AI Business Analyst

Business Analyst – Automation \& AI

Howden Group is committed to attracting and developing exceptional talent. We believe that our people are our greatest competitive advantage, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can grow, contribute, and build a long‑term career. Internal mobility is a key part of this philosophy, and we encourage colleagues to explore new opportunities within the Group.

We are now seeking a Business Analyst to play a pivotal role in an exciting AI‑driven transformation initiative within our new US Retail insurance broking business. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our US operations by embedding automation, AI insights, and next‑generation productivity tools across the organisation.

Role Summary

The Business Analyst will act as the bridge between business teams, data specialists, technology partners, and solution providers. You will lead analysis across multiple functional domains, ensuring that AI and automation capabilities are designed, prioritised, and delivered in a way that enhances efficiency, improves customer experience, and supports our strategic growth ambitions.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment and is passionate about using AI to solve real business problems.

The Business Analyst will also play a key role in identifying and articulating the art of the possible with Generative AI (GenAI) and intelligent automation, translating emerging AI capabilities into practical, business-understandable opportunities that align with Howden’s strategic objectives and operating model evolution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead workshops, interviews, and prototyping sessions to elicit, validate, and refine business requirements.
• Conduct detailed analysis across functional areas within the US retail broking business.
• Collaborate closely with technology and solution providers to shape and evaluate AI‑enabled solutions.
• Produce high‑quality analysis artefacts including user stories, functional specifications, acceptance criteria, wireframes, process flows, and capability models.
• Drive prioritisation of requirements in partnership with business stakeholders and product owners.
• Provide clear, structured communication to project teams and senior leadership.
• Champion a delivery‑focused, proactive approach to analysis within a startup‑style environment.
• Translate complex AI concepts into clear, business-friendly language, helping stakeholders understand practical applications, risks, limitations, and expected value.
• Conduct AI opportunity assessments, including feasibility analysis, value estimation, data readiness evaluation, and risk considerations.
• Define future-state, AI-enabled business processes incorporating automation, copilots, knowledge assistants, document intelligence, and agentic task orchestration.
• Partner with Data, Architecture, and Information Security teams to ensure AI solutions align with governance, compliance, responsible AI standards, and data protection requirements.
• Support experimentation and prototyping of GenAI solutions, including prompt design, workflow modelling, and human-in-the-loop validation approaches.
• Help establish structured frameworks for evaluating AI initiatives, including measurable success criteria, adoption metrics, and value realization tracking.

Required Experience \& Skills

• Proven experience as a Lead Business Analyst, Consultant, Product Owner, or similar role within a US insurance broker, carrier, or consultancy.
• Strong understanding of end‑to‑end US retail broking processes, including placement, invoicing, certificate issuance, accounting, and settlement.
• Experience working on large‑scale business transformation programmes within the insurance sector.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high‑quality analysis deliverables and translate complex requirements into actionable solutions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders.
• Highly self‑directed, delivery‑oriented, and comfortable operating with minimal supervision.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast‑moving environment and contribute to a collaborative team culture.
• Demonstrated experience identifying and translating AI opportunities into tangible business process improvements.
• ServiceNow experience
• Ability to articulate the “art of the possible” with AI in clear, non-technical language to business stakeholders.
• Experience working with AI-driven tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT-style assistants, document intelligence solutions, or workflow automation platforms is highly desirable.
• Awareness of AI governance, ethical considerations, data privacy implications, and model risk management within regulated industries.

Location

• Remote, with occasional domestic travel as required.

Our Culture: People First

Since opening our first office in 1994, Howden has grown from a London‑based specialist broker to the world’s largest independent insurance brokerage, with more than 15,000 colleagues across 100\+ territories. Despite this scale, our values remain unchanged:

• Employee ownership

• Aligned external investors

• Trust, integrity, and long‑term relationships

• Deep expertise

• Independence

Our people‑first culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and empowerment. Employee ownership gives our colleagues a real stake in the business and fosters an entrepreneurial spirit that sets us apart. When we bring in great people and help them thrive, everyone benefits.

Diversity \& Inclusion

We believe diversity makes us stronger. We treat all colleagues, candidates, clients, and partners with fairness, respect, and equality—regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or family circumstances.