At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the launch of a mental health marketplace and shape its operational backbone.
- Company: Mind Friend, a mission-driven platform connecting users with therapists.
- Benefits: Equity and modest salary, with potential for growth and impact.
- Other info: Flexible location and travel required; thrive in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be a founding member and make a real difference in mental health support.
- Qualifications: Experience in startups, tech, operations, and fundraising is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Company: Mind Friend
Location: UK / Sweden Europe
Type: Full-Time
Sector: Mental Health, HealthTech, Marketplace, AI-enabled Digital Platform
Compensation: Equity + monthly stipend (transitioning to full salary post-funding)
Mind Friend is a psychology and mental health marketplace platform designed to connect service users with qualified therapists and mental health professionals.
Read this first
This is a founding role. The base salary is modest and intentionally so the meaningful upside is in equity and in what we build together. We're looking for someone who is here because they believe in the vision, not because of the paycheck. If salary is your primary driver, this isn't the right role for you, and that's okay. We're also looking for someone genuinely flexible. The business will need you to relocate and travel as circumstances demand to be where the team, the partners, or the opportunities are. You should be at a point in life where that mobility is a feature, not a friction.
About Mind Friend
Mind Friend is a psychology platform and marketplace connecting therapists with service users making quality mental health support easier to find, access and trust. We're not starting from zero. Our product is built and ready to launch, we already have users on the platform, and we have early data and traction to show what's working. What we need now is a founding operator to help us launch cleanly, scale, and raise.
The Opportunity
We're looking for a hands-on builder to step in at this critical pre-launch moment and own the operational, technical and strategic backbone of the business. You'll work directly with the founders to make sure we launch without legal, technical, or operational missteps and then help us scale and fundraise off the traction we've already built. This is a founding seat. You won't be inheriting a playbook; you'll be writing it.
The right person will bring strong experience in startup execution, technology or AI product development, marketplace operations, team management, fundraising preparation, and operational risk management. You will work closely with the founder and wider team to organise the business, manage key launch priorities, coordinate people and processes, oversee operational and technical readiness, and help ensure that Mind Friend launches in a professional, compliant, and scalable way.
This role is ideal for someone who has been part of an early-stage startup before, preferably in healthtech, AI, SaaS, marketplaces, mental health, wellbeing, or another regulated sector.
The ideal person will have experience in one or more of the following roles:
- COO
- Chief of Staff
- Head of Operations
- Head of Product
- General Manager
- Startup Advisor
- Venture Builder
- or similar
What You'll Do
- Lead end-to-end launch readiness: operational processes, technical roadmap, compliance, vendor selection, and go-to-market execution
- Own the technical and product strategy — translating the founders' vision into a delivery plan with engineers, designers and external partners
- Build the regulatory and legal foundation for a healthcare-adjacent marketplace (data protection, therapist verification, clinical governance, safeguarding, terms of service)
- Set up internal systems and team structure — hiring, workflows, tooling, performance management
- Drive fundraising alongside the founders: investor materials, financial models, data room, pipeline management, due diligence
- Help shape and tell the company story to investors, partners, clinicians and early users
- Be the person who keeps the trains running — and decides which trains we're building
Who You Are
- Startup veteran. You've helped build a company from early stage to scale — ideally as a founder, COO, head of operations, or chief of staff in a fast-growing startup
- Tech or AI background at leadership level. You can hold your own in technical conversations, evaluate engineering decisions, and ideally have experience with AI products or tech-enabled marketplaces
- Operator's mindset. You're equally comfortable in a spreadsheet, a board meeting, a product spec and a hiring panel
- Fundraising experience. You've been in the room for pre-seed, seed or Series A raises and know what investors look for
- Mission-driven. You believe in the importance of mental health and want to spend the next several years building something that matters. Salary alone is not your motivation — equity, ownership, and impact are
- Geographically flexible. Willing to travel and relocate as the business demands
- Calm in chaos. You bring order to fast-moving environments and don't need someone above you to tell you what to do
What We Offer
- A modest founding salary and meaningful equity in a mission-led company
- A live product with real users and early traction not a blank page
- A seat at the table from day zero your fingerprints will be on everything
- Reputable name with mental health professionals
Founding Head of Operations HealthTech / AI / Mental Health employer: Mind Friend
Mind Friend is an exceptional employer for those passionate about mental health and technology, offering a unique opportunity to shape the future of a pioneering platform in the HealthTech sector. With a focus on equity and meaningful impact rather than just salary, employees are encouraged to grow alongside the company, benefiting from a collaborative work culture that values flexibility and innovation. Located in the UK and Sweden, Mind Friend provides a dynamic environment where your contributions will directly influence the launch and scaling of a vital service, making it an ideal place for mission-driven individuals seeking to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Head of Operations HealthTech / AI / Mental Health
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the HealthTech and mental health space. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for mental health! When you get the chance to chat with someone from Mind Friend or during interviews, make sure to express why this mission resonates with you. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in the mental health sector.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your skills! Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully launched projects or scaled operations in previous roles. Use metrics and outcomes to back up your claims, especially if they relate to tech or AI products.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Mind Friend team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little persistence can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Head of Operations HealthTech / AI / Mental Health
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for mental health and the mission of Mind Friend shine through. We want to see that you genuinely believe in what we're building together, so share your personal connection to the cause!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in startups, especially in healthtech or AI. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so connect your past roles to what we need at Mind Friend.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and fluff. Just tell us what makes you the right fit for this founding role in a way that's easy to understand.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mind Friend
✨Understand the Mission
Before your interview, dive deep into Mind Friend's mission and values. Show that you genuinely believe in the importance of mental health and are excited about building something impactful. This role is all about passion over pay, so let that shine through!
✨Showcase Your Startup Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experiences in startups, especially in healthtech or AI. Prepare specific examples of how you've contributed to launching products or scaling operations. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you've navigated challenges in fast-paced environments.
✨Prepare for Technical Conversations
Since this role involves technical strategy, brush up on relevant tech and AI concepts. Be prepared to discuss how you can translate a founder's vision into actionable plans with engineers and designers. Demonstrating your technical acumen will set you apart.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Mobility
Mind Friend needs someone who can adapt and relocate as necessary. Share examples from your past where you've successfully managed change or travelled for work. This will show that you're not just willing but eager to be where the action is!
