Associate Partner – Health Systems

CF is a leading consultancy dedicated to making an enduring impact on health and healthcare. We work with leaders and frontline teams to improve health, transform healthcare, embed life science innovation and boost growth through investment.

Our consultancy serves the entire healthcare sector – from payors and providers of care to life science companies, health tech and sector suppliers – providing end‑to‑end services spanning strategy, finance, performance, organisational improvement, data and digital.

As an inclusive and values‑driven organisation we are committed to excellence and honoured to have received multiple industry awards.

Role Summary

As a core member of CF’s senior leadership team, the Associate Partner will drive the growth of our Health Systems business, focusing primarily on the NHS and performance improvement. The role requires deep experience in business development and trusted relationships across health system leaders, providers and commissioners. The Associate Partner is responsible for delivering their own revenue target and supporting the wider Partner team in achieving collective goals. They will also be materially involved in client delivery – leading and supporting projects and ensuring the highest standards in deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Business growth
  • Lead the development of CF services within Health Systems and our approach to business development for growth and expansion.
  • Deliver anchor revenue targets aligned with the business plan and help support other leadership members in achieving their targets.
  • Work with CF leadership to actively develop the health systems and wider business plans.
• Client development
  • Establish and develop relationships with senior clients as a trusted advisor.
  • Cultivate and expand your network by identifying key client organisations who could benefit from CF’s offerings.
• Brand leadership and thought leadership
  • Maintain a compelling personal brand and engage in speaking and events to elevate CF’s profile.
  • Lead the development of distinctive insights and thought leadership to create new lines of client service and enhance capability.
  • Build CF’s brand in the health systems market through digital platforms and communication.
  • Codify knowledge from client delivery for use across proposals and client work.
• Client delivery
  • Act as Delivery Partner on multiple client engagements simultaneously.
  • Lead the orchestration and delivery of complex projects, ensuring scope, quality, timeline and resources.
  • Mentor and develop the project team, providing regular feedback and guidance.
  • Build teams with the right mix of people and capabilities.
  • Address risks and issues during delivery and communicate to stakeholders.
• People leadership & mentorship
  • Create effective team working internal to CF and in partnership with clients.
  • Mentor client delivery and bid teams.
  • Act as a development sponsor for up to five team members.
  • Role‑model CF values and foster a culture of psychological safety.

Requirements

• Mandatory
  • Ideally 10+ years’ experience in management consulting or senior healthcare leadership with a strong focus on health systems.
  • Extensive experience leading complex, high‑impact projects in NHS systems or healthcare delivery.
  • Proven project leadership and client management skills, including oversight of multidisciplinary teams.
  • Exceptional team management and people development skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication, able to influence senior stakeholders.
  • Strong delegation skills with accountability for outcomes.
  • A well‑established network in the healthcare sector and a record of business development and revenue generation.
  • Deep industry knowledge of NHS and global healthcare system trends.
  • Relevant degree or professional qualification in a related field.
• Preferred
  • Experience in consulting on service redesign or operational transformation in healthcare.
  • Experience in data‑driven performance improvement or workforce improvement.
  • Experience in digital health initiatives that improve organisational performance.

Benefits

• Holiday entitlement: 25 days/year for staff; 30 days/year for leadership (increases by 1 day per year of service up to 35 days).
• Employer pension contribution 7% of salary.
• Flexible benefits programme (pension, cash plan, ClassPass).
• Annual leave purchase for employees with less than 35 days entitlement.
• Income protection – 75% of salary in long‑term incapacity.
• Enhanced sick pay up to 12 weeks per 12‑month period.
• Life insurance covering four times basic salary, tax‑free lump sum payout.
• Enhanced family leave policies with additional pay for parents.
• Interest‑free loan up to £10,000.
• Interest‑free season ticket loan repayable over 12 monthly instalments.
• Workplace nursery scheme for tax/NI savings.
• Employee assistance and wellness programme (counselling, coaching, online tools).
• Seasonal flu jabs and eye care test vouchers.
• Ride‑to‑work scheme with savings up to 42% on cycling equipment.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Consulting