We’re currently recruiting for a new position at Hastings Direct: Operations Planning Manager
Hastings is transforming the way it manages Claims: to make what can be a stressful process for customers and colleagues more straightforward. Reporting into our Head of Claims Notification & Change, we have created a new Planning Manager role to lead all budgeting, reporting and forecasting activity for a busy Claims Operation. This is a fantastic opportunity for a candidate who wants to sit at the heard of operational decision making, and help drive it to become the best for Claims in the UK.
How you’ll make a difference:
  • Own the budgeting process for Claims Operations – ensuring costs are forecasted brilliantly, and income targets are clear
  • Own the re-forecasting process – and ensure the wider Hastings finance team and Business Partners are clear on the claims ‘story’ and where opportunities and risk are
  • Own the collation of operational reporting – including weekly Trading updates, monthly performance packs and Group commentary. Coordinate any action plans for improvement from this
  • Co-ordinate the initiative plans for claims – support the Operations leadership team to set ambitious but achievable targets, and proactively seek out opportunities to make the operation better
  • Champion the cost agenda – help leaders understand the cost in their business, and support them to find the right balance between a income and cost. Own external benchmarking for Operations
  • Build an enviable group of stakeholders from across Claims and the wider business, to understand how they influences claims income and cost. In particular, build strong relationships with Digital and Retail teams
  • Co-ordinate the real time and forecasting process for claims operations, supporting contact centre leaders to forecast the likely resource requirements and spot opportunities or risks
  • Coach, support and mentor contact centre leaders so they understand how forecasting and budgeting works within Hastings, empowering them to ‘own’ their respective business
  • Ensure the process of forecasting and reforecasting has been documented, controls are in place to reduce the risk of error through the budgeting process
  • Prepare and review any ad-hoc financial or non-financial analysis as needed
  • Provide the Claims Operations leadership team with insight into day to day trading and emerging opportunities or risks
  • Support the Delivery Managers to build, validate and verify all change activity taking place in claims operations. Ensure that each project has the right cost and benefits governance, so initiative benefits can be tracked well
  • Champion the highest standards, acting as an internal quality check for every activity
  • Coach, mentor and motivate a junior Delivery Executive reporting to this role
We’re looking for someone who:
  • Has a track record of successfully leading financial planning and reporting for a business area or function
  • Is tenacious! Able to get the job done by rolling up their sleeves to resolve problems with the team
  • A natural problem solver – likes tackling challenges head on and finding ways to get the job done
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills – comfortable engaging with all levels of an organization
  • Has a strong knowledge of Finance Management principles and practices
  • Embraces opportunities to develop and learn – showing a great level of self-awareness and drive
  • Thrives in a matrix organization by inspiring others
  • Knowledge of Claims and real time forecasting a plus

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.