YMCA North Tyneside
Interim Director of Commercial Operations
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YMCA North Tyneside is a Voluntary Sector Organisation undertaking youth and community programme work in areas of North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Teesdale. We are part of the worldwide YMCA movement, which started in London in 1844 and has grown to become the world's largest and oldest youth movement. Now, more than 175 years later, YMCA is operating in 119 countries, with 64 million people reached annually around the world. Guided by our Christian values, we believe everyone has potential, and we serve our communities so that all can hope, belong, contribute and thrive.
Are you a sharp, values-driven commercial leader who thrives on variety, autonomy, and real strategic impact?
We’re seeking an exceptional interim leader to step into a pivotal, high-visibility role at YMCA North Tyneside. Reporting directly to the CEO, you won’t just be keeping the lights on - you’ll lead, empower, and grow a commercial portfolio that directly fuels our charitable mission.
From our thriving Nursery, Gym and Cafe to the stunning Patterdale Hall Estate in the Lake District, you’ll lead an established team of Heads of Service during the maternity cover period to drive financial performance, elevate customer experience, and deliver ambitious growth projects.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role overseeing our Social Enterprise businesses, Patterdale Hall Estate Ltd (PHEL), and Marketing & Communications. You’ll work closely with established Heads of Service to maintain strong performance and a positive, supportive culture.
- You’ll bring clarity, direction and constructive challenge — ensuring our income-generating services deliver excellent customer experience, strong financial results and high-quality operations.
- You’ll also sponsor key commercial projects, including the launch of our new Reformer Pilates Studio and development opportunities at Patterdale, keeping plans on track and risks well managed.
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Working alongside the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, you’ll ensure commercial activity supports our wider charitable mission. This interim role is designed to maintain momentum, strengthen performance and keep our commercial services thriving while the substantive Director of Community & Social Enterprise is on maternity leave. This is a 12-month fixed-term contract.
The Successful Candidate
You will be an experienced, project-led commercial leader who can step confidently into a diverse portfolio and keep multiple business units performing at a high standard. You’ll bring strong autonomy, clear judgement and the ability to interrogate information, challenge assumptions and drive delivery across wellbeing, hospitality, fitness, childcare and the Patterdale Hall Estate.
- You’ll understand business plans, budgets, marketing strategies and operational KPIs and know how to keep projects and services moving against them.
- You’ll work effectively through established Heads of Service, offering constructive challenge, coaching and support while maintaining positive, respectful relationships.
You’ll have the confidence to sponsor and lead commercial development projects, the discipline to track budgets and risks, and the commercial instinct to spot underperformance early. Most importantly, you’ll bring a values-driven leadership style that motivates teams, strengthens performance and keeps our social enterprises thriving during this 12-month interim period.
Your Experience and Skills
- Senior leadership across multi-site or multi-unit environments (e.g. social enterprise, leisure, nursery, hospitality).
- Line-management of senior managers or Heads of Service, providing direction, challenge and coaching.
- Budget ownership and financial analysis including P&Ls, mid-year forecasts and commercial sustainability.
- Project sponsorship or senior project leadership for commercial developments (facility launches, service expansions, capital projects).
- Commercial acumen with the ability to quickly understand operational dynamics and implement corrective action.
- Project oversight including budget tracking, risk management, milestone monitoring and stakeholder coordination.
- Performance management using data, KPIs and insight to hold senior leaders to account constructively.
- High autonomy and independent judgement, operating confidently without constant direction.
- Constructive challenge — interrogating information, asking the right questions and not taking things at face value.
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Next Steps and Key Dates
- Advert closes Friday 4th September.
- Shortlisting will take place w/c Monday 7th September 2026.
- Interviews will take place week commencing 20th September 2026.
- Friday 2nd October – This is the date of our annual All Staff Conference. We would be delighted for our new Interim Director to attend, as it provides an ideal introduction to the YMCA, our people, and our Board of Trustees. It will also offer valuable insight into our culture, priorities, and strategic direction from day one.
Want to know more?
Please review the job description and person specification attached to the vacancy on our website here - https://ymcanorthtyneside.org/vacancies/%e2%98%80%ef%b8%8f-interim-director-of-commercial-operations-maternity-cover/
You can also explore our YMCA North Tyneside website for information on our organisational priorities, values and ambitions.
If you’re excited about this opportunity and would like an informal conversation before applying, please contact Hollie.Sturrock@ymcanorthtyneside.org, People & Culture Manager.
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