About The Role

Who are we?

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 24,000 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.

Who are we?

Howden is a collective – a group of talented and passionate people all around the world. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mind-set, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 20,000 employees spanning over 100 countries.

Our people are our biggest asset as well as our largest shareholder group and are everything that makes us unique; our inclusive culture, the quality service we offer our clients, and our continued growth, all come from our people-first approach. There’s no such thing as individual success. We all need to play our part, contributing our skills and experience to make a true difference. That’s Howden.

Why work at Howden?

We have always been employee-owned and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. Right from the beginning, we've focused on employing talented individuals and empowering them to make a real difference to the company, whilst building successful and fulfilling careers at the same time. Simply put, we hire talented specialists and give them what they need to make a difference for clients.

Always have, always will.

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 disappointed head- hunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work/life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.

What is the role?

We are seeking a part-time Private Risk Executive & Marketing Specialist in Chicago with a remote schedule.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Private Risk Executive, Strategic Placement Specialist serves as a key partner to the Private Client Growth Team, supporting the acquisition of new business through exceptional marketing, placement strategy, and technical insurance expertise. This role is responsible for designing and marketing complex personal insurance programs, negotiating with carrier partners, developing winning proposals, and supporting Business Development Executives throughout the sales process.

Unlike traditional service-focused roles, this position is primarily dedicated to new business opportunities, strategic account expansion, and carrier engagement. The ideal candidate combines strong technical insurance knowledge with a growth mindset, exceptional relationship skills, and a passion for helping clients and producers win business.

What will you be doing?

New Business Marketing & Placement

Lead the marketing and placement process for new business opportunities.
Develop strategic carrier marketing plans based on client exposures, coverage needs, and market conditions.
Prepare and distribute submission materials to insurance carriers and wholesale partners.
Negotiate pricing, coverage enhancements, terms, and conditions with carrier partners.
Evaluate multiple insurance solutions and recommend the most competitive and comprehensive options.
Maintain accountability for marketing timelines and placement deadlines.

Growth Team Partnership

Serve as a strategic partner to Business Development Executives throughout the sales process.
Participate in prospect meetings, discovery conversations, strategy sessions, and finalist presentations.
Assist in identifying coverage gaps, risk improvement opportunities, and competitive differentiators.
Support pipeline management by prioritizing opportunities and coordinating marketing efforts.
Contribute to new business growth initiatives and regional sales objectives.

Proposal Development & Presentation

Develop proposal materials, coverage comparisons, executive summaries, and presentation content.
Translate technical insurance concepts into client-focused recommendations.
Present carrier options and placement strategies in a clear and compelling manner.
Collaborate with growth and service teams to develop customized solutions for complex risks.

Carrier & Market Relationships

Build and maintain strong relationships with preferred carrier and wholesale partners.
Stay informed on underwriting appetite, market conditions, industry trends, and emerging products.
Identify opportunities to create unique solutions through carrier partnerships.
Represent Howden professionally in carrier meetings, networking opportunities, and industry events.

Account Expansion & Cross-Selling

Partner with service teams to identify opportunities for additional products and services.
Support marketing and placement efforts for significant account rounding and expansion opportunities.
Assist with retention strategies for key accounts when technical placement expertise is needed.

Transition & Implementation

Coordinate a seamless handoff of newly acquired business to service teams.
Document placement rationale, carrier decisions, and coverage structures.
Support implementation meetings and onboarding activities as appropriate.
Remain available as a technical resource during the transition period.

Qualifications

5+ years of experience in private client, personal lines, commercial insurance, underwriting, brokerage, or placement.
Strong coverage knowledge across high-net-worth personal insurance products.
Proven ability to market and negotiate insurance programs.
Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.
Active insurance license required.

Desired Attributes

Natural curiosity and an interest in solving complex client problems.
A growth-oriented mindset and comfort working in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to build strong relationships with carriers, colleagues, and clients.
Highly organized, responsive, and execution focused.
A strong sense of ownership and accountability.
Ability to balance technical expertise with business development awareness.
A collaborative approach and commitment to being part of a high-performing team.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected base salary range for this role is $40,000 - $50,000; actual base salary will be determined based on factors including candidate experience and work location. This role is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

In addition to a competitive base salary, employees are eligible to receive a discretionary bonus. Howden also offers a variety of benefits and programs, subject to eligibility, including:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance, including healthcare savings and reimbursement accounts
401(k) retirement plan
Flexible Paid Time Off and paid parental leave
Life and Disability insurance

Our sustainability promise

We’re on a life-long journey to become an ever-more sustainable group. It's a commitment to taking care of our people and the world we live in, to doing good business, and to making a positive impact wherever we can. Our governance processes, company policies, and review systems are all geared towards our goal of making a positive impact in the world. You can read more about our sustainability work here .

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.

Permanent