At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead QA insights and automation to enhance customer outcomes and operational decision-making.
- Company: Join Hastings Direct, a digital insurance provider focused on data-driven assurance.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values diverse perspectives and encourages growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of QA with cutting-edge analytics and automation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in analytics, automation, and assurance within regulated environments is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Bexhill, London or Leicester (hybrid)
Company: Hastings Direct – a digital insurance provider focused on customer outcomes and data‑driven assurance.
Role Overview
As the QA Insights and Automation Lead, you will shape how QA uses data, reporting and automation to enhance customer outcome confidence, risk visibility and operational decision‑making. You will own QA requirements, governance and interpretation standards, ensuring consistent use of insights across the business. This role drives a transition from retrospective checking to outcome‑focused assurance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead QA Insight & Reporting Strategy – define interpretation, governance and reporting of QA insight to provide visibility of customer outcomes, conduct risk, operational performance, emerging themes and assurance effectiveness.
- Own QA Insight, Governance & Business Requirements – translate QA frameworks, scorecards and standards into reporting, data and tooling requirements, setting interpretation standards and controls to ensure trusted decision‑making.
- Drive Risk‑Based Assurance & Targeting – develop and embed an insight‑led assurance approach, using customer, regulatory, conduct and operational risk indicators to prioritise assurance activity.
- Identify and Deliver Automation & Tooling Opportunities – prioritise QA automation and tooling requirements, partnering with Technology, Data and Change teams to expand coverage, efficiency and adoption.
- Champion AI & Advanced Analytics Opportunities – shape and govern AI, speech and text analytics use cases, ensuring explainability, controls and effective application to improve assurance outcomes.
- Provide Strategic QA Leadership & Challenge – act as senior QA lead for insight, automation and tooling, delivering expert analysis, recommendations and constructive challenge to support the Head of Customer Assurance and evolve a modern, outcome‑focused QA function.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Significant experience leading analytics, insight, automation or assurance capabilities within Insurance, Financial Services or other regulated environments.
- Proven track record developing risk‑based insight, governance reporting, business requirements and reporting standards for operational and executive decision‑making.
- Strong understanding of QA and assurance frameworks, outcome‑based assurance, risk‑based monitoring and customer outcome management in a regulated setting.
- Experience in shaping automation, AI and advanced analytics opportunities, with knowledge of governance, controls, explainability and appropriate business application.
- Excellent ability to translate complex business and assurance needs into clear data, tooling, automation and governance requirements for specialist delivery teams.
- Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with the capacity to lead change, provide constructive challenge and collaborate across QA, Operations, Data, Technology, Compliance and Change functions.
Interview Process
- Recruiter intro/screening call
- 1st stage interview with hiring leader
- 2nd interview with hiring leader’s leader
Benefits
- Competitive salary and £5k car allowance
- Flexible hybrid working – discuss details with recruiter.
- Competitive bonus scheme – all colleagues eligible for annual 4Cs performance bonus.
- Physical wellbeing – private medical insurance, 4x salary life assurance cover, income protection free of cost, matched pension contributions up to 10% and additional health benefits.
- Financial wellbeing – life assurance, income protection, matched pension contributions up to 10%, discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and financial wellbeing support.
- Mental wellbeing programme – thrive mental health app, 24/7 colleague assistance programme, in‑house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team.
- Annual leave – 27 days plus bank holidays with option to buy or sell weeks, health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, cycle‑to‑work and tech schemes, free onsite facilities, social events and more.
Regrettably we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons irrespective of gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. We conduct thorough referencing, including credit and criminal record checks. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment and encouraging reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Our recruitment team is available to provide support and ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.
Quality Assurance Insights and Automation Lead in Leicester employer: Hastings Direct
Hastings Direct is an exceptional employer for Actuarial Graduates, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters professional growth and innovation. With a strong focus on employee well-being, the company provides competitive benefits including flexible working arrangements, a robust bonus scheme, and access to mental health resources. The collaborative culture encourages the development of cutting-edge actuarial skills through hands-on experience with modern tools like Python and AI, making it an ideal place for motivated individuals to launch their careers.
