Director of Finance & Performance

For more than 90 years, YHA has believed in the transformative power of travel and adventure, particularly for young people and others who face barriers to accessing nature, the outdoors and shared cultural experiences. Through a unique network of around 120 hostels across England and Wales, YHA welcomes more than a million people each year, operating as both a charity and a large-scale social enterprise with a national footprint.

In recent years, YHA, like many mission-driven organisations, has faced significant challenge. The pandemic, sustained inflation and structural shifts in the market have tested its operating model and financial resilience. In response, YHA has embarked on a clear, Board-backed programme of recovery and transformation, focused on long-term sustainability and impact. This is a defining moment in that journey.

We are now seeking an exceptional Director of Finance & Performance to play a central role in reshaping YHA for the next generation.

This is a senior strategic leadership role rather than a traditional finance director post. You will combine rigorous financial stewardship with a strong analytical and performance mindset, bringing clarity and confidence at a time when decisions matter. Working closely with the Executive Director of Resources & Transformation, the Executive Team and the Board, you will lead YHA's finance, performance management and business intelligence functions, strengthening financial foundations, governance and covenant compliance, and maintaining effective relationships with banks, auditors and regulators through a period of significant change.

You will establish robust performance frameworks and high-quality management information that support evidence-led decision-making across the organisation. Your insight will underpin major strategic choices, including investment and asset optimisation, service delivery models, technology transformation and network change, helping YHA mature into a more consistently data-led organisation.

We are keen to hear from experienced senior finance leaders from the charity, public or commercial sectors who see transformation as an opportunity rather than a burden. You will bring credibility at executive and board level, a strong track record of leading finance and performance through organisational change, and the resilience to balance short-term pressures with long-term ambition. Most importantly, you will be motivated by the opportunity to help secure the future of an organisation with a powerful social purpose.

To find out more and apply, please visit:

Closing date: Friday 20 February 2026