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 with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive bonuses, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a modern QA function focused on innovation and customer success.
- Qualifications: Experience in analytics, assurance, and stakeholder management within regulated environments.
The predicted salary is between 27776 - 30354 £ per year.
Location: Bexhill, London or Leicester (hybrid)
Welcome to Hastings Direct. We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become The Best and Biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our data and tech capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We’re proud of the journey we’re on as a company and know that our continued success will rely on the contribution of our talented colleagues.
We provide insurance for over four million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there. The fact you’re now reading this job advert means we’ve tempted you to find out more about #lifeatHD – we really hope you like what you see, and you’ll join us to share in the success of the exciting chapter that lies ahead.
We understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you’re excited about joining us and think you have some of what we’re looking for, even if you’re not 100% sure we would love to hear from you.
Role overview:
As our Quality Assurance Insights and Improvement Lead, you’ll lead the QA business application of insights, automation opportunities and technology-enabled assurance, setting the direction for how QA uses data and reporting to strengthen customer outcome confidence, risk visibility and operational decision-making. You’ll be owning the QA requirements, interpretation standards and governance for insight outputs, ensuring reporting and analytical outputs are applied consistently to support customer outcome monitoring, risk prioritisation, assurance targeting and senior stakeholder confidence. This position ensures that the re-shaped QA model has the business use cases needed to move from retrospective checking to targeted, outcome-focused assurance.
Job details – you’ll need to have demonstrable experience in:
- Lead QA Insight & Reporting Strategy – define how QA insight is interpreted, governed and reported, ensuring clear 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, whilst setting interpretation standards, controls and governance to ensure consistent, 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 and focus on the highest-risk areas.
- Identify and Deliver Automation & Tooling Opportunities – define and prioritise QA automation and tooling requirements, partnering with Technology, Data and Change teams to improve assurance coverage, efficiency, targeting and adoption of future-state QA capabilities.
- Champion AI & Advanced Analytics Opportunities – identify, shape and govern AI, speech and text analytics use cases, ensuring outputs are explainable, appropriately controlled and used effectively to improve assurance outcomes and thematic insight.
- Provide Strategic QA Leadership & Challenge – act as the senior QA lead for insight, automation and tooling, delivering expert analysis, recommendations and constructive challenge to support the Head of Customer Assurance and the evolution of a modern, customer outcome-focused QA function.
Essential skills/experience:
- Significant experience leading the application of analytics, insight, automation or assurance capabilities within Insurance, Financial Services or another regulated environment.
- Proven experience developing risk-based insight, governance reporting, business requirements and reporting standards to support operational and executive decision-making.
- Strong understanding of QA and assurance frameworks, outcome-based assurance, risk-based monitoring and customer outcome management within a regulated setting.
- Experience identifying and 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 ability to lead change, provide constructive challenge and collaborate effectively across QA, Operations, Data, Technology, Compliance and Change functions.
The interview process involves the below:
- Recruiter intro/screening call
- 1st stage interview with hiring leader
- 2nd interview with hiring leaders' leader
As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). For more information on the DCS, please visit our inclusive business page on our career's website.
Regrettably we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Benefits: in addition to a competitive salary and £5k car allowance you will also receive:
- Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach.
- Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus.
- Physical wellbeing – Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (PMI).
- Financial wellbeing – providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%.
- Mental wellbeing programme – we have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, and support groups.
- There's more! – 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more.
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’re 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.
Quality Assurance Insights and Improvement Lead in London employer: Hastings Insurance Services
Hastings Direct is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises flexibility and employee wellbeing. With a strong commitment to professional development and a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance and a competitive bonus scheme, we empower our colleagues to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in Bexhill, London or Leicester, and be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the insurance industry.
Contact Details:
Hastings Insurance Services Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Quality Assurance Insights and Improvement Lead in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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We think you need these skills to ace Quality Assurance Insights and Improvement Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Hastings Insurance Services.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Hastings Insurance Services
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Hastings Insurance Services.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
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✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Hastings Insurance Services employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
