# Strategic Relationship Director - Education, Student & NFP

**Company**: Howden
**Experience**: senior
**Job type**: permanent
**Category**: Insurance
**Industry**: Insurance

**Apply**: https://hyperiongrp.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/hyperion_external/job/Cheltenham---St-James-House/Strategic-Relationship-Director---Commercial---Schemes_R0019428-1?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply
**Canonical**: https://yubhub.co/jobs/job_f11b0f01-f32

## Description

Howden is seeking an experienced Strategic Relationship Director to lead a portfolio of key affinity partners and Appointed Representatives (ARs) within our Education, Student & NFP division.

This is a senior commercial leadership role focused on strengthening strategic partnerships, driving sustainable growth and ensuring effective governance across a regulated environment. Working closely with executive stakeholders, you'll play a pivotal role in protecting and growing long-term relationships while helping shape the future direction of the division.

**Key Responsibilities**

- Lead and develop strategic affinity partner and Appointed Representative relationships.

- Build and maintain trusted relationships with executive and board-level stakeholders.

- Deliver retention, revenue growth and profitability through strategic account planning and proposition development.

- Lead governance, performance and relationship review meetings.

- Identify opportunities to expand partnerships, enhance propositions and develop new products.

- Ensure partners operate within agreed governance frameworks and regulatory requirements.

- Monitor performance, manage risk and drive continuous improvement.

- Support the onboarding and integration of new strategic partners.

- Represent the business at client meetings, industry events and networking opportunities.

- Contribute to divisional strategy and long-term growth initiatives.

**What We're Looking For**

- Proven experience leading strategic partnerships, affinity relationships or major accounts within a regulated environment.

- Strong track record of delivering commercial growth and long-term relationship success.

- Experience working with Appointed Representatives, affinity schemes or delegated distribution models.

- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify and realise growth opportunities.

- Credibility and confidence engaging with executive and board-level stakeholders.

- Excellent relationship management, communication and negotiation skills.

- Understanding of regulatory and governance requirements, ideally within insurance or financial services.

- Ability to balance commercial performance with compliance and customer outcomes.

**What do we offer in return?**

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

## Skills

### Required
- strategic partnerships
- affinity relationships
- commercial growth
- regulatory requirements
- relationship management
- communication
- negotiation

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Source: [Apply at hyperiongrp.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com](https://hyperiongrp.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/hyperion_external/job/Cheltenham---St-James-House/Strategic-Relationship-Director---Commercial---Schemes_R0019428-1?utm_source=yubhub.co&utm_medium=jobs_feed&utm_campaign=apply)