Business Consultant - Job Opportunity at First Consult Ltd

Coventry, United Kingdom
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 7, 2025
Hybrid
GBP 45,880 - 48,000 per year

Benefits

Remote work flexibility providing enhanced work-life balance and reduced commuting costs, increasingly valuable in post-pandemic consulting market
Flexible working hours enabling better client service delivery across different time zones and personal productivity optimization
Casual dress code reflecting modern professional culture and comfort-focused work environment typical of progressive consulting firms

Key Responsibilities

Lead comprehensive operational assessments that directly impact care quality and regulatory compliance for multiple healthcare organizations, positioning consultant as strategic transformation partner
Design and implement bespoke ERP solutions that streamline care delivery processes, reduce operational costs, and enhance patient outcomes across domiciliary care and residential facilities
Drive digital transformation initiatives through hands-on system implementation and user training, establishing long-term client relationships and recurring revenue opportunities
Serve as primary liaison between care providers and regulatory bodies, ensuring CQC compliance while optimizing operational efficiency and staff productivity
Monitor and optimize post-implementation performance metrics, demonstrating measurable ROI and building foundation for contract renewals and service expansion
Maintain cutting-edge expertise in healthcare technology and regulatory changes, positioning firm as thought leader in care sector digital transformation
Develop strategic roadmaps and detailed action plans that align client operations with industry best practices and commercial objectives

Requirements

Education

Master's degree required

Experience

Minimum 5 years' experience in a consultancy, operational, or transformation role within the UK health and social care sector

Required Skills

Proven experience implementing ERP or care management software (e.g. CarePlanner, PeoplePlanner, Access Care, Log my Care) Strong working knowledge of CQC regulations, UK employment practices in care, and operational compliance frameworks Excellent stakeholder engagement, report writing, and analytical skills Demonstrated ability to lead transformation projects and drive measurable outcomes Strong communication, leadership, and training facilitation skills IT project management: 5 years required

Certifications

PRINCE2 Certification required
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The UK care sector is experiencing unprecedented digital transformation pressure following COVID-19, with CQC increasingly requiring digital record-keeping and remote monitoring capabilities. This has created massive demand for consultants who can bridge the gap between traditional care delivery and modern digital systems. Government funding initiatives like the NHS Digital Transformation Programme are driving £2.5 billion in healthcare technology investments, creating substantial opportunities for specialized consultants who understand both care sector operations and enterprise software implementation. The care sector workforce crisis, with 165,000 vacant positions across the UK, is forcing providers to adopt workforce management technologies and operational efficiency systems, making ERP implementation consultants critical to organizational survival. Regulatory compliance requirements are becoming increasingly complex, with CQC introducing new digital standards and interoperability requirements that require specialized consulting expertise to navigate successfully.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary of £45,880-£48,000 is positioned at the lower end of the market for senior healthcare IT consultants in the UK, where typical ranges span £50,000-£70,000. However, the hybrid working arrangement, specialized sector focus, and potential for performance bonuses may offset the base salary gap. The role offers strong progression potential given the high demand for care sector digital transformation expertise.

Role Significance

Typically leads cross-functional project teams of 3-8 members including client stakeholders, technical specialists, and training coordinators. The consultant serves as primary client relationship manager while coordinating with internal technical resources and external software vendors.
This is a senior individual contributor role with significant client-facing responsibilities and project leadership authority. The consultant operates with considerable autonomy, making strategic recommendations that directly impact client operations and regulatory compliance. The role combines technical expertise with business consulting, positioning the individual as a trusted advisor to senior care sector executives.

Key Projects

End-to-end ERP system implementations spanning 6-18 months for care organizations with 50-500+ staff members CQC compliance transformation projects involving policy development, staff training, and system configuration to meet regulatory standards Multi-site digital transformation initiatives for care home groups requiring standardized processes across 5-20+ locations Workforce management system deployments including shift scheduling, compliance tracking, and performance management modules

Success Factors

Deep understanding of care sector operational challenges and regulatory requirements enables credible stakeholder engagement and practical solution design that addresses real-world constraints and compliance needs. Strong project management and change management capabilities are essential for navigating complex organizational structures, resistant staff cultures, and tight implementation timelines while maintaining service delivery continuity. Technical proficiency combined with business acumen allows for realistic system configuration, effective user training delivery, and sustainable adoption strategies that deliver measurable ROI for client organizations. Relationship building and communication skills are critical for managing senior stakeholder expectations, facilitating difficult conversations about operational changes, and maintaining client satisfaction throughout challenging transformation processes.

Market Demand

Extremely high demand exists for consultants with this specific skill combination of care sector knowledge, ERP implementation experience, and CQC regulatory expertise. The intersection of healthcare technology transformation and regulatory compliance requires specialized professionals, creating a seller's market for qualified candidates.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

CQC regulatory knowledge is absolutely essential as non-compliance can result in care provider license revocation and facility closure, making regulatory expertise the foundation of credible consulting advice and client trust in this sector. ERP implementation experience specific to care management software represents the core technical competency that differentiates this role from general business consulting, requiring hands-on experience with sector-specific platforms and integration challenges. Project management certification and experience are critical for managing complex implementations involving multiple stakeholders, tight timelines, and operational continuity requirements that cannot be compromised in care delivery environments. Stakeholder engagement skills are vital for navigating sensitive care environments where staff resistance to change can directly impact patient care quality and regulatory compliance outcomes.

Beneficial Skills

NHS Digital standards knowledge becomes increasingly valuable as interoperability requirements expand and care providers seek to integrate with broader health system digital infrastructure and data sharing initiatives. Workforce planning and digital auditing expertise offers additional revenue opportunities as care providers struggle with staff shortages and need sophisticated tools for resource optimization and compliance monitoring. System integration capabilities provide competitive advantage as care organizations increasingly require connections between ERP systems, clinical record platforms, and regulatory reporting tools for comprehensive digital transformation.

Unique Aspects

The role combines technical ERP implementation expertise with deep care sector regulatory knowledge, creating a unique professional niche that offers strong job security and earning potential in a rapidly growing market segment.
Direct involvement in improving patient care outcomes and regulatory compliance provides meaningful work purpose beyond typical business consulting, appealing to professionals seeking social impact alongside commercial success.
The specialized focus on domiciliary care and care homes creates opportunities to become a recognized industry expert and thought leader in a sector experiencing fundamental digital transformation.
Hybrid working arrangement in a traditionally relationship-heavy consulting environment demonstrates progressive approach to work-life balance while maintaining client service quality standards.

Career Growth

Career progression to senior consulting roles typically occurs within 2-3 years given the high demand for specialized expertise, while transition to practice leadership or independent consulting often develops over 4-6 years as client networks and reputation establish.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Management Consultant or Principal Consultant roles focusing on healthcare sector transformation, with increased responsibility for business development and strategic client relationships Head of Healthcare Practice or Practice Director positions within larger consulting firms, involving team leadership and P&L responsibility for healthcare consulting divisions Independent consulting practice establishment leveraging established client relationships and specialized expertise in care sector digital transformation Client-side positions such as Head of Digital Transformation or Operations Director within large care organizations seeking to build internal transformation capabilities

Company Overview

First Consult Ltd

First Consult Ltd operates as a specialized boutique consultancy serving the UK care sector, positioning itself between larger generalist consulting firms and individual freelance consultants. The company focuses specifically on domiciliary care providers and care homes, indicating deep sector expertise and established client relationships within this niche market.

As a specialized firm in the care sector digital transformation space, First Consult benefits from the current market disruption and regulatory pressure driving technology adoption. The company's focused approach allows for deeper expertise development and stronger client relationships compared to generalist consulting firms entering the healthcare space.
Based in Coventry with hybrid working arrangements, the company is well-positioned to serve care organizations throughout the Midlands and broader UK market. The Coventry location provides cost advantages compared to London-based competitors while maintaining accessibility to major population centers.
The company culture emphasizes purpose-driven work with direct impact on care quality and patient outcomes. The hybrid working model, casual dress code, and flexible hours indicate a modern, employee-focused approach typical of growing professional services firms competing for specialized talent.
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