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.
Managing Director – Private Equity Insurance
Location: New York, NY
Business Unit: Howden Private Capital
Overview
Howden Private Capital is a leading specialist insurance broker delivering innovative risk transfer solutions across Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax, Contingent Risks, and Structured Credit.
The Managing Director will serve as a senior commercial leader and trusted advisor to private equity clients, responsible for originating, structuring, and executing complex insurance solutions that support transactions, portfolio management, and fund-level strategies.
This role sits at the intersection of private equity, capital markets, and insurance, delivering bespoke solutions that unlock value, mitigate downside risk, and enhance transaction outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Originate and lead new business opportunities with private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and credit investors
Build and maintain senior relationships across:
Private equity firms
Investment banks
Legal advisors
Corporate development teams
Act as a lead advisor on transaction insurance placements (e.g., RWI, tax, contingent risk)
Drive cross-selling across Howden’s broader capabilities, including structured credit and portfolio solutions
Lead end-to-end execution of insurance solutions across the deal lifecycle:
Pre-signing structuring
Due diligence support
Placement and negotiation
Post-close advisory
Provide strategic advice on insurability, risk allocation, and policy structure
Oversee underwriting engagement and negotiation to secure optimal pricing and coverage terms
Ensure delivery of best-in-class policy wording and risk transfer outcomes
Leverage deep relationships with global insurance carriers and capital providers to drive competitive advantage
Identify emerging trends across:
Private equity deal structures
Insurance market capacity
Alternative risk transfer solutions
Contribute to product innovation and development of bespoke insurance structures
Position Howden as a market leader in private equity insurance solutions
Lead and mentor junior and mid-level professionals across deal teams
Collaborate cross-functionally with:
M&A insurance specialists
Credit and structured solutions teams
Global Howden offices
Drive a high-performance, client-first culture
Maintain accountability for deal economics, pipeline management, and revenue forecasting
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal governance standards
Oversee quality and consistency of deliverables, including:
Client presentations
Diligence reports
Placement documentation
Qualifications & Experience
Required
7–10+ years of experience in:
Transactional insurance (RWI, tax, contingent risk), OR
Investment banking / private equity with strong insurance exposure
Proven track record of originating and closing complex, high-value transactions
Deep relationships within the private equity and M&A ecosystem
Strong understanding of:
Deal structures and purchase agreements
Risk allocation in transactions
Insurance market dynamics
Preferred
Experience working with global insurance carriers and underwriting processes
Background in law, finance, or accounting (common across Howden teams)
Demonstrated ability to structure bespoke or non-standard risk transfer solutions
Core Competencies
Strategic advisory mindset
Commercial leadership and deal origination
Advanced negotiation and influencing skills
Technical expertise in transaction risk insurance
Strong stakeholder management at the C-suite level
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
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