This role will be leading and developing the Volunteering and Employability functions for FSSW, alongside providing operational safeguarding support to the Safeguarding Team. The core volunteer program supports the running of the organisation as a whole every day and is embedded across all departments in Bristol and Plymouth. The Employability team runs a NEET Employability programme in our South Bristol warehouse 3 days a week, with administrative duties full time. This part of FSSW is expanding and your role will oversee the pilot and launch of another Employability programme in Plymouth.
In This Role You Will
- Be the senior management overseeing and supporting the running of our employability and volunteering functions across Bristol and Plymouth.
- Support the organisation as the Operational Safeguarding Lead, working alongside the Strategic lead to oversee incidents and support the training and development of staff.
- Lead on project development across both volunteering and employability as we grow our offer and launch a number of major organisational developments. This will include but is not limited to; policy, strategy, role and process development.
- Build and work with our volunteer, employability and warehouse teams to ensure that they have the skills, knowledge, support and training opportunities needed to manage the volunteer workforce and deliver the employability programs across the charity.
Line Management:
- Line management of Volunteer Manager based at Bedminster and St Jude’s in Bristol and the Volunteer team at Sisna Park in Plymouth
- Line management of two Employability Programme Leads based at both Bedminster and Inner-city Bristol office and future Plymouth based Employability staff
- Recruit and contract for any staffing gaps in the Volunteer and Employability Teams based on skills and expertise required
- Oversee the volunteer managers who run the day-to-day of the volunteer programme
- Oversee the Volunteer teams to create a recruitment and retention plan to build a reliable voluntary workforce
- Support in any required monitoring and evaluation of the volunteering function
- Work with the Fundraising, Volunteer and Partnerships teams to develop corporate volunteering across Bristol and Plymouth, which generates a flow of committed corporate volunteers and income
- Support the development of the enrichment and pastoral aspect of the volunteer journey provided by the volunteer teams
- Develop community and broad stakeholder partnerships to support the volunteer functions across Bristol and Plymouth
- Oversee development of and then lead on reviews for relevant volunteer policies, processes and any necessary training
- Work with the wider leadership team on the volunteering function as we grow our offer alongside the major organisational developments
- Overseeing the day-to-day management of the Employability Programme
- Working with the relevant Bristol teams on a review and consolidation of Employability and future development opportunities.
- Support in the development of future partnerships and opportunities to expand the work and impact of Employability
- Working with the Plymouth team on the development and launch of an Employability program
- Working with the fundraising team on aspects of funding bids, monitoring and future development.
- Working with the wider leadership team on program expansion alongside the organisational major developments
- Take the lead on organisational safeguarding:
- Overseeing incidents and supporting staff to complete actions
- Ensuring incident reports completed
- Completing monitoring and reporting as required
- Facilitate internal safeguarding training
- Report into the strategic safeguarding lead on any high-level incidents
- Attend the Safeguarding Sub Committee meeting
- Work with the Head of Communications and CEO to design an ongoing internal communications plan to ensure staff and volunteers are up to date with plans, development and activities
- In collaboration with the Communications Team, ensure there is continuous engagement with external audiences
- With the Communications Team build a schedule of promotional activity
- Work with other Fareshare network partners share and learn best practice across the network
- Support the fundraising team to develop future funding proposals and reports
- Collate reports from each team to submit to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and/or Board of Trustees covering all Volunteer and Employability activities, plans and developments
- Working with the Volunteer Managers, CEO and Wider Senior Leadership Team (WSLT) to develop/update the Volunteer and Farechance Handbooks and other key documentation
- Lead the review and development of policies, processes and procedures specific to Volunteering and Employability
- Support consistent practices and procedures across the south west as well as sharing best practice
- Lead on the FSSW relationship with FareShare UK (FSUK) regarding volunteering, employability, and safeguarding, including policies, best practice, innovations, and systems
- Support the development of the FSSW Corporate Volunteering Policy
- Support the implementation of new systems for the recruitment, rota and monitoring of both programmes
- Identify, monitor, and action specific needs and risks of two programmes, regularly updating the risk register; sign-off risk assessments to ensure safety in the workplace
- Lead on and support the development of a MEL (monitoring, evaluating and learning) framework of primary data collected from IT systems to measure, analyse and report on impact
It is not expected that a successful candidate will necessarily have all the following criteria. FareShare South West is committed to helping individuals develop professionally and personally, and your application is encouraged.
Essential
- High level of organisational and time management skills allowing for managing multiple priorities
- Demonstrable experience of leading a team
- Knowledge and experience of safeguarding vulnerable adults
- Knowledge and experience of working with young people
- Knowledge and experience of volunteer programmes
- Experience of recruitment, either volunteers and/or employees
- Experience or knowledge of developing outreach programmes to increase our diversity, social impact, and community engagement
- Ability to produce high-quality written reports
- Ability to monitor and evaluate project development
- Ability to oversee departmental budgets
- Ability to travel between Bristol and Plymouth
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
- Ability to build effective relationships at all levels, externally and internally
- Good IT skills
- Experience of writing strategies and accompanying workplans around programme development working with a variety of demographics
- Experience of working in a management or mid-senior management role
- Experience of process development around on-boarding
- High level budgeting and financial monitoring skills
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Employability and Volunteering in Bristol
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at FareShare South West!
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re a recent grad or still in uni, tap into your career services and alumni network. Many universities have connections with companies looking for HR talent, so get those leads and apply through our website for a smoother application process.
✨Showcase Your HR Passion
Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at FareShare South West.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at FareShare South West. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to FareShare South West and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at FareShare South West. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to FareShare South West's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at FareShare South West
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with FareShare South West.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at FareShare South West will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact FareShare South West and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
