Assistant Building Surveyor

Overview

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.

• 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
• Many more benefits available – please visit the YHA Jobs website for more information

• Providing strategic leadership and transformation – 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 – handling property negotiations including acquisitions, disposals, lease renewals, rent reviews, dilapidations, business rates, licences, and management agreements, and resolving disputes with third parties where required.
• Governance, risk and legal compliance – maintaining an accurate database of YHA's property interests, advising senior colleagues on property, legal and planning matters, and managing delegated revenue and capital budgets to ensure value for money.
• 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, while working closely with colleagues across other departments to ensure estate decisions support operational delivery and organisational objectives.

• 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 are part of everything we do and we look for people who bring them to life in their everyday work.

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. We transform young lives forever through travel and real adventure.