At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire volunteers in the paddling community while shaping a national volunteering strategy.
- Company: Paddle UK, the governing body for Paddlesports, promoting inclusivity and engagement.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, flexible dress code, free parking, and employee benefits platform.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on collaboration and strategic impact in sports.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on volunteering at grassroots and international levels.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and experience in volunteering or project management preferred.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 67000 £ per year.
Location: Nottingham – National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Closing date: 26th June 2026
Actively support, recognise, and inspire new and existing volunteers across every level of our paddling community. Paddle UK is seeking an innovative and collaborative Volunteer Manager to lead the development and implementation of our volunteer support strategy. Sitting within the Paddlesport department, you will drive the creation and delivery of a meaningful volunteer action plan designed to encourage, support, and retain volunteers across all grassroots and competitive levels.
This role offers a unique opportunity to shape volunteering not just at the grassroots club level, but also on the world stage for a major international event as one of the priorities within your first 12 months will be leading the recruitment and implementation of 300 volunteers for the 2027 ICF Slalom World Cup. This is a high-impact, cross-functional role requiring a balance of strategic vision and exceptional relationship-building skills. You will work closely with internal departments and key sector partners to design initiatives that break down barriers, championing diversity to ensure people from all backgrounds are welcome and celebrated within the paddling community.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Delivery: Lead the development and delivery of the volunteer action plan, working collaboratively across Paddle UK departments to embed volunteer support strategies.
- Inclusion & Diversity: Design and implement innovative strategies that encourage and enable individuals from diverse backgrounds to become volunteers.
- Reward & Recognition: Coordinate and manage campaigns and initiatives that celebrate and recognise the vital contributions of volunteers at local, regional, national, and international levels.
- Resource & Training Development: Create, promote, and manage high-quality guidance resources, funding streams, and impactful training opportunities to improve volunteer recruitment and retention.
- Insight & Tracking: Develop robust systems and analytical insight tools to track project impact, monitor volunteer trends, and evaluate progress against strategic delivery goals.
- Sector Collaboration: Oversee relevant volunteer forums to gather feedback. Build and manage strong relationships with external sporting organisations, including Sport England, NGBs, and Active Partnerships.
Why Join Us?
This is a pivotal role for an engaging relationship-builder looking to shape the culture and future of volunteering across a national sporting landscape. You will join a team that values:
- Meaningful Change: A culture that encourages innovative thinking and creative problem‑solving to continuously improve the volunteer environment.
- Collaborative Success: Direct influence over a wide network of internal and external stakeholders, working together to achieve shared interests and strategic objectives.
- Strategic Impact: The opportunity to translate high‑level sector priorities into clear, outcome‑focused objectives that directly support the people who keep our sport moving.
About You
You will be a flexible and resilient leader who excels at breaking down silos and building operational cohesion across diverse teams. Communication and collaboration are at the heart of everything you do. We are looking for:
- Collaborative Leadership: A natural networker with a proven track record of bringing different functions together to build cohesive, high‑performing networks.
- Skilled Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage, inspire, and navigate difficult conversations or conflicting viewpoints with respect and confidence.
- Strategic Insight: The ability to translate organisational priorities into practical action plans while understanding interdependencies across different teams.
- Analytical Thinking: Excellent decision‑making and good judgement, backed by a strong understanding of data collection and evaluation processes.
Qualifications & Mindset: Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant subject matter, paired with a positive, can‑do attitude and the ability to handle competing priorities. Experience volunteering in sport and project management systems is highly desirable.
Paddle UK is the governing body for Paddlesports. We have had many advances in our sport and paddling now covers a wide range of interests and passions as a sport and a leisure activity for all. We want to support and provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy and realise their potential within all aspects of paddling regardless of their age, background or ability. We recognise the contribution our employees make and think these benefits reflect our appreciation:
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Dress for your day (jeans acceptable)
- Free onsite parking and bike storage
- Company pension scheme
- Employee benefits platform (including Bike to Work, Health and Wellbeing and discounts)
Volunteering Manager in Nottingham employer: Paddle UK
Paddle UK is an exceptional employer that champions meaningful change and collaborative success within the paddling community. Located at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham, we offer a vibrant work culture that values innovative thinking and inclusivity, alongside generous benefits such as 25 days of annual leave and a supportive pension scheme. As a Volunteering Manager, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of volunteering in sport while enjoying professional growth and development in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteering Manager in Nottingham
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Paddle UK.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Paddle UK.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Paddle UK.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Paddle UK. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteering Manager in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Paddle UK. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Volunteering Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Paddle UK
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Paddle UK. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
