Board Finance Expert in London

We're looking for a Board Finance Expert to join the YoungMinds team and advise the Board. This is a volunteer position. 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.

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:

• Enhancing the audit and risk committee's capacity for informed decision‑making on complex financial and risk matters.
• Strengthening YoungMinds' financial resilience and sustainability in a challenging economic landscape, as evidenced by fluctuating income and increasing expenditure in recent years (see our annual reports).
• Increasing Board confidence that financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management processes are robust, effective, and compliant with relevant charity and company regulations.
• Confidence in YoungMinds financial viability as we begin implementing our new strategy from 2026.

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.

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.

Benefits

• 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.

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.