Head of Influence & Insights

Great organisations don't just deliver services. They shape understanding, influence decisions and inspire change. At YMCA Chiltern Group, we're looking for an exceptional Head of Influence & Insight to help us demonstrate our impact, strengthen our voice across the communities we serve and tell our story that goes back 140 years but will continue for generations to come! If you are someone who can turn evidence into action and data into meaningful insight and can tell powerful stories that drive positive change then we'd love to hear from you.

About the opportunity

This is a senior leadership role at the heart of our growing and ambitious charity. You'll lead our Influence & Insight function, bringing together marketing, brand, impact measurement and organisational storytelling into one connected approach. Working closely with colleagues across YMCA Chiltern Group, you'll help us better understand the difference we make, communicate that difference with confidence, and use evidence and lived experience to shape decisions, services and strategy. This is an opportunity to build on strong foundations and play a key role in delivering our vision that people can truly belong, contribute and thrive on body, mind and spirit. What you'll be doing You will provide strategic leadership for our Marketing & Brand and Impact & Insight teams, ensuring they work together to generate meaningful insight, compelling stories and measurable organisational impact. You'll lead the development of YMCA Chiltern Group's organisational narrative, bringing together evidence, research, beneficiary experience and data into a clear and trusted story that resonates with communities, partners, commissioners and supporters. A key part of the role will be helping the organisation move beyond collecting data to generating actionable insight. You'll champion learning, evaluation and impact measurement, ensuring evidence is used to improve services, shape strategy and demonstrate the difference we make. You'll set the strategic direction for marketing, audience development, brand and campaigns ensuring our marketing activity is aligned to organisational priorities and focused on delivering meaningful outcomes. You'll also oversee our approach to storytelling, reputation and brand, ensuring every campaign, publication and piece of content reflects our values, purpose and impact.

What we are looking for

Significant senior leadership experience, ideally within a charity, housing, community, public service or other mission-led organisation. Experience leading teams and delivering strategic activity across areas such as marketing, brand, audience development, impact measurement, research, insight, stakeholder engagement or communications. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear insight and practical recommendations. Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage senior leaders, partners and stakeholders while building shared ownership across teams. A collaborative, values-led approach, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and operational delivery in a fast-moving environment.

Why this role?

This is a rare opportunity to shape how one of Europe's largest YMCA organisations understands, measures and communicates its impact. You'll lead talented teams, influence organisational strategy and help ensure that the voices, experiences and outcomes our beneficiaries at the centre of everything we do. Most importantly, you'll help us demonstrate the real difference YMCA Chiltern Group makes every day, strengthening our reach, reputation and ability to create lasting change.

We offer flexible hybrid working, with colleagues typically spending around two days each week in the office to collaborate, connect and contribute to team life.

This is a Permeant role.

Hours per week: 37.5

Working Pattern: Monday-Friday

Important information:

We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence.

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

We are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage/Civil Partnership, Pregnancy/Maternity, Race, Religion/Belief, Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities.