Associate or Deputy General Counsel - U.S. Retail BrokerageLocation: New York, NY or Miami, FL
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.
Role OverviewWe are seeking an Associate or Deputy General Counsel to serve as a trusted second-in-command to the General Counsel supporting our U.S. retail insurance brokerage operations. This is an exceptional opportunity to help shape a high-growth business, working closely with senior leadership in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. The Associate/Deputy General Counsel will take on significant day-to-day responsibilities and partner with the General Counsel to build a high-impact legal presence within the U.S. operations. This role requires a highly capable legal professional who can operate independently, step in for the General Counsel when required, and collaborate cross-functionally with global teams in M&A, Finance, and Litigation through our matrix structure.
Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Legal Partnership. The Associate/Deputy General Counsel will support the General Counsel in serving as a legal advisor to the U.S. retail insurance brokerage business, covering both specialty and retail insurance broking lines. This individual will act as a trusted advisor to the U.S. leadership team, contributing to business strategy, governance, and operational planning. The Associate/Deputy General Counsel will participate in executive-level discussions as appropriate, providing legal insight on commercial, regulatory, risk mitigation and structural matters.
Legal Operations & Governance. The Associate/Deputy General Counsel will assist in developing and implementing legal policies, procedures, and frameworks tailored to high-growth business model. This is a unique opportunity to create the practices, procedures and guardrails that will form the foundation for a newly stood up US insurance brokerage enterprise. This role will support U.S. governance structures and help ensure alignment with global standards. The individual will advise on regulatory, brokerage, licensing, and compliance across multiple states and lines of business.
Regulatory & Compliance Expertise. The Associate/Deputy General Counsel will help ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as industry-specific regulations. This includes providing expertise in NAIC guidelines, state Departments of Insurance (DOIs), and relevant federal regulatory bodies. The individual will monitor evolving regulatory landscapes and proactively manage legal risk.
Litigation & Risk Management. The Associate/Deputy General Counsel will assist in managing U.S.-based litigation and disputes, coordinating with external counsel as needed. This individual will identify legal risks and develop mitigation strategies in partnership with business leaders. Deep understanding of operational risk of a US licensed insurance broker are required as this role will partner closely with the Chief Risk Officer, Chief Data Privacy Officer, and IT for the US business to build compliant systems that allow for fast, disciplined growth while remaining compliant with a complex web of legal and regulatory operational mandates.
Team Collaboration & Development. The Associate/Deputy General Counsel will work closely with the General Counsel to help build and mentor the U.S. legal team over time. This role will collaborate with existing legal colleagues in the region and leverage the broader Howden Group legal function.
Qualifications & ExperienceThe ideal candidate will hold a Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school and an active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. The candidate should have a minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience (PQE), with meaningful in-house counsel experience preferred. A strong background in U.S. insurance, commercial, and regulatory law is required with strong preference for those with experience from the broking or intermediary side. The candidate should possess deep knowledge of the insurance retail insurance brokerage landscape, especially regulatory frameworks for specialty and broking. Experience in private equity-backed businesses or similarly dynamic, fast-paced environments is highly valued. Experience working in a multinational or matrixed environment is also desirable.
The candidate should demonstrate strategic and operational leadership, excellent communication and negotiation skills, high integrity and sound judgment, the ability to work independently and collaboratively across time zones, and strong organizational and project management capabilities.
Compensation and BenefitsThe expected base salary range for this role is $275,000 - $350,000; actual base salary will be determined based on factors including candidate experience and work location. This role is classified as 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 accounts401(k) retirement planFlexible Paid Time Off and paid parental leaveLife and Disability insurance
What Do We Offer in Return?We offer a career that you define. Our business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society's greatest challenges. We know that separate home and work lives don't really exist, so we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.
Our Sustainability PromiseWe're on a lifelong 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 toward our goal of making a positive impact in the world.
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 newWe support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challengesWe are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond
Reasonable adjustmentsWe'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.
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