At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and partnerships with NHS Trusts to enhance key-worker housing.
- Company: Innovative platform transforming NHS accommodation for clinicians.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, equity, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Join a founding team with direct influence on brand and culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of NHS housing and make a real difference for healthcare workers.
- Qualifications: Experience in NHS accommodation and asset management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Mission
NHS Trusts cannot recruit the clinicians they need without housing them. The existing supply of key-worker accommodation is fragmented, ageing, and built around a funding model that no longer fits how Trusts hire. We are launching a new institutional platform to change that. Architected by an entrepreneurial real estate platform developer and backed by private equity, the platform will purchase operational key-worker housing, invest in modernising the homes and improving service quality and standards, and reshape housing allocation processes to work more effectively with the NHS. An initial £100m+ deployment runway has been earmarked alongside our capital partner for the next 18 to 24 months. With seed transactions identified and in process.
Role Description
As founding Head of Operations & NHS Partnerships, you will own how our buildings perform and how our tenants experience them, and serve as the platform's principal voice with NHS Trust accommodation, HR, recruitment, and Estates teams. On the asset side, you will oversee day-to-day operations, including our in-house property managers, partners, planned and reactive works, occupancy and voids, supplier performance, and the welcome experience for every front-line key worker who moves into one of our schemes. On the NHS side, you will own relationships with various NHS Trusts and broader public-sector teams, ensuring our product continues to serve their workforce as it evolves. You will report directly to the founder, with no intermediaries on strategy or NHS-facing decisions. You will be one of the first three operating hires, and you will have a meaningful influence on the brand, the product roadmap, and the operating culture from day one.
What You Will Bring
- Time served inside the NHS. You have worked in a UK NHS Trust accommodation, staff housing, key-worker housing, international recruitment, or Estates role. This is non-negotiable; adjacent or sector-tourist backgrounds will not be progressed.
- Asset and property management depth. You have run or held a senior role within an operational residential estate. You know how buildings, residents, suppliers, and reporting actually work day-to-day, not just on paper.
- Resident-experience orientation. You instinctively think about what arriving residents need, and have experience in onboarding and welcome processes.
- Nominations fluency. You have direct experience with the structures Trusts use to access, pay for, and allocate staff accommodation, and you know where the existing models break.
- A builder's instinct. You have a track record of setting things up, with adequate support, up rather than maintaining inherited infrastructure. You are comfortable working with ambiguity and shaping a process from a blank page.
- Commercial confidence. You are comfortable with private-sector pace, board-grade reporting, and a platform where operational performance directly drives the investment case.
Bonus Points
- Experience in a Trust international recruitment or relocation function, with a working understanding of overseas clinician onboarding.
- Exposure to Registered Provider structures, regulatory frameworks (RSH), and the interplay between PRS, RP, and NHS-leased models.
- Experience contributing to or specifying digital tools (listings platforms, CRM, scheduling software, workflow products) used by NHS or housing teams.
- Active engagement with sector networks such as the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, AHE, or comparable Trust accommodation forums.
What We Offer
- A founding seat at a brand-new institutional platform with a clear, capitalised runway.
- Direct line to the founder, with no intermediaries on strategy or NHS-facing decisions.
- Competitive base salary, performance bonus, and meaningful equity in the platform.
- Real influence over the operating brand, product roadmap, and operating culture from day one.
- A platform thesis designed to last 20+ years, not to ride a single cycle.
- Hybrid working from London, with regular travel to operational sites and Trust partners across the UK.
Head of Operations & NHS Partnerships in London employer: Stalwarth
As a pioneering platform dedicated to transforming key-worker accommodation for NHS clinicians, we offer an exceptional work environment that prioritises innovation and collaboration. Our founding team is committed to shaping the brand and culture from the ground up, providing you with a unique opportunity to influence our operations and make a tangible impact on the lives of healthcare professionals. With competitive compensation, equity options, and a hybrid working model based in London, we are not just another employer; we are a mission-driven organisation focused on creating lasting change in the housing sector for the NHS.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations & NHS Partnerships in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the NHS and housing sectors. Attend events, join forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your insights on key-worker accommodation and how it impacts NHS recruitment. We want to demonstrate that we know the ins and outs of the industry and can bring real value to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that excites you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email expressing your enthusiasm. We love candidates who take initiative and show genuine interest in what we’re doing.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by understanding the challenges facing NHS Trusts and how our platform can address them. We need to be ready to discuss solutions and showcase our passion for improving key-worker housing. Let’s make sure we stand out as the best fit for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations & NHS Partnerships in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff:Make sure you highlight your experience within the NHS and any relevant roles you've held. We want to see that you understand the ins and outs of NHS Trust accommodation and key-worker housing.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills in asset management and resident experience can directly benefit our platform. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through! We’re building a brand from scratch, so we want to know what makes you tick and how you can contribute to shaping our culture.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stalwarth
✨Know Your NHS Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of NHS Trusts and their accommodation processes. Familiarise yourself with how they recruit clinicians and the challenges they face. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of the sector and show that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Operational Expertise
Prepare to discuss your experience in asset and property management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've improved resident experiences or streamlined operations in previous roles. This will highlight your ability to manage day-to-day operations effectively.
✨Demonstrate a Resident-First Mindset
Think about what key workers need when they arrive at their new accommodation. Prepare to talk about your approach to onboarding and welcome processes, and how you can enhance the tenant experience. This will show that you prioritise the needs of residents.
✨Be Ready to Build from Scratch
Since this is a new platform, be prepared to discuss your experience in setting up processes and systems from the ground up. Share examples of how you've navigated ambiguity and created effective solutions in past roles. This will prove you have the builder's instinct they're looking for.
