Our vision
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A world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.
We want to see a world where every young person who is struggling feels able to reach out, and has people and services around them who can really help.
We're looking for a Board Finance Expert to join the Youngminds team and advise the Board. This is a volunteer position.
Key information
- Application closing date
- 25 May 2026
- Interview date
- 08 Jun 2026
- Working environment
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We are currently working with a hybrid working model, where there is the option of working from home combined with 4-12 days a month of working in the office.
About this role
An expert advisor provides strategic advice and support to YoungMinds. Although they are not a Trustee and do not have formal decision-making authority, they are a valuable resource for Trustees of YoungMinds and the Executive Team.
Expert Advisors help YoungMinds gain new insights and provide advice to solve problems or explore new opportunities by stimulating robust, high-quality discussions.
They bring current knowledge, critical thinking, feedback and analysis to help increase the confidence of Trustees and the Executive Team and strengthen organisational resilience.
Expert Advisors can be subject matter experts, stakeholder representatives and/or experienced professionals. They are appointed for their knowledge and direct experience to problem solve, explore options/concepts and strategic direction.
The role of expert advisors is critical to YoungMinds success but can be considerably more ‘light touch’ in terms of process. There is no need for elections, term limits and or attendance at board meetings. Expert Advisors are free to concentrate their energies on their core role, which is to complement the Sub Committees by providing specialist experience, knowledge and capacity that is not readily available elsewhere.
2024-2025 was a challenging year for many in the charity sector, however it was also a period of profound impact, strategic adaptation and renewed focus on the young people we serve. Although our income rose slightly this year, costs have also increased, and we have made tough choices about the size, shape and focus of our organisation. We completed an organisational change programme in early 2025, focusing on financial sustainability and consolidating our service delivery work reducing staffing levels by around 25%. We continue to have a deficit operating budget and a number of organisational vulnerabilities as we move towards a new and ambitious strategy in 2026.
Our executive team, board and audit and risk committee are looking to identify a finance expert who can join us to help drive the following outcomes:
About you
We are looking for an individual who brings:
- Extensive senior-level experience in finance, accounting, audit, or financial risk management, ideally within the charity or not-for-profit sector although this is not critical.
- Deep knowledge of regulatory best practice, including financial reporting standards, internal control frameworks, and risk management principles.
- Proven ability to provide strategic advice, constructive challenge, and critical analysis on complex financial and risk issues.
- Confidence to engage effectively, acting as a critical friend to Board members (including Chair of audit and risk and the lead finance trustee), senior leadership, and auditors. Offering challenge that is constructive, evidence based and focused on long term sustainability.
- A strong commitment to the mission and values of YoungMinds and a passion for improving young people's mental health.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex financial concepts clearly and concisely for people with limited financial literacy.
Further information on the post can be found in the job description below.
Apply now
To apply for this role, please download the application form below and follow the guidance in the Board Finance Expert job pack.
Applications should be sent to recruitment@youngminds.org.uk by the deadline listed below, with the job title included as the subject.
We welcome applications from Black and Minoritised, LGBTQ+ groups and those with disabilities, as they are currently under-represented.
Deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 25th May.
Interviews will be held on week commencing 8th June 2026.
About YoungMinds
You’ll be part of a passionate, hardworking team that cares about the work they do and you’ll be part of making a real difference to the lives of children and young people. In addition to becoming part of the YoungMinds team, you’ll get:
- 25 days paid holiday entitlement (plus Bank Holidays)
- three days additional leave over Christmas and New Year
- auto-enrolment onto pension scheme where YoungMinds will match your contribution up to five per cent
- statutory benefits such as parental leave and sick pay
- a wide range of other health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits
- a dedication to continued professional development, training and shared best practice
