Head of Social Enterprise

About YMCA North Tyneside

YMCA North Tyneside is a Voluntary Sector Organisation undertaking community programme work in areas of North Tyneside, South Tyneside and County Durham.

Over time YMCA North Tyneside has become recognised as a well established services delivery Voluntary Organisation in the area as well as playing an active role both sub-regionally and regionally

YMCA North Tyneside is part of an International Christian Youth Movement with centres in over 100 countries throughout the world. We aim to provide a warm welcoming environment in which members can take part in activities of their choice.

YMCA North Tyneside also operate a subsidiary trading company – Patterdale Hall Estate, which is a holiday and outdoor activity centre set in a magnificent mountain setting at the southern end of Lake Ullswater.

As we embark upon our new 5 year strategic plan and a period of growth for the organisation, this is a great time to join a team where our values of Believe, Inspire, Serve and Thrive aren’t just words on a wall but the foundation of our culture and everything we do as a charity.

Overview:

The Head of Social Enterprise is a key leadership role, responsible for the
strategic growth and operational management of our social enterprises,
including the Cafe, Gym and Nursery. The post holder will drive efficiencies,
ensure financial sustainability, and enhance social impact. This role requires a
proactive, hands-on approach, balancing strategic planning with direct
operational oversight and problem-solving. With strong business acumen and
leadership skills, the post holder will foster a high-performance culture,
supporting teams to achieve targets while maintaining an engaging and
purpose-driven work environment.

What are we looking for:

• Leadership & Management

You must be able to demonstrate strong leadership skills, effectively managing

teams and operations while fostering a culture of accountability,

high performance, and continuous improvement

• Strategic Thinking & Decision Making

Have ability to develop and execute strategic plans, using data-driven

insights to make informed decisions that align with

organisational goals and drive growth and sustainability

• Financial Management & Efficiency

Have ability to manage budgets, track revenue and expenditure, and

identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and income

generation to ensure financial sustainability

• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

Be able to build and maintain strong working relationships across

departments and external partners, ensuring seamless

communication and alignment with broader organisational goals

and objectives

Key Responsibilities: 

• To drive growth and sustainability across the cafe, gym and nursery;
• In partnership with line management, actively seek and develop opportunities for income growth, operational efficiencies, and market positioning to enhance the long-term sustainability of each enterprise
• Produce and manage budgets together with monitoring revenue, expenditure and ROI for each enterprise.
• Work closely with Director of Community & Social Enterprise and Finance team to track financial performance & forecasting, utilising data insights, KPIs and financial analysis to make informed decisions, measure success, and drive continuous improvement across all areas
• Oversee day-to-day operations ensuring efficiencies and high standards and allocate resources effectively.
• Implement systems and processes to enhance productivity and service delivery.
• Foster a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement – ensuring staff are supported, motivated, and challenged to achieve business and personal growth.
• Liaising with Health and Safety and/or Maintenance teams to ensure compliance and to mitigate risks.
• Ensure each enterprise and team meets regulatory requirements and best practice, ensuring quality standards across services.
• Build relationships with key partners, funders and internal and external stakeholders, representing the charity’s social enterprise initiatives to increase visibility. 
• Work collaboratively with other departments, ensuring alignment with wider organisation goals.
• Provide regular reports to the Director of Community & Social Enterprise, including updates on KPIs, KIIs and MIIs.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the wider organisation and business areas to ensure alignment and progression towards strategic goals.
• To oversee the main reception and room booking functions, ensuring bookings are managed effectively, and drive maximised revenue and service quality.

What you will bring to the role: 

• A degree or NVQ or relevant experience in business management and leadership
• Experience of high pressured environments showing effective coordination of varied and conflicting work priorities
• Proven experience managing social enterprises or similar purpose driven organisations 
• Strong leadership and team management skills with experience supervising multiple departments and teams

Closing date: please apply online by Friday 2nd May 2025, please note that we may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. 

Interviews: if you are successful fist stage interviews will be week commencing 5th May 2025.

Want to find out more about the job?

Please feel free to contact HR for an informal chat about the position by email at hr@ymcanorthtyneside.org

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We strive to create a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels protected from harm. We have robust procedures in place to prevent and address any concerns about abuse or neglect. All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report any concerns about the safety or welfare of children, young people, or vulnerable adults. We have clear reporting procedures and we will take all concerns seriously. 

As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, all roles that involve working with children, young people or vulnerable adults will require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level including checks against the relevant Barred Lists. We are committed to thorough background checks to help ensure that those whom we employ are suitable to work with these groups.

Equal Opportunities

YMCA North Tyneside is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst the workforce. We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and we are determined to ensure no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status or race, or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.  Flexible work is supported, and applications from people with disabilities are encouraged. We strive to create local employment opportunities for all

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

We believe in providing equal opportunities for all qualified individuals, regardless of their background. We recognise that people can change and we are committed to giving individuals with criminal records a fair chance to demonstrate their skills and abilities. 

We assess each applicant based on their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role, taking into account the nature of the offense, the time elapsed since the conviction, and any evidence of rehabilitation. 

We are dedicated to creating a workplace that fosters inclusion and supports the successful reintegration of individuals into the workforce. We comply with all relevant legislation and guidelines regarding the employment of ex-offenders and we are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment for all employee