Howden Group Holdings is an international insurance intermediary group composed of several specialist operating entities.
We are looking for a skilled Business Continuity Manager to join our growing global business continuity team. You will be responsible for supporting the Group Head of Business Continuity, acting as a subject matter expert for business continuity across our APAC offices, and providing occasional support to other international regions.
You will play a crucial role in safeguarding the company's resilience through business impact analysis (BIA), business continuity planning and implementation, annual reviews and scenario exercising. This includes supporting the oversight and implementation of the business continuity policy to ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Please note you will need to be in the relevant country to conduct workshops and exercises, therefore overseas travel is required.
Role Responsibilities:
1. Strategy and Planning
- Engagement with our continually expanding APAC region to ensure robust business continuity plans are in place that are regularly reviewed, updated and tested.
- Actively plans for foreseeable risks to the operational continuity of the Group
- Supports Crisis Management teams in the event of a disaster situation
- Delivers high-quality advice to the business in a practical and commercially focused way concerning business continuity planning and any relevant matters that reduces risk, resolve issues and maximise the opportunity for the business to deliver on its goals
- Supports the business in winning and retaining clients by contributing in a timely manner to due diligence requests
- Develops and provides education and awareness of business continuity planning and instils a culture of preparedness within the organisation
- Management and oversight of the mass notification tool
2. Business Continuity Planning
- BIA Reviews: Conduct BIA assessments to identify critical processes, dependencies, and recovery time objectives
- Business Continuity Planning: Develop and maintain robust Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) to confirm and develop incident management procedures, mitigate potential risks and ensure uninterrupted operations across APAC
- Scenario Testing: Plan and execute scenario tests to evaluate the effectiveness and readiness of the BCPs, identifying areas for improvement
- Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including senior management, department heads, and external partners, to ensure alignment with business continuity strategies
- Incident Response: Coordinate and lead response efforts in the event of a business disruption or crisis, minimising potential impacts and facilitating recovery
3. Policy, Process and Procedures
- Ensure all policies, procedures and audit requirements are strictly adhered to in line with best practice
- Responsible for record-keeping and communication on business continuity issues
- Participate in the ongoing review of internal policies, procedures, and professional relationships, to ensure that these are up-to-date and relevant
4. Environment, Customer Focus and Relationships
- Builds and maintains close links with peers, key internal and external stakeholders, working with the business and other functions to share information, identify risks and deliver business growth
- Liaises with external auditors as required
- Remains aware of external, industry, legal and regulatory developments etc., to ensure practices and outputs are of a sufficiently high standard
- Conduct regular external analysis and attend external forums etc., to remain aware of industry developments and ensure practices and outputs are in line with best practice
5. Technical
- Management of a business continuity software system for the production, distribution, assessment and review of BCPs and BIAs to ensure these are in line with Group requirements
- Work with Howden Group entities to identify their needs for business continuity advice and guidance and determine the best means of delivering these, balancing system requirements and compliance best practice
6. Regulatory and Compliance
- The Board of each operating entity requires the highest standards of corporate governance, operational excellence, and financial reporting from all its employees throughout the Group
- Ensure correct authorisation is obtained and processes followed when required by the operating entity and Group
- Ensure performance, HR, and T&C records are up to date and meet the operating entity and Group's requirements
Role Requirements:
- Strong track record of business continuity planning and management of disaster situations within Financial Services, working regularly with senior executives
- Knowledge of BCI Good Practice Guidelines / ISO22301 best practice
- CBCI accreditation or working towards completion
- Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
- Available for regular overseas travel
- Adaptable and able to respond effectively to a changing commercial environment
- Actively listens to the views of colleagues and business leaders, but also has the strength of character to challenge where needed to ensure operational excellence
- Aligns with the culture, vision and values of the Group
