HR Business Partner

HR Business Partner

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 23,000 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.

12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Location: Birmingham - Hybrid (with some weekly travel to core operational sites)

The Role

We are seeking an experienced HR Business Partner to deliver commercially aligned HR solutions for our Howden UK&I Retail business. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a transformational environment alongside divisional business leaders who are building substantial, customer-focused businesses.

You will embed yourself within the business to understand its unique requirements and partner with leaders to provide tailored HR solutions that enable delivery of ambitious growth plans. Working closely with the Senior HR Business Partner and collaborating across our wider HR function—including Centres of Expertise in Recruitment, Reward, Talent & Development, and HR Operations—you will help deliver best-in-class people interventions that underpin Howden's growth and transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with leaders across Howden UK&I Retail to translate business strategy into an aligned and integrated People Plan.
• Support the Senior HR Business Partner in implementing people initiatives and driving transformational change, including M&A activity.
• Gather insights into divisional talent needs, aspirations, and challenges to inform HR strategies.
• Contribute to recruitment, performance management, leadership planning, and organizational development initiatives.
• Collaborate with Centres of Expertise to deliver tailored HR solutions and ensure a seamless employee experience.
• Assist with annual compensation processes and ensure robust, transparent reward practices.
• Analyse HR data and MI to provide actionable insights that influence business decisions.
• Build strong relationships across the organization and act as a trusted advisor to leaders.
• Stay informed on external market trends and apply learnings internally.

About You

• Proven experience as an HR Business Partner in fast-paced, commercial environments (insurance industry experience preferred).
• Strong knowledge of all HR disciplines, with ability to deliver both strategic and operational solutions.
• Skilled in building relationships across complex, multi-cultural businesses and influencing senior leaders.
• Data-driven and tech-savvy, confident in using insights to inform decisions and streamline processes.
• Resilient and adaptable, able to navigate ambiguity and deliver results in dynamic environments.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to challenge constructively and manage difficult conversations.

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.