HR Graduate

Hastings Direct; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 33,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider located in East Midlands is offering a 2026 HR Graduate Programme designed to empower future leaders through practical experience and professional development. The two-year programme will have you rotate through various HR functions including recruitment and employee relations. A competitive starting salary of £33,000 is provided, along with a comprehensive benefits package. Candidates should have a degree pending by 2026 and experience in customer service. Opportunities for hybrid working are available.

Benefits

Starting salary of £33,000

Flexible working

Competitive bonus scheme

Healthcare cash plan

Private medical insurance

Pension contribution up to 10%

Free mortgage advice

Access to Thrive mental health app

Colleague assistance programme

25 days annual leave

Social events throughout the year

Qualifications

• You will need to have a degree completed by the end of 2026.
• Experience in a customer service role is required.
• Strong attention to detail is essential.

Responsibilities

• Participate in various HR rotations including recruitment and employee relations.
• Develop skills for supporting people strategies.
• Engage in professional development activities.

Skills

Customer service experience

Attention to detail

Motivation

Effective information usage

Ambition

Curiosity

Drive

Education

Degree in any discipline (pending in 2026 or achieved within the last 2 years)

Job description

2026 HR Graduate Programme

Location: Leicester

Welcome to Hastings Direct - From our Group HR Director Pam Angel

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 4 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.

Programme overview

This two-year programme is designed to empower you to become a future Hastings leader. Through a mix of practical experience, professional development and mentoring, you'll gain the skills and confidence to support people strategies and have a real impact for our colleagues, customers, company and community.

Rotations

• Recruitment
• Employee Relations
• HR Operations
• HR Systems and Data
• Reward
• Communications, PR & Engagement
• Organisational Development & Learning
• Talent and DE&I
• Change

Requirements

• A degree in any discipline pending in 2026 or achieved within the last 2 years
• Experience working in a customer service role with a can‑do approach
• People motivated with strong attention to detail
• Ability to use information effectively
• Ambition, curious and driven

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. It's all about getting to know you.

What we'll do

• 15th Dec 2026 - Applications open: we will send you a link to complete psychometric testing via Harver
• 25th Jan 2026 - Applications close
• 6th – 22nd Feb 2026 – If successful in testing, we will send you a link to complete an additional video interview
• 5th Mar 2026 - If successful, we will invite you to an Assessment Centre
• 12th Mar 2026 – In‑Person Assessment Centres in Leicester

Reward

When you join Hastings Direct, you'll 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. 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
• Colleague assistance programme
• 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'll 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. We deliver good outcomes for our customers every time by providing great products at the right price with our simple and straightforward service. We treat customers like we want to be treated – fairly, respectfully and with their best interests at heart.

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.