Direct Bill Manager

Who are we?

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.

We are seeking a Direct Bill Manager in Charlotte, NC with a hybrid work schedule.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Direct Bill Manager oversees Direct Bill operations for Health & Benefits and Private Client portfolios at Howden Specialty LLC , ensuring the timely collection, reconciliation, and processing of carrier and vendor statements. The position oversees offshore reconciliation activities, resolves billing and commission discrepancies, monitors aging and outstanding balances, and drives the timely resolution of unapplied cash and other at-risk items. Working closely with carriers, producers, account managers, clients, and Finance, the role ensures accurate revenue recognition, transparent reporting, and effective escalation management. The individual serves as a key operational and stakeholder liaison, delivering exceptional service, maintaining strong business relationships, and supporting the highest standards of accuracy, accountability, and professionalism.

What will you be doing?

Operational Responsibilities

Oversee end-to-end Direct Bill operations, principally for Health & Benefits and Private Client portfolios, ensuring timely and accurate statement collection, reconciliation, and processing, with clear escalation protocols in place where required.

Manage the collection of carrier and vendor statements, directing the offshore team to complete account reconciliations and month-end processing with markets and clients within agreed timelines.

Identify and resolve discrepancies between carrier commission statements and agency management system records, ensuring commissions are accurately posted and applied to the correct policy and client accounts.

Monitor direct bill aging and outstanding balances, following up with carriers and internal teams to clear unapplied cash and past-due items in a timely manner.

Provide regular reporting and transparency into aging items, including clear visibility for stakeholders and timely escalation of at-risk or long-outstanding balances.

Manage carrier portal access and credentials, ensuring regular and timely downloading of statements to support reconciliation and reporting timelines.

Partner with producers, account managers, and Finance to resolve client billing discrepancies and support accurate commission accrual and revenue recognition.

Stakeholder and Client Relationship

Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, serving as an effective escalation point when needed; this includes principal support for the Health & Benefits and Private Client portfolios.

Respond to business and customer requirements with agility, professionalism, and sound judgment, while upholding the highest ethical standards in all interactions.

Reporting & Projects

Maintain accurate, up‑to‑date system records and deliver accounting operations, KPI reporting, and management information.

Use data‑driven insights to steer execution priorities, identify escalation needs, and communicate effectively through clear data storytelling.

Lead assigned initiatives and actively contribute to cross‑functional projects.

Oversee account reconciliations performed by the offshore team with markets and clients, ensuring issues are identified, investigated, and resolved efficiently and accurately.

Respond to account‑related inquiries promptly and in line with defined service standards.

Compliance, Governance & Market Awareness

Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Maintain accurate records and ensure HR and T&C documentation is current and properly authorized in line with internal processes.

Monitor and assess regulatory and legal developments impacting IBA operations, implementing appropriate operational responses as needed.

Stay informed of relevant legal, regulatory, and market changes affecting the role and the business.

What are we looking for?

Qualifications:

In-depth understanding of the Direct Bill lifecycle, including statement collection and reconciliation, within an agency management system; hands-on Applied Epic tactical experience is highly desirable.

Proven experience in accounting operations, preferably within an IBA or comparable agency environment.

Experience leading and managing an offshore team responsible for reconciliation and month-end processing, developing the relationship as a full extension of the on-shore team.

Results‑oriented professional with the ability to execute independently, manage operational and accounting processes accurately, and deliver high‑quality outcomes in a fast‑paced environment.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret, manipulate, and draw insights from financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, and solutions.

Solution‑oriented mindset, capable of prioritizing tasks, resolving issues efficiently, and escalating appropriately when needed.

Proven ability to interpret, implement, and consistently enforce policies, procedures, internal controls, and governance requirements.

Clear, confident verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate data into actionable insights and influence outcomes.

Collaborative team player and role model, contributing positively across functions and supporting shared objectives.

Self‑motivated with a proactive approach to learning and continuous improvement.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected base salary range for this role is $110,000 - $140,000; 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 .

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

Reasonable adjustments

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,