Operations & Transformation Graduate in Leicester

Welcome to Hastings Direct – From our Group HR Director Pam Angel. We are a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become the best and biggest in the UK market. We have made huge investments in our data and tech capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We are proud of the journey we are on as a company and know that our continued success will rely on the contribution of our talented colleagues.

This two-year programme is designed to attract our future Hastings leaders. On the programme, you will gain diverse experience across our Claims and Counter Fraud departments. There will also be opportunities to work with our commercial and operational teams, playing a key role in our change and transformation initiatives designed to help us become a market-leading digital insurer with best-in-class claims management.

Over the course of the programme, you will rotate through several different placements, gaining practical experience in refining processes and driving change that benefits customers and the business. You will also be exposed to work within a complex supplier matrix. In each placement, you will gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of how your role contributes to the wider business and its strategy.

Possible Rotations Include:

• Transformation
• Process Improvement & Governance
• Technical Audit & Coaching
• Claims Analytics
• Claims & Fraud Operations

There will be a mandatory rotation in Customer Operations, allowing you to gain valuable insight into how we support our customers when they need to claim against their policy. The experience you will gain is essential for understanding the challenges customers face and the ways we can make a real difference during distressing and difficult times for customers.

In Customer Operations, you will develop a strong foundation in empathy, problem-solving, and communication, which are vital skills for any future leader. This experience will provide you with a comprehensive perspective on the customer journey, ensuring you appreciate the impact of every decision on our customers from the very beginning of your career.

Your leaders will work with you to understand which of these teams would best complement your development and career goals. You will always have an active voice in shaping your own progression and career path.

Throughout your placements, you will be supported by your team and programme leaders, who will offer you leadership development and business acumen coaching. You will also participate in formal training designed to increase your understanding of the company, industry, and regulatory requirements.

Requirements:

• A degree in any discipline pending in 2026 or achieved within the last 2 years
• Hungry for knowledge, curious and innovative
• An independent thinker; confident to constructively challenge and influence the status quo
• Works well with others as a team player
• Excellent communicator with strong organisational ability
• Considers commercial impact in all decision making and outcomes
• Experience in a customer-service role is desirable but not essential

Unfortunately, we cannot offer visa sponsorship for our graduate programmes, meaning you will need to be able to prove you have the right to work in the UK for the full 2-year duration of the programme to be eligible.

As an organisation, we embrace the use of AI as a powerful tool to support our data-driven ambitions and enhance the way we work. The use of AI tools to help prepare your CV and cover letter is permitted. However, during the assessment process, it is a requirement that all work be completed independently, without AI assistance. This ensures that we can fairly evaluate each applicant's own traits, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

What We Will Do:

• 15th Dec 2026 - Applications open: we will send you a link to complete psychometric testing via Harver
• 9th – 22nd Feb 2026 - If successful, you will then need to complete a role suitability practical test or video interview. You will receive a new web link for this.
• 5th Mar 2026 - If successful, we will invite you to an in-person Assessment Centre in Leicester
• 18th Mar 2026 - In-Person Assessment Centre in Leicester

Reward:

When you join Hastings Direct, you will be making a real contribution to our success. You deserve to share in that success, so alongside a competitive and flexible salary, we offer a benefits package that recognises and rewards your part in our growth.

Salary - Starting salary will be £33,000 with an increase to be put in place upon completion of year one of the programme.

Flexible Working – We champion a flexible and hybrid working approach within a reasonable commutable distance so please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail, including days in the office and at home.

Competitive Bonus Scheme (subject to company and personal performance)

Healthcare cash plan and private medical insurance

Pension matched up to 10%

Free Mortgage Advice

Access to the Thrive mental health app

25 days annual leave and social events throughout the year

Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we will deliver good outcomes for every customer, helping us to grow the company profitably and sustainably and allowing us to invest in the communities we serve.

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.

At Hastings Direct, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.