Strategic Development Associate (Medically Trained Non-Clinical

Holmwood Holdings; Epping Forest; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in the UK is seeking a medically qualified doctor for a non-clinical strategic leadership role. This full-time position offers a chance to influence healthcare innovation and operational excellence while supporting teams with modern systems. The ideal candidate will lead cross-functional projects and contribute to planning and service design. The role provides a salary between £40,000-£50,000 based on experience, a performance-based bonus, and structured mentorship for career progression.

Benefits

Performance-based bonus

Hybrid working model

Mentorship from Group Director

Defined progression pathway

Qualifications

• Medically qualified with 3-5 years post-graduation experience.
• Strong interest in healthcare strategy and innovation.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to strategic planning and business case development.
• Lead cross-functional projects from concept to implementation.
• Oversee rollout of new digital systems across services.

Skills

Healthcare strategy

Innovation management

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Education

Medical qualification (3-5 years post-graduation)

Tools

Project management software

Care management systems

Job description

About the Role

Step into Leadership. Build the Future of Care.

Are you a doctor who wants more than the conventional clinical path?

Please note: Applicants must be a qualified doctor in Medicine and have at least 3-5 years of post-graduate experience.

Job Opportunity

At Holmwood Holdings, we’re offering an exceptional opportunity to work directly with our medically qualified Group Director in a strategic leadership role. You’ll be part of a small, agile senior team driving group-wide growth, service innovation, and operational excellence while learning real-world skills in business, technology, quality and strategy.

This role is ideal for someone ready to take on meaningful responsibility, lead high-impact projects, and play a pivotal role in modernising care through new systems and technology.

About Holmwood Holdings

Holmwood Holdings is an independent and expanding care group providing high-quality residential, nursing, and specialist services across the South East and Midlands. We operate:

• Residential and Nursing care homes for older adults
• Specialist Dementia care services
• Palliative and long-term complex care
• Step-down, reablement and transitional placements
• Short-term and respite care in partnership with the NHS

We are entering a phase of bold growth through acquisition, innovation, and digital transformation. Our approach is rooted in the social model of care, prioritising wellbeing, autonomy and relationships while equipping our teams with modern tools and systems to deliver excellence.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a driven, values-aligned doctor (3-5 years post-graduation) to join our senior development team. This is a non-clinical, full-time role with direct oversight from the Group Director.

You will be responsible for strategic project development and execution particularly those focused on improving group systems, quality, workforce planning, and the integration of new technologies that enhance care delivery and operations.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute to strategic planning, service design, and business case development
• Lead and manage cross-functional projects from concept through to implementation.
• Oversee the rollout of new technologies and digital systems across services
• Identify innovation opportunities to improve care quality, efficiency, and staff experience
• Support acquisition due diligence and integration planning
• Analyse operational and financial data to inform group decisions
• Collaborate with service managers, clinical leads, finance and compliance teams
• Represent the organisation in conversations with local authorities, ICSP partners and technology providers
• Receive structured mentoring and career development from the Group Director

Key areas of Focus

• Project planning, management and execution of key group initiatives
• Technology-enabled service transformation, including systems upgrades, care software implementation, and digital innovation
• Organisational improvement, with measurable outcomes on efficiency, compliance, and resident experience
• Operational oversight with growing responsibility and leadership exposure

Essential Skills

Candidate Profile

We are looking for someone with capability, commitment, and the desire to lead at pace:

• Medically qualified (typically 3-5 years post graduation, e.g. ST1-ST2 or equivalent)
• Strong interest in healthcare strategy, innovation, operations, or digital transformation
• Excellent communication, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated diligence, professionalism, and adaptability
• Comfortable working across diverse teams, service and technologies
• Willing to travel across group sites in the South East and Midlands
• Ready to learn, grow and take ownership of critical projects

What We Offer

• £40,000-£50,000 salary, depending on experience
• Performance based bonus
• Hybrid working model : HQ, site visits, remote flexibility
• Structured mentoring from the Group Director
• Defined 18-24 month progression pathway towards:
  • Senior Strategic Lead
  • Head of Growth / Service Development
  • Group level Operations or Innovation Director
  • Direct exposure to financial planning, M&A, project governance and digital service transformation
  • A rare opportunity to lead real change, early in your career, within a forward-looking care organisation

This role is designed to support and accelerate the leadership development of doctors who are ready to apply their insight, professionalism and ambition outside the clinical setting while contributing to the long-term improvement of health and social care.

Shortlisted candidates will participate in a two-stage process, including a case-based strategy discussion.

Holmwood Holdings Group is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applicants from all professional and personal backgrounds who share our values and vision for compassionate, innovative and accountable care.

About Company

Holmwood Holdings —a dynamic, forward-thinking care provider—is committed to delivering exceptional standards of care. We value our team members, investing in your growth and fostering an environment where everyone thrives.

DE&I

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

Holmwood Holdings Group are committed to creating a caring and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We believe our differences strengthen the care we provide and are dedicated to ensuring fairness, compassion and understanding for our residents, families and colleagues.

In line with the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to preventing discrimination, promoting equality of opportunity and making reasonable adjustments to support individuals in both employment and care. Our values-led, person-centred approach ensures that inclusion, respect and empathy are at the heart of everything we do, enabling our residents and colleagues to feel safe, valued and supported.