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.
Vice President, Business Development
Hybrid out of Chicago, IL
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.
What is the role?
About Howden Private Capital
Howden Private Capital (formerly Atlantic Global Risk) is the transactional risk arm of Howden, one of the world's leading independent insurance brokers. We advise private equity sponsors, corporations, investment banks, and law firms on Representations & Warranties Insurance (RWI), Tax Liability Insurance, Contingent Risk, Structured Risk, and Credit Insurance solutions. Our team supports many of the most complex M&A and capital markets transactions across North America and globally.
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated Vice President, Business Development to lead and expand Howden Private Capital's commercial development efforts across the Midwest region, with Chicago serving as the primary market. This is a market-facing role focused on originating new relationships, creating opportunities for our brokerage team, and strengthening the Howden Private Capital brand among private equity firms, corporate acquirers, investment banks, and M&A law firms.
The successful candidate will be responsible for developing a disciplined business development strategy, generating qualified meetings and opportunities, coordinating market outreach efforts, and partnering closely with brokers to convert relationships into revenue-generating business.
What will you be doing?
Business Development & Origination
Develop and execute a strategic business development plan for the Midwest region.
Build and maintain relationships with private equity sponsors, independent sponsors, corporate development teams, investment banks, and leading M&A law firms.
Generate qualified meetings and introductions for senior brokers and coverage specialists.
Identify and cultivate new business opportunities primarily with respect to RWI and secondarily with respect to other key transactional (e.g., Tax, Contingent, Structured Risk, and Credit Insurance) and operational insurance products)
Maintain an organized and methodical outreach process utilizing CRM systems and reporting tools.
Relationship Management
Serve as an ambassador for the Howden Private Capital brand throughout the Midwest deal community.
Maintain regular contact with existing and prospective clients through targeted outreach and relationship-building initiatives.
Coordinate roadshows, networking events, conferences, and client entertainment activities.
Partner with brokers and senior leadership to develop and deepen key market relationships.
Market Presence
Represent Howden Private Capital at industry conferences, association events, and transaction-focused networking opportunities.
Assist with the planning and execution of Chicago-based client events and educational programs.
Develop local market intelligence regarding sponsors, advisors, deal activity, and competitive dynamics.
Collaborate with marketing and leadership teams to increase brand recognition and market penetration.
Internal Collaboration
Work closely with senior brokers and deal teams to transition opportunities through the sales cycle.
Coordinate with other Howden specialty practices when opportunities arise across healthcare, tax, real estate, cyber, structured solutions, and other product lines.
Maintain accurate pipeline reporting and activity tracking through CRM systems.
Contribute to broader business development strategy and commercial initiatives.
What are we looking for?
Required
Bachelor's degree.
4+ years of experience in business development, sales, investment banking, private equity, transactional legal practice, insurance brokerage, or a related field.
Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail, able to effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated success building and managing executive-level relationships.
Strong networking, communication, and presentation skills.
Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong organizational abilities.
Ability to travel throughout the Midwest and nationally as needed.
Preferred
Experience working with private equity firms, investment banks, law firms, or M&A advisory businesses.
Existing network within the Chicago and broader Midwest deal community.
Familiarity with transactional insurance products and M&A processes.
Experience with Salesforce or comparable CRM platforms.
Compensation and Benefits
The expected base salary range for this role is $125,000 - $150,000+; 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
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.
PermanentSimilar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
