HR Graduate

Hastings Direct; England; Hybrid; GBP 29,700 - 36,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary of £33,000

Flexible and hybrid working options

Competitive bonus scheme

Healthcare cash plan

Private medical insurance

10% pension match

Access to Thrive mental health app

Colleague assistance programme

25 days annual leave

Social events throughout the year

Job summary

A leading digital insurance provider is launching a HR Graduate Programme aimed at equipping future leaders. This two-year programme includes rotations in various HR functions such as recruitment and employee relations. Candidates should possess a degree in any discipline, along with customer service experience and strong attention to detail. The programme offers a starting salary of £33,000 and benefits including flexible working and healthcare plans, with a focus on creating a supportive and inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Degree in any discipline pending in 2026 or achieved within the last 2 years.
• Experience in a customer service role with a can-do approach.
• People-motivated with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support people strategies across various HR functions.
• Participate in rotations for a comprehensive HR understanding.
• Contribute to recruitment, employee relations, and HR operations.

Skills

Customer service experience

Attention to detail

People motivation

Effective information usage

Ambition

Curiosity

Drive

Education

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

Job description

2026 HR Graduate Programme – Leicester

Welcome to Hastings Direct – a digital insurance provider set to become the largest in the UK. With significant investments in data, technology, and our 4Cs culture, we’re driven to grow the business while delivering great outcomes for customers, colleagues, and communities.

Programme Overview

This two‑year programme equips you to become a future Hastings leader. Through practical experience, professional development, and mentoring you’ll support people strategies and make a real impact across the organisation.

The programme offers rotations across a range of HR functions, giving you a broad understanding of how HR drives organisational performance. You’ll undertake several rotations, including:

• 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 in a customer service role with a can‑do approach
• People‑motivated with strong attention to detail
• Ability to use information effectively
• Ambition, curiosity and drive

Unfortunately, we cannot offer visa sponsorship for our graduate programmes, so you must be able to prove right to work in the UK for the full 2‑year duration to be eligible.

We embrace AI as a tool to support data‑driven ambition. The use of AI to prepare your CV and cover letter is permitted, but all assessment work must be completed independently, without AI assistance.

What We’ll Do

• 15 Dec 2026 – Applications open: you will receive a link to complete psychometric testing via Harver.
• 25 Jan 2026 – Applications close.
• 6 – 22 Feb 2026 – Successful candidates receive a link to complete a video interview.
• 5 Mar 2026 – Successful candidates are invited to an Assessment Centre.
• 12 Mar 2026 – In‑person Assessment Centres take place in Leicester.

Reward & Benefits

• Salary – Starting salary £33,000, with a raise upon completion of year one.
• Flexible Working — flexible and hybrid working within a reasonable commuting distance.
• 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 guide everything we do: creating the right culture for our colleagues, providing the right tools, and delivering good outcomes for every customer. This helps us grow the company profitably and sustainably, enabling investment in the communities we serve.

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Note that we conduct thorough referencing, including credit and criminal record checks.