo? Do you want to start your career in an independent business with a uniquely creative culture, controlled by the people who work for it? How would you like to become a part of a business which has shared values, an encouraging culture, and a vision to succeed? Howden Group is made up of more than 12,000 people in over 40 territories who are working together to build something different in insurance. Founded by 3 men and a dog, Howden has always been employee-owned and driven by an ambitious, dynamic, and entrepreneurial way of thinking. People come to Howden for lots of different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture! That’s what sets us apart, and why we nurture and retain the best talent in the market. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, or volunteering opportunities - you’ll find like-minded people inspiring change at Howden. What will you be doing? The nature of the Legal, Technical & Claims role is that it crosses between and supports various business units with the Financial Lines Group and beyond. It will allow you to have involvement in both high-profile claims and client tenders, and also develop an understanding of the insurance broking business across the Financial Lines division. The key areas of focus are:

• Claims advocacy – you’ll be working closely with colleagues as part of a team handling complex, high value claims for large financial institutions (including cyber, professional indemnity, and directors’ & officers’ coverage). As part of this:
• You will be handling your own claims as well as assisting others on more complex and challenging matters for nominated clients.
• We need you to approach claims handling on an “added value” basis, applying your legal expertise in providing advice to the clients on coverage issues and other technical matters.
• Your role will include preparing substantive notifications, proactively managing the flow of information (including challenging insurers as appropriate) and taking a strategic approach to claims resolution.
• Legal and technical support – you’ll act as a legal and technical expert for the broader placing team, in particular:
• assisting in the development of base form policy wordings, drafting and negotiating bespoke solutions to clients’ or brokers’ issues;
• working with the broader team on new business pitches, including review of policy wordings and technical analysis to supplement market information; and
• assisting in preparation of thought-leadership articles, seminars, internal training sessions and claims data offerings.
• This role offers significant opportunity for you to become a subject matter expert on specific coverage areas (for example cyber insurance) and/or technical issues.
• It also provides you the opportunity to develop your own contacts with others in the market, on both claims and technical sides, to assist with claims resolution and wordings negotiations.
• As a result, in addition to a legal background the ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, be confident in explaining complex matters both clearly and simply, and be able to multi-task to tight deadlines. They will have excellent interpersonal skills, good commercial acumen, be organised and a team player, and be able to develop sustainable long-term relationships. Experience of working in the insurance environment in a claims or technical wordings role is helpful but not a necessity.

What is in it for you?

• Structured training and day to day support to develop your legal and insurance skill-set and learn how the insurance market operates
• Tailored training to develop your client skills and commercial awareness
• £X Starting salary
• 25 days holiday
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Benefits including: Private medical insurance, Cycle to Work scheme, Tech vouchers, charitable giving, Gym memberships, and many more

What do we need from you?

• No experience in a claims or broking role is essential, but you must be willing to apply yourself and commit to learning the insurance and claims industry.
• A degree (or equivalent) in any legal subject, level 2:1 or above, completed by September 2022 and within the past 4 years. We are keen to hear from graduates, those who have completed the LPC or BVC, and/or trainees approaching qualification.
• Strong communication skills, being confident in explaining complex matters clearly and simply. You will be required to liaise with clients, other third parties and internally on a regular basis.
• You’ll need to be able to develop sustainable long-term relationships both internally and externally.
• A strong drive with a commercial mind-set.
• Adaptability for working independently and as part of the team.

What do we offer in return? A career that you define. Yes, we offer all the usual rewards and benefits - including great healthcare provision, a wide variety of wellbeing offers, competitive salary, generous pensions 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. Our Culture: People First We are proud to be at the global table, but we are most proud of our culture. It has been built on a single and constant set of principles over more than 25 years, and it has helped us become:

• An international group with independence and people at its heart
• A home for talent with a unique culture: the biggest small company in the world

The focus on being a People First business has always been at the very heart of the Group. David’s vision was to create an independent business with a unique culture; one that would survive and thrive as a business controlled by the people working for it. Finding the most talented and entrepreneurial people to join the Group has been and will continue to be key. Diversity & Inclusion At Howden Group Holdings 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. Additional Job Details Worker Type: Permanent