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.
Title: Manager of Credentialing Market Enablement
Location: Remote (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
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 Manager of Credentialing & Market Enablement is responsible for leading the carrier onboarding and management function for Howden US, ensuring that new and existing carrier relationships are established, maintained, and optimized with accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance. This role sets strategic direction and governance standards for carrier setup, contract negotiation, market access, and risk/compliance screening. The Head of Carrier Management partners closely with operational leaders, technology teams, and client service executives to drive process efficiency, automation, and exceptional client experience at scale.
You will oversee a team of managers and analysts, providing leadership, coaching, and guidance to ensure consistency, quality, and continuous improvement across all business units.
What will you be doing?
Enterprise Strategy & Governance
Define and execute the shared service strategy for carrier onboarding and management across all business units.
Establish governance frameworks, SLAs, and performance metrics to ensure efficiency, consistency, and compliance.
Partner with operational and functional leaders to align carrier management delivery with enterprise objectives and service standards.
Develop policies, controls, and audit-ready procedures that ensure compliance with regulatory, carrier, and client requirements.
Carrier Onboarding & Relationship Management
Oversee end-to-end onboarding of carriers, intermediaries, MGAs/MGUs, wholesalers, and brokers through the US regional service center.
Manage contract negotiation, market access, and appointment processes, ensuring all documentation and compliance requirements are met.
Coordinate risk and compliance screening, including AML/KYC, sanctions, and due diligence, in partnership with the Security & Counterparty team.
Maintain centralized records and systems (Epic, EOS, Master Entity Tracker, MCAT Worksheet) for tracking entity status and readiness.
Serve as an escalation point for critical issues, coordinating with carriers and account teams to ensure resolution.
Ensure quality assurance through proactive review, trend analysis, and root cause resolution.
Carrier Onboarding & Relationship Management
Oversee adherence to state, carrier, and regulatory requirements related to carrier onboarding and management.
Maintain enterprise-level visibility into audit trails, exception management, and remediation activities.
Partner with compliance and risk management functions to proactively identify and mitigate operational risks.
Ensure readiness for internal and external audits through standardized documentation and governance.
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Key Skills & Competencies
Enterprise Leadership: Ability to manage large-scale operations across multiple regions and business units.
Carrier Management Expertise:
Deep understanding of carrier onboarding, contract negotiation, and market access processes.
Risk & Compliance Awareness: Strong understanding of regulatory, carrier, and documentation requirements.
Strategic Partnership: Ability to collaborate effectively with business, compliance, and technology stakeholders.
Analytical Acumen: Proficiency in using performance data to drive decision-making and process optimization.
Change Leadership: Experience leading transformation within shared service or COE environments.
Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with carriers, intermediaries, and internal teams.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in business, Operations, Insurance, or related field.
8–12 years of experience in insurance operations, carrier management, or enterprise process management.
At least 3–5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing multi-region or centralized operations.
Proven success implementing governance, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience with insurance systems (e.g., Epic, EOS, AMS360, or equivalent platforms).
Demonstrated expertise in carrier onboarding, contract negotiation, and compliance screening.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected base salary range for this role is $90,000 - $120,000; 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 accounts
401(k) retirement plan
Flexible Paid Time Off and paid parental leave
Life and Disability insurance
What do we offer in return? 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, 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.
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.
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