Head of Estates
Matlock/Hybrid
Permanent
Full time 37.5 hours per week
Office / home based / hybrid
£62,000 per annum + £5,400 per annum car allowance (applies to all, including those under the age of 21)
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our Estates team within the Property and Compliance directorate as Head of Estates.
YHA is seeking a commercially astute Head of Estates to lead the strategic management and transformation of its national property portfolio. Reporting to the Director of Property & Compliance, this is a senior role with significant accountability for commercial decision‑making, focused on strengthening financial resilience while supporting YHA’s long‑term charitable mission.
You will lead the delivery of a complex estates transformation programme, including the active disposal of freehold assets and the restructuring or exit of leasehold interests. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will progress multiple transactions at pace, balancing value maximisation with speed and certainty of delivery. The role requires a confident deal‑maker with strong market insight, sound commercial judgement and the ability to influence at Executive and Board level in a fast‑moving, change‑driven environment.
Why work for YHA?
Join our team and enjoy a range of exclusive staff benefits that support your well‑being and career growth:
10 nights free hostel stays per year for you and up to 3 friends or family
Access to YHA’s staff discount and cash back portal
Free YHA Membership each year
Access to support via our Employee Assistance Program
There are many more benefits to working for YHA so please visit our YHA Jobs website for more information.
What will you be doing as a Head of Estates?
Working with the Estates Team you will be:
Providing strategic leadership and transformation – by leading the delivery and ongoing review of YHA’s Estates and Asset Strategy, taking ownership of estate‑related elements of the Transformation Plan, executing disposal transactions and coordinating partnership opportunities for suitable properties
Asset management and transactions – Responsible for valuation, acquisition and disposal of property assets, identifying opportunities for value extraction, proactively managing leasehold liabilities and procuring and managing specialist advice
Negotiation and commercial delivery – Handle property negotiations including acquisitions, disposals, lease renewals, rent reviews, dilapidations, business rates, licences and management agreements etc. and resolving disputes with third parties where required
Governance risk and legal compliance – Maintain an accurate database of YHA’s property interests, advising senior colleagues on property, legal and planning matters and managing delegated revenue and capital budgets ensuring value for money for YHA
Leadership and collaboration – Acting as a professional advocate for YHA, building credibility and influence with external stakeholders, leading the Estates team, providing clear direction and prioritisation whilst working closely with colleagues across other departments to ensure estate decisions support operational delivery and organisational objectives
What Skills and Experience do you need to be a Head of Estates?
To work as part of the Estates Team we are looking for candidates with the following qualities:
Full RICS membership (or equivalent senior qualification in a property or legal discipline)
A decisive, results‑focused, self‑motivated, resilient professional able to balance short term pressures against long‑term strategy
Strong working knowledge of estate and asset management including demonstrable experience of delivering asset strategies in complex organisations
Proven transactional experience including acquisition and disposal of operational property assets and negotiation of complex leasehold arrangements
Ability to progress multiple transactions at pace
Confident communicator able to influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders and external counterparts
Proven experience of delivering results whilst working autonomously with minimal supervision
Experience of managing specialist teams through periods of change
Strong project management skills including business case preparation, Board papers and estate management plans
Proven budget management experience
Demonstration of our HEART values – they’re part of everything we do, and we look for people who bring them to life in their everyday work
For more information about the role and the skills and experience required, please refer to the job description
Who are YHA?
YHA is a social enterprise with a mission to enrich the lives of all, especially young people. YHA does this by providing brilliant hostel stays and experiences that improve physical health, mental wellbeing and life skills.
If you would like to find out more about YHA the charity, the culture, the heritage and so much more please visit our jobs website.
How do you apply?
Submit your CV and complete the application form. For more information about our recruitment process, visit the job website. If you need any assistance, please email jobs@yha.org.uk
Once the hiring manager has reviewed your application we will contact shortlisted candidates. We aim to get in touch within a reasonable amount of time after the closing date. You can also check on the progress of your application if you have signed up to Connect – our online candidate portal.
If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please get in touch by emailing jobs@yha.org.uk.
PLEASE NOTE All relevant checks are in place to ensure safeguarding and legal requirements of safer recruitment are adhered to. We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
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