Account Handler - Corporate & Commercial

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 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.

Howden Scotland are on the hunt for an Account Handler to support their team in the administration of clients' insurance requirements, including general enquiries, renewals, mid-term adjustments, obtaining quotations and invoicing of premiums. Offering professional advice to our commercial clients.
Working with our close-knit team of four, you'll be adding value to the team and supporting an account executive on a daily basis.

Please note this is a full-time, permanent opportunity. You will be based in our Galashiels office and ideally be onsite for 2 days per week on average.

Overview:

• Assist in achieving Group/Division client retention targets by providing an excellent level of service.
• Liaise effectively with the Account Executive to ensure an appropriate strategy for renewal, attend client meetings as necessary and action meeting points (if applicable).
• Undertake market exercise to establish the most competitive terms available.
• Obtain renewal terms and present to client.
• Issue renewal documentation in line with contract certainty.
• Ensure premiums are collected prior to the commencement of cover and in line with Howden procedures.
• Handle all queries, whether written or by telephone, in a professional manner and process effectively in line with service standards.
• Record all relevant information, correspondence, and documentation on Acturis and make effective use of the diary system.
• Produce accurate and professional documentation at all times using relevant Howden templates.
• Process adjustments in line with procedures, including notification to insurers, issue of revised documentation, and collection of additional premium.
• Actively cross-sell products from other Divisions.
• Liaise with and assist other branches and Group Resources, as necessary.

Knowledge:

• Working knowledge of all the main classes of General Insurance and the CII's Code of Ethics and GDPR.
• You must have a minimum of 2 years' commercial experience.
• Responsibility for own personal development and for keeping own knowledge up to date by the use of e-learning, in-house courses, and studying for professional qualifications in order to gain the required CPD points.

Skills:

• A Good level of technical insurance skills, to be assessed by regular in-house testing.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to process work quickly and efficiently.
• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• Excellent client service skills.
• Good negotiation and broking skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to gather and analyse information from the client.
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to an individual client's level of understanding.
• Ability to persuade and influence others.

Qualifications:

• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent).
• Cert CII (desirable for this role).

Our Culture: People First

We've travelled far since opening our first office in 1994. Back then we were local experts - based in London, with direct access to the world's biggest insurance market. We're still locals, and we still deliver the right advice and the right insurance to our clients. But now, we're local all over the world. With 15,000 global colleagues and a partner network spanning more than 100 territories, we are the largest independent insurance broker in the world. But our values haven't changed since day one, when we set out to create a company grounded in:

• An employee-ownership model
• Aligned external investors
• The trust and integrity born of friendship
• Expertise
• Independence

Our focus on being a people-first business has always been at the very heart of Howden. Our 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. Our employee ownership model sets us apart in the market. It's created a culture of collaboration and innovation, where we're driven to think bigger and empowered to challenge convention.

Our flat structure and entrepreneurial spirit help us attract the best people and empower them to be the best version of themselves. And when we bring in and nurture great talent, more follows. That makes us better - and that's better for everyone.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Howden 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.