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.
What we’re looking for
This is an exciting role providing operational support for various members of the EMEA leadership team. The primary aim of the Team PA role is providing administrative support to the team along with ad hoc matters. As the team handle confidential information from a number of sources, the successful role holder should be discrete and able to communicate with a diplomatic manner. The team are mainly London based and it is expected that the role will be most successful through hybrid working.
You will thrive in this role if you are extremely organised, with excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to form relationships quickly. The role requires outstanding IT skills, including MS Office products such as Excel, PowerPoint and Word, as well as the use of AI agents such as Copilot, Claude and/or Chat GPT which the business will provide you with.
Additionally, you will be confident and able to take the initiative coupled with excellent time management skills. The ability to adapt priorities to meet deadlines and constantly changing demands are essential, as are accuracy and attention to detail. This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast growing team.
What you’ll be doing
Diary management and proactive time management of competing requests
Booking travel and arranging logistics internationally and in the UK
Arranging lunches, dinners and team events
Booking meeting rooms & organising catering internally, both for the UK office as well as abroad
As required – providing administrative support including but not limited to formatting documents, reports and committee packs along with help in the preparation and organisation of business meetings
Assisting the team with tracking actions and meeting reporting deadlines
Respond appropriately to urgent issues as they arise
Handling confidential information in a discrete, sensitive and diplomatic manner
Assist with hiring requirements and onboarding of new starters within the team
Assist in the creation and management of shared platforms to encourage distribution of priorities within the wider team
Organising relevant training for team and highlighting market events/conferences that may be of interest
What qualifications we’re looking for
GCSE’s (or equivalent) including good grades in English and Maths
A levels preferred
Strong social skills – confident and able to create a positive impression
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Ability to work effectively within a team
Pragmatic and confident with a ‘can do’ attitude
Strong attention to detail and great prioritisation and organisational skills
Understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and discretion at all times
Proficient IT skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Beginner skills in using AI agents to boost one’s own productivity
English fluency is essential; an additional EMEA language is advantageous
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.
PermanentAplyr's read
Howden is a leader in air and gas handling solutions, attracting engineers and professionals in specialized roles across diverse sectors.
What's promising
- •Howden's engineering solutions are critical in industries like power and mining, offering stability.
- •Global presence provides diverse career opportunities across multiple regions.
- •Strong focus on innovation in air and gas handling technology.
What to watch
- •Highly specialized industry may limit roles for non-engineering professionals.
- •Potential for economic fluctuations to impact project funding and job security.
- •Complex global operations may lead to bureaucratic challenges.
Why Howden
- •Howden's expertise in high-performance equipment sets it apart in engineering.
- •Focus on niche markets like air and gas handling provides specialized career paths.
- •Long-standing reputation in engineering offers credibility and industry respect.
Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?
About Howden
Howden is a global engineering company that designs and manufactures air and gas handling solutions, specializing in the provision of high-performance equipment and services.