Strategic Volunteering Manager in England

This is a newly created and pivotal role within the People Team, focusing on the high-level design and growth of the Charity’s national volunteer programme. This role will be responsible for co-developing and implementing a comprehensive volunteer strategy that enhances the reach, impact, and sustainability of our mission whilst also aligning with our strategic goals. You will work closely with our Engagement Team, House teams, the People Team, and senior leadership to recruit, support and retain a diverse and engaged volunteer workforce, ensuring volunteers feel valued, well-trained, and aligned to the charity’s mission. This role requires a strategic thinker with first-hand experience in volunteer management, excellent people skills, and a network of contacts in the volunteering sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Development
  • Co-design and implement a national volunteer strategy aligned with the Charity’s values and organisational objectives.
  • Establish clear goals, KPIs, and reporting mechanisms to measure volunteer impact.
  • Ensure volunteer programmes support family services, fundraising and community engagement.
  • Monitor trends in volunteering and introduce best practice across the charity.
• Volunteer Journey Design
  • Shape the entire lifecycle which will include recruitment, onboarding, and induction of volunteers nationwide.
  • Create inclusive pathways to attract volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
  • Build strong relationships with regional teams, partners, and community groups.
• Volunteer Support & Retention
  • Design and maintain high-quality volunteer support frameworks.
  • Ensure volunteers receive appropriate training, supervision, and development opportunities.
  • Implement recognition and reward initiatives to celebrate volunteer contributions.
• Operational Management
  • Develop and maintain volunteer policies, procedures, and role descriptions.
  • Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health & safety, GDPR and equality legislation.
  • Manage volunteer data systems, reporting and KPIs.
  • Maintain, review and update volunteering systems, processes and approaches ensuring that they are efficient, up-to-date, and volunteer friendly.
• People & Stakeholder Management
  • Lead, coach, and support regional or local volunteer coordinators (where applicable).
  • Collaborate with staff teams to embed volunteering across the organisation.
  • Act as a champion for volunteers internally and externally.
  • Represent the organisation at events with a significant volunteer presence, ensuring effective volunteer engagement and management.
• Monitoring & Evaluation
  • Set and monitor KPI’s including engagement, satisfaction, and impact.
  • Produce regular reports and insights for senior leadership.
  • Use feedback to continuously improve the volunteer experience.

Person Specification:

• Extensive experience managing volunteers in a charity or not-for-profit environment.
• Proven ability to lead and deliver a national or large-scale volunteer programme.
• Strong network and connections within the volunteering sector.
• Organisational and project management skills.
• Strong knowledge of UK volunteering good practice, safeguarding, and compliance.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and influencing skills.
• Experience developing policies, frameworks, and training programmes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
• Experience working towards and exceeding KPI’s.
• Experience leading and managing a team.
• (Desirable) Understanding of digital volunteer management systems.
• (Desirable) Experience collaborating with diverse communities across the UK.

Values & Behaviours:

• Passionate about volunteering and community impact.
• Inclusive, empathetic and people focused.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.
• Collaborative and solutions driven.