Pricing, Data & Analytics Graduate Programme

How we capture, analyse and use data is vital for our digital future. That’s where our Data Science, Analytics, Engineering and Actuarial teams come in.

We have three pathways available through this programme:

Data Science & Analytics
Engineering
Actuarial

These two-year rotational programmes will have you working closely with recognised experts in their field, gaining experience in several analytical teams and departments. You’ll learn from people who design software, work with robotic process automation, build and deploy machine learning models and create many more data-led solutions.

You’ll also develop the analytical skills to study historic claims data to discover trends and opportunities to assess which risks we should choose to cover. By joining teams of Actuaries, Data Scientists, Pricing, Engineering, and Analytics professionals, you’ll learn how to leverage powerful insights. You’ll also gain experience with cutting-edge technologies such as Snowflake, Azure Machine Learning, Earnix, and coding in Python, SQL, and R.

Where you’ll be based

We’re committed to hybrid working. You’ll need to be in either our Bexhill (East Sussex), Leicester or London office around once a week, with the option and flexibility of working from home on other days. We’ll also need you to be flexible to travel occasionally to our other offices.

Starting your career with us

We understand that your first graduate role should be more than just a job. Starting your career at Hastings Direct gives you the chance to make your mark in an ambitious, rapidly growing and digitally driven business. A company that genuinely cares about you as an individual, respects your opinions and listens to your ideas. One where you can make a positive difference, because you’re encouraged to look for growth opportunities and achieve your full potential.

We aim to give you the experience and technical knowledge to progress your career. We’ll provide you with a nurturing and challenging environment to help expand your horizons, develop new skills and make new connections.

Most of all, you’ll find all the support you need from people at every level, so you can fulfil your ambitions. From managers who are approachable and supportive, to colleagues who are always ready to help each other out. In short, you’ll have all you need to launch a successful career.

Data Science & Analytics Programme - Your rotations

This two-year programme is designed to give you a variety of exposure to different aspects of data science and analytics. You’ll enjoy a series of project-based eight month rotations that enable you to make a real contribution to our business.

You’ll gain practical experience in our Underwriting, Retail Pricing and Claims Analytics teams. This means you could be working on anything from predictive analytics on customer lifetime value, or price optimisation to identifying profitable market segments, automation or fraud detection. So, by the end of the programme, you’ll be ready to take on a mid-level role, become a mentor to future graduates, and add value to our work.

Underwriting Actuarial and Data Science

You’ll be involved in developing cutting-edge data assets and predictive models that feed into our market-leading pricing activities.
Underwriting Risk Pricing

You’ll be supporting exciting initiatives to insure new customer segments in the market profitably, along with getting involved with developing and maintaining our pricing algorithms.
Retail Pricing Core & Deployment

You'll be working on analysis, optimisations, and rating logic. The work is fast paced, quickly responding to market changes and trading performance. You'll utilise a wide range of skills, and see tangible outcomes, with your work feeding into our live pricing.
Retail Pricing Development & Analytics

You'll be developing models and data enrichment assets that feed into our live pricing, testing novel 'alternative pricing' approaches and working on analytical projects to help our stakeholders understand where new pricing initiatives can support company performance.
Retail Pricing Data Science & Engineering

You'll work across a variety of areas in this team. These include the building, maintenance and monitoring of our market models to understand our competitors’ pricing strategies, data engineering and customer-focused data science projects.
Claims Analytics – Analysis

You’ll support the Claims teams by using data-driven intelligence to answer business questions and informing critical decisions that impact our customers, processes and commercial outcomes.

Engineering Programme - Your rotations

We’ve designed this two-year programme to hone the skills of graduates within the specialist area of data engineering. As gatekeepers of our data, you’ll be supporting the business with the provisioning of data for analytics, modelling and other key activities. This could be developing entirely new processes, problem solving to reporting and technical support.

You’ll enjoy a series of project-based eight month rotations that enable you to make a real contribution to our business.

You’ll gain practical experience in our Underwriting, Retail Pricing and Claims Analytics teams. This means you could be working on anything from curating quote, policy or claims data, to deploying new pricing algorithms, automation or fraud detection. So by the end of the programme, you’ll be ready to take on a mid-level role, become a mentor to future graduates and add value to our work.

Underwriting Data Engineering

You’ll focus on sourcing, curating, storing and governing data. Data engineering projects are complex and foundational to the success of many of our digital transformation initiatives.
Underwriting Pricing Engineering & Quality Assurance

You'll play a key role in implementing innovative pricing solutions while ensuring that they align with our governance goals and drive meaningful business impact.
Retail Pricing Core & Deployment

You'll be working on analysis, optimisations and rating logic. The work is fast paced, quickly responding to market changes and trading performance. You'll utilise a wide range of skills, and see tangible outcomes, with your work feeding into our live pricing.
Retail Pricing – Data Science & Engineering

You'll work across a variety of areas in this team. These include the building, maintenance and monitoring of our market models to understand our competitors’ pricing strategies, data engineering and customer-focused data science projects.
Claims Analytics – Data Engineering

You’ll support the entire lifecycle of claims data, from sourcing and curating relevant information to ensuring its proper storage and management. In addition, you'll play a critical role in establishing and enforcing governance practices to maintain the accuracy, security and compliance of the data throughout its use.

Actuarial Programme - Your rotations

This two-year rotational programme is designed to give you a variety of exposure through placements in our Underwriting and Pricing teams, supporting you to become a well-rounded actuarial professional. You’ll develop modelling skills alongside being involved in actuarial work such as base rate setting, funding for extreme events, using Reserving techniques and developing portfolio management skills.

You will complete the IFoA (Institute and Faculty of Actuaries) Associate and Fellowship qualification and we’ll provide full funding and study support in order to achieve this.

Underwriting Actuarial and Data Science

You’ll be involved in developing cutting-edge data assets and predictive models that feed into our market-leading pricing activities.
Underwriting Risk Pricing

You’ll be supporting exciting initiatives to insure new customer segments in the market profitably, along with getting involved with developing and maintaining our pricing algorithms.
Underwriting – Account Management

You’ll work on tracking product performance, predicting future outcomes, optimising reinsurance strategies, and ensuring pricing is set adequately to cover potential risks.
Retail Pricing Core & Deployment

You'll be working on analysis, optimisations and rating logic. The work is fast paced, quickly responding to market changes and trading performance. You'll utilise a wide range of skills, and see tangible outcomes, with your work feeding into our live pricing.
Retail Pricing Development & Analytics

You'll be developing models and data enrichment assets that feed into our live pricing, testing novel 'alternative pricing' approaches and working on analytical projects to help our stakeholders understand where new pricing initiatives can support company performance.
Retail Pricing Data Science

You'll work across a variety of areas in this team. These include the building, maintenance and monitoring of our models to understand pricing strategies in the UK market.

Your professional development

From the moment you join us, we’ll make sure you have access to a wide variety of opportunities for both personal and professional growth. You’ll be enrolled on our early careers development programme, providing you with a suite of bespoke sessions which develop the strengths we know graduates need to be successful at Hastings Direct. You’ll also have the opportunity to network and meet others in graduate programmes across the business.

Within your first few months of starting, we host a dedicated ‘Pricing, Data & Analytics Bootcamp’ for all our new data early career colleagues. This is an opportunity for everyone to meet some of our key specialist pricing, data and analytics leaders and get up to speed with how we use data within our industry. It’s also designed to support you with any technical skills you may need as you head into your first placements.

And our inclusive, supportive culture means you’ll have a strong support network around you. From leaders to mentors, buddies to our Early Careers team, you’ll always have someone you can talk to about anything.

What we look for

We look for a combination of technical and personal skills, so you’ll need to have:

Qualifications

A degree already achieved in the past two years (or will achieve in the next year) in a STEM subject, or a strong demonstrated interest in data.

Interests

A demonstrated interest in Machine Learning and a desire to continually build upon your knowledge in this field.

Skills

Some experience in coding with Python or R or SQL.

Strong mathematical capabilities, including a solid understanding of probability and statistics.

Self-awareness and an understanding of your strengths and areas for development.

Strong skills in logic and problem-solving, with the ability to analyse and interpret data effectively.

Behaviours

An inquisitive nature and a curiosity to explore and solve complex problems.

Excellent communication skills, including experience presenting results to others.

Meet some of the team

Jack, Data Graduate (Second Year Graduate)

Since joining the graduate programme, I've been able to take on a variety of interesting and challenging tasks across many different areas of the business. This has ranged from basic data analysis to, most recently, taking on a full model pipeline, trying to build a GBM model to predict market prices.

As the programme has gone on, I've been given more choice in the roles and tasks that I undertake and have learnt a lot in my time here so far.

Javier, Data Graduate (Second Year Graduate)

Throughout my placements so far, I’ve been doing a variety of different things – I’ve spent a lot of time modelling using different programming languages and software, before switching my focus to using SQL and automation tools to build datasets and pipelines. Other projects I’ve worked on have required more use of Excel and dashboards to do calculations and present data.

Avanish, Data Graduate (Second Year Graduate)

Coming from a STEM background, the graduate programme has been a fantastic opportunity to gain essential insurance knowledge while applying and honing my technical skills across a variety of projects. Each team rotation has been unique in its size, work style and approach to collaboration. Yet, in every team, I’ve seen the 4Cs - customer, colleague, community and company - come to life in different but equally effective ways. The programme is designed thoughtfully, allowing me to grow within an environment that supports my preferences and needs, making this experience both enriching and personally rewarding.

Our recruitment process

After each stage, we’ll let you know if you’ve made it to the next one and what to expect. If you haven’t, we’ll be happy to give you feedback.

Apply

Select the appropriate programme on our careers site. Click apply, create an account, answer the required questions, and submit your CV.

Online Assessment

After completing your application, you’ll receive a link to our online assessment. The assessments vary by programme and will focus on your cognitive ability and role fit.

Application Review

We will review your application and assessment results to ensure you meet the criteria for moving to the next stage.

Role Suitability

The activity will depend on the programme. It aims to understand your practical knowledge and skills through an online video interview, technical assessment, or both.

Meet us

From producing case studies and giving presentations, to group and role-specific tasks, this is your chance to shine.

Welcome!

If you’re successful, we’ll offer you a place on one of our programmes and call you to talk through the details.

Frequently asked questions

I already work at Hastings Direct – can I still apply?

Absolutely! If you meet our eligibility requirements, everyone is welcome. We suggest that you also speak with your Leader to help support with your application.
I don’t have a visa – can I still apply to Hastings Direct?

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to sponsor visas for our graduate programmes. You will be asked to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK during the selection process, and you must maintain and be able to demonstrate your right to work throughout the duration of your employment with the Company.
If you do have immigration permission (e.g. a graduate visa), this visa must cover you for the two or three-year programme and you’ll need to provide evidence of your course completion from your university before your starting date.
Can I apply to more than one programme?

Yes, however throughout the recruitment process we may give you the advice that you're better suited to another programme - we always have your best interests at heart.
My degree discipline is not listed on the candidate specification for the programme I am interested in, can I still apply?

Yes, if you can demonstrate your suitability for the role through relevant work experience, projects or modules throughout your degree or additional skills and interests.
I’m a mature student/graduate – can I still apply?

Yes – age is just a number although we do ask that applicants have graduated within the past two years or are due to graduate this academic year.
Can I apply if I’ve already graduated?

Yes, so long as you meet the minimum requirements for the programme you’d like to apply to, and we do ask that applicants have graduated within the past two years.
Do I need to relocate if I’m successful?

This will depend on the programme you are joining. We do typically ask that you are within commutable distance to one of our offices so you benefit from in-person support when you join, further information on which office can be found within the job advert.
I have a disability, long term health or neuro-diverse condition, are you able to provide support or adjustments through the recruitment process?

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. We can make adjustments and offer support throughout the recruitment process to ensure that you have the best chance of success. Furthermore, if you are made an offer, we can then discuss with you the adjustments you might need to get on with the job and develop your career.
Please refer to the recruitment process to find out more about the different stages during the recruitment process which will help you identify whether you will need any support or adjustments at any stage. Please contact us to discuss any support you may require at recruitmentteam@hastingsdirect.com.
What kind of adjustments can be made?

Adjustments vary depending on the specific needs or circumstances of the individual and the best way to identify the most suitable adjustments is for us to speak with you, which will allow us to determine what adjustments would be most appropriate.
Examples can include additional time, breaks, adjustable font sizes and subtitles on videos.
Please contact us to discuss any support you may require at recruitmentteam@hastingsdirect.com.
Is the assessment centre face to face or virtual and when will it take place?

We’ve moved back to face-to-face assessment centres. You’ll be asked to attend an in-person assessment centre, in one of our offices in either Bexhill (East Sussex) or Leicester.

We will advise you of the scheduled dates for your programme nearer the time so that you can keep the date free.
If I’m successful when is my starting date?

Our early careers programmes start in September each year.

If you have immigration permission that will allow you to complete your two or three year programme, you must provide evidence of your course completion from your university before your starting date.

Ready to apply?

Are you ready for a graduate programme with a fast growing, digitally-focused insurance company? A business with huge ambitions to be the UK’s best and biggest digital insurance provider?

An organisation that focuses on profitable growth that’s truly sustainable, by doing the right thing for colleagues, customers, the community and the company – our 4Cs? Somewhere that celebrates openness and diversity by encouraging you to be yourself? And was named the UK’s #1 Best Big Company to Work for 2024?

Are you ready for a future with Hastings Direct?

Apply now

Closing date: 2nd February 2025.

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