Associate Director of Finance

Are you a qualified finance professional ready to take the next step into a senior and influential leadership role?

YMCA Chiltern Group is looking for an accomplished Associate Director of Finance to help shape the future of our finance function and strengthen financial performance across our growing and diverse Group.

Reporting to the Finance Director and working as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will lead financial planning, performance reporting and business partnering across the organisation. You will also provide high-quality financial insight, constructive challenge and practical support to senior leaders, operational teams, Committees and Trustees.

This is an excellent opportunity for a forward-thinking finance professional who combines strong technical expertise with commercial awareness, collaborative leadership and a commitment to social purpose.

The opportunity

As Associate Director of Finance, you will support the Finance Director in delivering strategic financial excellence across the Group.

You will lead the delivery of high-quality management accounts reporting, budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling and regulatory reporting. You will connect frontline financial performance with longer-term planning, ensuring that leaders have the insight and support needed to make informed and sustainable decisions.

You will also lead and develop the financial reporting team, champion better use of financial systems and data, and work alongside the Group Financial Controller to simplify, automate and strengthen finance processes.

Key responsibilities

You will:

• lead the production of accurate, timely and insightful monthly financial performance reports;
• manage the Group’s annual budgeting and forecasting cycles;
• maintain and develop long-term financial models, scenario-planning tools and financial forecasts;
• support the Finance Director with financial reporting to the Board and its Committees;
• monitor and report on financial performance, risks, opportunities and key performance indicators;
• provide robust financial analysis for new opportunities, projects and business cases;
• lead the financial management of the Group’s capital development programme;
• oversee statutory and regulatory financial reporting, working closely with the Finance Director and Group Financial Controller;
• support the preparation and delivery of external and internal audits;
• ensure compliance with Charity SORP, Housing SORP and relevant regulatory requirements;
• maintain the financial risk register and commissioned income tracker;
• act as a senior finance business partner to service leads and operational managers;
• improve financial understanding and accountability across the organisation;
• lead, motivate and develop the financial reporting team;
• drive process simplification, systems improvement and automation across finance;
• build effective relationships with auditors, banks, funders, regulators and other stakeholders; and
• deputise for the Finance Director when required.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant with current membership of a recognised professional body and significant experience of financial reporting, planning and analysis within a complex organisation.

You will bring:

• an ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification, or an equivalent recognised accountancy qualification;
• substantial experience of budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling and scenario analysis;
• experience of long-term financial planning within a complex Group environment;
• a strong understanding of management reporting and financial performance analysis;
• experience of working with senior leaders, Directors and Trustees;
• experience of leading complex Group year-end and internal audits;
• experience of leading and developing a collaborative, business-partnering finance team;
• strong knowledge of financial controls, regulatory reporting and compliance;
• advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency in integrated accounting systems;
• excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder-management skills; and
• the ability to manage complex priorities and deliver consistently to demanding deadlines.

Experience within a charitable or regulated housing organisation, together with knowledge of Charity SORP, Housing SORP and Regulator of Social Housing requirements, would be particularly valuable.

Your leadership approach

You will be confident, approachable and collaborative, with the credibility to advise and challenge senior stakeholders.

You will be comfortable moving between strategic financial planning and hands-on problem-solving. You will use financial information to influence decisions, strengthen performance and help colleagues understand the financial consequences of operational choices.

You will also share our commitment to inclusion, continuous improvement and developing the people around you.

Why join us?

This role offers the opportunity to:

• join the Executive Leadership Team of a substantial and growing charitable Group;
• influence strategic and operational decision-making across a diverse range of services;
• shape the continued development of our finance function;
• lead financial planning and analysis for a £40 million-plus organisation;
• support a significant capital development programme;
• work closely with senior leaders, Trustees, funders, auditors, banks and regulators;
• develop a high-performing, business-partnering finance team; and
• use your financial expertise to support services delivering meaningful social impact.

Working arrangements

The role is based at Central Services in Hatfield moving to Watford in 2028, with hybrid working. The successful candidate will normally work from the office for at least three to four days each week and will travel to other YMCA sites when required.

A Basic Disclosure will be required for this position. The postholder must be able to travel across the organisation’s operational areas and may occasionally need to work outside standard hours to meet operational requirements.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement explaining how your skills, experience and leadership approach meet the requirements of the role.

Closing date: 25 November 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed

This is a Full time Permanent role.

Hours per week:  37.5

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

Important information:

We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence.

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

We are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage/Civil Partnership, Pregnancy/Maternity, Race, Religion/Belief, Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities.