In a compelling journey of innovation and empowerment, Andraya and Marcela crossed paths in 2022 while pursuing their master’s degrees in international project management at Anglia Ruskin University in London. What began as a simple academic encounter quickly evolved into a groundbreaking initiative. Andraya, an entrepreneur at heart, recognised a unique opportunity to establish an agency dedicated to graduates of the MSc International Project Management program. Meanwhile, Marcela introduced a groundbreaking vision centred on job-sharing and flexibility, catering to individuals with caregiving responsibilities and those seeking a sustainable work- life balance.

Their dissertation research in 2023 and 2024 demonstrated how job-sharing can enhance career development and organisational performance while addressing systemic barriers in leadership roles, particularly in healthcare. Together, they are redefining the project management & healthcare landscape, proving that flexible work structures can unlock new opportunities and propel NHS forward. They co-founded North Star CIC, driven by a shared mission: to solve a growing crisis, the loss of mid-career professionals due to rigid working structures.

Our vision is ambitious to reshape how we work, support NHS staff, and build a system that truly reflects the needs of those delivering care.

The Crisis in the NHS: A Workforce Under Strain

The NHS is facing an undeniable workforce crisis (Timmins, 2025). Demand for healthcare is rising, yet staff burnout, long working hours, and outdated workforce structures are pushing skilled professionals out of the system

The statistics speak for themselves:

• Nearly 50% of NHS staff consider leaving due to poor work-life balance and mental health struggles, which tripled within 10 years (Mallorie, 2024).
• Women make up 77% of the NHS workforce, yet many are forced into lower-paid roles or career breaks due to inflexible structures (NHS, 2023).
• The digital transformation of healthcare is leaving many professionals behind, particularly those struggling with digital exclusion and healthcare literacy (Douglass, 2024)
• Overlooked challenges such as period poverty and menopause directly impact the productivity and well-being of female staff yet remain largely unaddressed (BBC, 2024).

This isn’t just a gender equality issue; it’s a healthcare quality and workforce retention issue.

The Missed Opportunity: Losing Talent in Mid-Career

For many healthcare professionals, particularly women, mid-career is where the struggle intensifies. The demands of leadership roles often conflict with caregiving responsibilities. The transition to digital working environments excludes those lacking digital confidence. The impact of menopause and hormonal changes remains a silent career killer. Rather than adapting the system, the NHS continues to lose skilled, experienced staff who could have become its future leaders. This is a leadership gap we can’t afford.

The Solution Job-Sharing: A Smarter Way to Work

Job-sharing is a flexible approach to workforce management that could be the key to retaining NHS’s most valuable asset: our people.

Here’s how it works:

1. Pure Job-Share: Two professionals share the same responsibilities, working alternate days or shifts.

2. Job-Split: The role is divided based on seniority or responsibilities.

3. Hybrid Model: A flexible combination of shared and individual responsibilities.

The benefits extend far beyond mere work-home balance:

• Better retention: Mid-career professionals stay in the workforce, reducing the skills gap.
• Improved patient care: Staff work fewer hours but with higher energy, reducing burnout-related errors.
• Diverse leadership: Women and underrepresented professionals gain access to senior roles.

North Star CIC: A Movement for Change

At North Star CIC, we believe job-sharing is just one piece of the puzzle. Our mission is to create a workforce revolution in the NHS by tackling the barriers holding back talent. Our guiding principle is simple: Connect Collaborate, Succeed. Through these three pillars, we aim to create a united front that promotes well-being, inclusivity, and success for everyone.

We are committed to breaking down systemic barriers in healthcare and ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive in their careers. Our work focuses on four key areas:

1. Job-Share Consultancy: We want to work with NHS trusts to design and implement job-sharing frameworks that work. One-size-fits-all doesn’t apply, so we tailor solutions to fit different NHS roles and departments.

2. Digital & Health Literacy Training: Many NHS professionals are being left behind in the digital transformation. We offer education hubs and training programmes to bridge the digital divide, ensuring staff remain competitive and confident.

3. Addressing Health Barriers: We advocate for policies that tackle menopause stigma, period poverty, and mental health challenges for both men and women in the workplace.

4. Research & Policy Advocacy: We want to partner with universities, research bodies, and NHS leaders to turn insights into action. By demonstrating the impact of job-sharing and flexible working, we are influencing policy at the highest levels.

The Future We Can Build Together

Imagine this: A critical NHS digital transformation project that’s been in the pipeline for years. It’s complex, it’s crucial, and it’s constantly at risk of stalling due to staff turnover and burnout.

Pure Job-Share: Alex and Priya, job-sharing project managers.

Alex has 8 years of project management experience and brings a wealth of experience to the table. Despite facing health challenges, Alex’s expertise remains invaluable. The solution? A part-time schedule that sees Alex working Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday mornings ensuring their health doesn’t compromise their contribution.

Priya is a project management professional with expertise in change management. As a mum of two young children, Priya’s juggling act would be familiar to many. Her role picks up where Alex leaves off – taking the baton on Wednesday afternoon and sprinting through to Friday.

Here’s how their job-share revolutionises the project:

1. Continuous Project Momentum

2. Complementary Diverse Expertise

3. Innovation & Problem–Problem-Solving Capabilities

4. Talent Retention & Work-Home Balance

Both managers can give 110% on their workdays, knowing they have genuine downtime to recharge while attending to their responsibilities and building careers. The result? A digital transformation project that’s not just on track but ahead of schedule. Staff who are engaged, energised, and committed for the long haul. And a blueprint for how complex, high-stakes NHS projects can thrive in the future. The beauty of this approach is its flexibility. It could be adapted for clinical roles, administrative positions, or even executive leadership:

Take Sarah and Joy, two experienced nurses who were considering leaving the NHS due to women-related health concerns. Through a job-sharing arrangement, they now lead a ward together, bringing their combined 30 years of experience to the role while maintaining a healthy work- home balance.

Or consider Dr Amina, a brilliant surgeon who thought her career was over when she needed to care for her ageing parents. Through a flexible job-split arrangement, she now performs surgeries part-time and mentors junior doctors, ensuring her skills aren’t lost to the NHS.

The Way Forward

The NHS is at a turning point. The Long-Term Workforce Plan (2023) has made it clear: Innovative solutions are needed now to prevent a staffing crisis. We cannot afford to keep losing skilled professionals because of outdated work structures. Thus, with the right partnerships and investment, job-sharing and workforce flexibility can become standard practice in the NHS, and this is where you come in.

We are calling on:

• NHS Leaders & HR Teams: Work with us to implement job-sharing in your workforce planning.
• Universities & Research Bodies: Partner with us to build a strong evidence base for flexible job-share working models.
• Healthcare Professionals: If you’re struggling with work-life balance, career stagnation, or digital exclusion, let’s find a solution together.

The time for change is now. Will you be part of this revolution?

Get in touch with North Star CIC today or find out more.

Let’s start the conversation.