Volunteer Engagement & Programs Coordinator in Milton Keynes

We train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease, providing life‑saving Medical Alert Assistance Dogs to people with complex health problems across the UK. We collaborate with NHS Trusts, researchers and universities both in the UK and internationally to advance the early diagnosis of disease. This is a small, ambitious charity that is a world leader in its specialist, innovative field.

Main Purpose & Scope of the Role: The Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for the coordination, delivery and ongoing support of volunteer activity across the charity, ensuring volunteers have a positive, meaningful and well supported experience. The role combines hands‑on volunteer coordination with people engagement activity, supporting engagement, communication and safeguarding processes across both volunteers and staff. The postholder works closely with colleagues across the organisation to ensure volunteer involvement is well planned, compliant and aligned with operational needs.

Reports to: People Engagement Manager

What You’ll Do:

• You will coordinate the end‑to‑end volunteer journey, from recruitment and onboarding through to ongoing support, engagement and departure.
• You will act as a key point of contact for volunteers, support teams to work effectively with volunteers, and ensure accurate records, communication and safeguarding processes are maintained.

This operational, people‑focused role is suited to someone who enjoys building relationships, organising activity and supporting others.

Volunteer Recruitment & Engagement:

• Coordinate volunteer recruitment activity to meet charity needs.
• Support the delivery of volunteer marketing campaigns across social media, recruitment platforms and community networks.
• Build and maintain relationships with community groups, schools, businesses and partner organisations.
• Represent the charity at volunteer recruitment events and community activities.
• Support interviews and suitability assessments for prospective volunteers.
• Ensure references and checks are completed in line with policy.

Volunteer Onboarding, Training & Support:

• Coordinate induction processes for new volunteers.
• Ensure volunteers receive appropriate role‑specific training, working with internal teams.
• Maintain regular communication with volunteers to support engagement and retention.
• Act as a key point of contact for volunteer queries or concerns.
• Support volunteers leaving the organisation and gather feedback.

Volunteer Engagement & Communication:

• Support clear and consistent communication with volunteers across the charity.
• Maintain and update volunteer communications via Assemble and other platforms.
• Support the Volunteer Forum and other engagement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain guidance and resources for staff working with volunteers.

Compliance & Administration:

• Ensure volunteer activity complies with safeguarding, GDPR, health & safety and volunteer management standards.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date volunteer records on Assemble.
• Monitor volunteer data and prepare basic reports on recruitment, engagement and retention.
• Escalate safeguarding or compliance concerns to the appropriate manager.

Fundraising & Cross Departmental Support:

• Coordinate volunteer involvement in fundraising events and campaigns.
• Work closely with fundraising, operations and HR colleagues to ensure volunteer support is effective and well planned.
• Promote good practice in volunteering across teams.

Key Qualifications:

• Experience in volunteer coordination, people engagement or a related role.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build positive relationships quickly.
• Experience working with databases or volunteer management systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.
• Understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality principles.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft 365.

Desirable:

• Experience working in the charity sector.
• Knowledge of volunteer management systems (e.g. Assemble).
• Experience supporting training or group facilitation.
• Interest in animal welfare, assistance dogs or medical research.

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to travel occasionally to attend recruitment events or meetings.