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.
Product Manager – Howden World
About the Role
Howden is implementing Howden World, a digital collaboration and communication programme designed to connect over 22,000 colleagues worldwide — enabling them to share knowledge and work more effectively.
We are seeking a strategic and user-focused Product Manager to drive adoption and continuous improvement of Howden World across our organisation. This platform leverages Microsoft 365, SharePoint Online, Viva Suite, Modern Workplace, and ServiceNow to enhance employee engagement, productivity, and well-being.
This is a new role within the Collaboration and Client Solutions team, supporting the delivery of the first phase of Howden World—our global-to-local intranet ecosystem—and taking ownership of the future roadmap and rollout.
This is a high-impact role requiring strong leadership, deep expertise in the Microsoft ecosystem, and a passion for driving global change through technology. You will collaborate closely with the IT delivery Product Manager and support teams.
Location: Central London (Hybrid: 2–3 days onsite per week)
Travel: Occasional international travel to support global implementation
Key Responsibilities
Serve as the primary product owner for Howden World, managing the roadmap, feature rollouts, and integrations with Microsoft 365 tools and systems.
Define and maintain the product roadmap, aligning it with business priorities and transformation goals.
Oversee the transition from programme to business-as-usual, including service desk integration and performance reporting.
Contribute to the global digital workplace strategy, aligning Microsoft Viva tools with Howden’s transformation objectives.
Ensure governance, data protection, and compliance standards are met in collaboration with legal, risk, and IT teams.
Manage vendor relationships as appropriate and oversee external partners supporting delivery.
Engage with global business units to understand collaboration and communication needs, translating them into Microsoft 365 and Viva solutions, or identifying potential technologies to integrate into the Howden World stack.
Partner with other Product and Service Owners to ensure alignment across initiatives.
Build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels and across geographies.
Prepare executive-level presentations and updates for senior stakeholders.
Facilitate communication between IT and business teams, ensuring alignment and continuous improvement.
Use stakeholder feedback and analytics to optimise the employee experience.
Integrate change management principles into rollout plans to support adoption and engagement.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
8+ years of experience in product ownership, digital transformation, or enterprise collaboration platforms.
Deep knowledge of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Viva Suite).
Experience with ServiceNow and AI-driven solutions is advantageous.
Proven experience in global Microsoft 365 implementations, including SharePoint and Viva Engage/Yammer.
Familiarity with governance, compliance, and risk management in digital workplaces.
Skilled in Agile methodologies, backlog management, and roadmap development.
Strong executive reporting and presentation skills.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication abilities across global teams.
Strategic thinker with a pragmatic, problem-solving mindset.
Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
What We Offer
A career that you define.
At Howden, everyone has a voice. Volunteering in the community is part of the day job, and we encourage everyone to contribute to our sustainability goals. We seek individuals who want to make a difference—not just within the business, but across our industry and communities.
Our Culture: People First
Our core values define how we live and work. Howden is a global group with independence and people at its heart—the biggest small company in the world.
Being a People First business means we prioritise our colleagues’ growth, well-being, and autonomy. We are committed to attracting the most talented and entrepreneurial people to ensure we continue to thrive as a people-owned organisation.
Diversity & Inclusion
At Howden, we see our people as our greatest advantage. We treat all colleagues, candidates, clients, and partners with equality, fairness, and respect, regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.
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
