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.
Position: Credentialing Specialist
Location: Remote (Grand Rapids, MI)
Why Join Howden US?
At Howden, we’re not just building a business- We’re rewriting the rules of what a global insurance broker can be. And now, it’s your turn to be part of something extraordinary. From three people and a dog to over 22,000 employees across 56 countries, we’ve grown into a $4bn revenue powerhouse with bold ambition: to become a $13bn business with 40,000 people by 2030.
We’re launching our US retail platform with the same entrepreneurial spirit that’s driven our success worldwide- and we’re looking for trailblazers to help shape the future.
Why Howden?
You’ll Own It
With 6,000 employee shareholders owning 34% of the company, our unique ownership model means you’re not just joining a team—you’re building a business you truly own.
You’ll Be Empowered
We’re a destination for talent where people are trusted to look after their clients and grow together. You’ll have the freedom to lead, backed by global scale and local expertise.
You’ll Be Part of Something Bigger
Our integrated platform spans broking, reinsurance, and MGA capabilities—giving you access to everything you need to deliver for clients and build something remarkable
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.
What is the role?
The Credentialing Specialist manages the administrative and relationship-building aspects of an insurance agency's relationship with its insurance carriers. Key responsibilities include setting up new agent appointments, managing carrier-related inquiries, assisting with carrier rollouts, managing carrier portal access, and ensuring agents have the necessary training and access to carrier systems. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, collaborative, and experienced in insurance operations
What will you be doing?
Agent appointment and onboarding: Process the applications and paperwork to get insurance agents appointed with specific carriers, ensuring they are authorized to sell the carrier's products.
Relationship management: Act as a primary point of contact for carrier representatives and internal agents regarding carrier access, systems, and policies.
System and product support: Help agents with system logins, explain product features, and manage the transfer of policies between carriers.
Process and project management: Coordinate with other departments, such as the product team, on carrier rollouts and help determine appointment structures and project plans.
Compliance and administration: Ensure all carrier appointments comply with state regulations and assist with tasks like background checks and licensing support.
Key Skills & Competencies
Administrative skills: Strong organizational skills are essential for managing a large volume of appointments, paperwork, and follow-ups.
Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication is necessary to interact with carrier representatives and agents.
Technical proficiency: Must be comfortable with using scheduling software, CRM programs, and the online platforms provided by carriers for managing policies.
Problem-solving: Ability to handle conflicts, answer inquiries, and troubleshoot issues that arise with carrier appointments or systems.
Insurance knowledge: A basic understanding of insurance products and the carrier appointment process is often required.
Qualifications
3+ years of experience in insurance operations, preferably in carrier management.
Strong understanding of carrier processes and insurance systems.
Excellent project management and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Excel, AMS systems (e.g., Epic, AMS360), and CRM tools.
What do we offer in return? A career that you define.
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 business succeeds by allowing our people to make a mark in the areas they care about most: personal development, volunteering, and fundraising for charity, or creating new insurance products that address society’s greatest challenges.
And we know that separate home and work lives don't really exist. If you're happy and healthy at home, you're more likely to be happy and fulfilled at work – and vice versa. That's why we do our best to support our people in every aspect of their lives.
Diversity and Inclusion At Howden we value diversity - there is no one Howden ‘personality 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 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 age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.
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.
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