Head of Operations

About Alva
Alva supports women through menopause with evidence-based information, assessment and treatment. Our mission is to reduce menopause suffering and help all women live longer in good health.

By 2025, over 1 billion will be in menopause. 80% have symptoms, of which 36% experience severe and sometimes debilitating symptoms. These can last up to 15 years (7 years on average).In the UK 13 million women are in menopause, and 58% can’t access menopause services locally. The average waiting time for these NHS menopause services? 6 months.

Beyond the numbers, a tremendous amount of women are suffering and there are significant barriers to them accessing the treatments they need. The consequences at home, at work and for the long term of menopause are severe.

We’re building a comprehensive digital healthcare service from the ground up to make excellent menopause care accessible to accessible to all. By all we mean women of every age, ethnicity, sociodemographic background, sexual orientation and disability. Although the platforms health services are for women – we’re also passionate about including men and families in our menopause conversation to really break the stigma. What we’re building is inclusive to all.

About this role
You’re coming into own the operations function at Alva. From managing our supplier relationships, to building out the customer service function, you’ll be taking Alva’s operations from 0 to 1. This role reports into Alva’s CEO Annie, who is currently responsible for leading the day-to-day operations. You’ll work together to coach and develop the team, and ensure that the company stays on track by developing OKRs and key KPIs for each function. You’ll apply a commercial lens to company problems, and analysing the many new product opportunities in menopause. You’ll care deeply about developing Alva’s people and culture – aspiring to create an environment which is dynamic, creative and psychologically safe.

What you’ll be doing
Owning our key supplier relationships – including with our pharmacy, consultants, accountants, payment providers and insurers.
Owning the financial model, forecasting and quarterly team budgets. You’ll put process and structure around how we’re spending our money, and an integral part to developing our fundraising strategy.
Forming part of the leadership team and working cross functionally to support strategic initiatives, company planning and development of Alva’s organisational culture.
Working closely with Alva’s Medical Director (Katie) to deliver the key operational policies that align to our regulatory plan and ensure we’re running a safe, secure and high quality service
Building out the customer service function, taking full responsibility for hiring the team and developing a world class customer service function.

What we’re looking for who is
Commercial and analytical. This would suit someone from a commercial background e.g. strategy consulting, banking or a commercial/operation role in a rapidly scaling startup.
You’ll bring experience and excellence to the role – having a minimum of 4 years of professional experience.
Hungry to learn. This is a role with a huge scope, and there’s opportunity to truly make it your own. You’ll be joining when the team is less that 10, and you can have a huge impact.
Humble, happy to get stuck in and get things done. Nothing is ‘below’ you. We’re in a startup, and it’s an all hands on deck approach. You’ll embody this attitude as Head of Operations.
Confident enough to speak up and share new ideas. Taking ownership of this role will involve being bold and thinking creatively about how we can create the organisational culture and structure we aspire to have.
Reflective and confident enough to know when to ask for help, and is not afraid to say when they don’t know the answer to something.
A self starter, who will always try to find solutions and get things done to a high standard.
Not a perfectionist. Done is better than perfect. We’re all constantly learning as we strive to make menopause easier for all women. You’ll understand that delivering greatness in a startup is an iterative process, and you won’t be afraid to fail along the way.
Self-aware. You’ll own mistakes, and focus on learning.
A team player. You want to help and develop those around you – as we’re all pushing in the same direction.
Highly empathetic. You’ll model the values and behaviours that we want to create at Alva – showing our team, customers and partners empathy and kindness is not something we compromise on here.

Benefits
A competitive salary with twice yearly salary reviews.
Own a part of Alva through our employee share option scheme.
28 days of holiday per year, plus bank holidays. We also have an extra “birthday bank holiday” policy (take your birthday off, or the Monday after if it’s on the weekend 🥳).
Flexible working hours – work at the times that are best for you.
Pension contributions.
A dog-friendly office 🐶 (and a team dog called Susan) with a lot of plants 🌱. It’s next to Broadway Market.
Our benefits get reviewed periodically with input from the team.

FAQs

Is this a full-time role?

Yes, this role is full time.

Can I work remotely full-time?

We’re open to fully remote applications, but we do have a London office in London Fields where most of the team work 2-3 days per week. Alva is currently operating hybrid working.

What’s the interview process?

Initial screening call with Clare
1 hour interview with Annie
Commercial case study task – at home
1 hour Presentation of task to 2-3 members of the team
30 minute culture interview with 2 other team members
Offer

How to apply
Please email your CV and a cover letter about why the role interest you to clare@withalva.com.