Direct Bill Specialist

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.

What is the role?

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

ROLE SUMMARY

The Direct Bill Specialist will provide day-to-day Direct Bill processing and reconciliation support, principally for Howden US, with a focus on Health & Benefits and Private Client portfolios. This role ensures carrier and vendor statements are collected, reconciled, and processed accurately and on time; investigates billing and commission discrepancies; monitors aging and unapplied cash; and maintains complete, accurate records within the agency management system. Working closely with carriers, finance, and operations teams to ensure accurate commission posting and revenue recognition, transparent reporting, timely escalation, and high-quality stakeholder service.

What will you be doing?

Operational Responsibilities

• Collect carrier and vendor statements and complete timely, accurate processing and reconciliation within agreed timelines, escalating exceptions where required.

• Reconcile carrier commission statements to agency management system records and ensure commissions are posted and applied to the correct policy and client accounts.

• Investigate and resolve billing, commission, and reconciliation discrepancies in partnership with carriers and internal stakeholders.

• Monitor Direct Bill aging, outstanding balances, and unapplied cash, following through with carriers and internal teams to resolve past-due or at-risk items.

• Maintain carrier portal access and credentials and download statements on schedule to support reconciliation, month-end processing, and reporting requirements.

• Coordinate and steer prioritization with offshore reconciliation partners and operations teams to ensure timely issue resolution.

• 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 support Direct Bill accounting operations, KPI reporting, and management information.

• Use data-driven insights to prioritize aging and reconciliation activity, identify escalation needs, and communicate risks and progress clearly.

• Support assigned initiatives and actively contribute to cross-functional process improvement projects.

• Perform and validate account reconciliations with carriers, markets, and clients, ensuring issues are identified, investigated, and resolved efficiently and accurately.

• Respond to Direct Bill and 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.

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

What are we looking for?

Qualifications:

Skills & Abilities

• In-depth understanding of the Direct Bill lifecycle, including carrier and vendor statement collection, reconciliation, commission posting, aging management, and unapplied cash resolution within an agency management system; hands-on Applied Epic tactical experience is highly desirable.

• 2+ years of experience in Direct Bill, insurance accounting, commission reconciliation, or comparable accounting operations, preferably within an agency environment.

• Experience collaborating with offshore or cross-functional partners is a plus.

• Results-oriented professional with the ability to execute independently, manage Direct Bill 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 $80,000 - $100,000; 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, 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.