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- Tasks: Lead and empower volunteers to make a real difference in communities.
- Company: Join St John Ambulance, England’s leading first aid charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 33 days holiday, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a dedicated team making a significant impact in health and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Shape the future of volunteering and inspire thousands to save lives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in volunteer organisations and strategic vision.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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Direct message the job poster from St John Ambulance
Director of Volunteering Support
Hybrid
Full Time/Permanent
Salary up to £115K
Closing Date: 9 November 2025
Interview Dates: 1st round on Wednesday 19 November 2nd round on Friday 28 November
Our offer to you
We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, providing a supportive culture with opportunities to grow and develop your career, achieve a healthy work life balance and to be recognised for the great work you do.
You will receive:
- Competitive salary and pension scheme
- Life Assurance
- 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) – increasing to 38 days over 5 years
- Cycle to work scheme Electric Vehicle Scheme
- Eye Care Vouchers
- Health and Wellbeing portal – access to financial, health and wellbeing support and an Employee Assistance Programme
- Discounts – you will have access to Blue Light and NHS Discounts as well as discounts on mobile phones, gym membership, cinema tickets, restaurants, holidays and shopping
About Us
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dedicated team of over 1,400 employees and 28,000 volunteers, all working towards a common goal of putting the power of first aid into everybody’s hands.
St John Ambulance is England’s leading first aid charity, working at the heart of communities to save lives and strengthen health and wellbeing. We do this by teaching more people the skills and confidence to act in an emergency and by delivering expert first aid care when it matters most. Through our workplace and community training, youth programmes such as Badgers, Cadets and Young Responders, and public campaigns like Restart a Heart, we aim to reach over a million learners each year. Alongside this, our volunteers deliver care and support to tens of thousands of patients annually, at events, in communities, and during times of crisis, through event healthcare, urgent and emergency care, and community response services. Our first aid mission is powered by thousands of skilled volunteers, supported by a thriving social enterprise that provides best-in-class workplace training and trusted first aid products to businesses and consumers. Together, we are putting the power of first aid into everybody’s hands, every person, every place, every time.
Job Summary
Are you passionate about empowering volunteers to make a real difference? St John is seeking a visionary and dynamic Director of Volunteering Support to lead the teams that enable our volunteer movement to thrive. This pivotal role is all about creating an environment where volunteers of every age feel supported, inspired, and equipped to serve their communities with confidence and purpose.
Reporting to our Chief Commissioner and working in close partnership with our senior volunteer and salaried leaders, you will help turn our shared vision for the future of volunteering into practical reality. Together, we will champion a united, inclusive and impactful volunteer experience—one that fuels our ambition to train one million people and reach 100,000 patients annually by 2028.
Balancing strategic foresight with hands‑on operational delivery, you will tackle today’s challenges while shaping the systems, culture and capabilities that will sustain excellence for years to come. As a trusted enabler and collaborator, you will work side‑by‑side with volunteer leaders to remove barriers, unlock potential, and help others lead effectively.
About You
You are likely to already be an experienced senior leader within a large, complex and volunteer‑involving organisation, confident working in partnership with others to turn vision into reality. You will combine strategic foresight with a hands‑on approach, equally comfortable fixing practical frustrations in the short term as you are shaping long‑term transformation. You will have a strong track record of improving systems, processes and culture to enhance the volunteer experience, and of empowering others to lead and succeed. Emotionally intelligent and collaborative, you will inspire trust, build alignment across diverse teams, and bring calm, confident leadership in complex situations.
About the Role
- Shape the future of volunteering at St John in partnership with the Chief Commissioner and senior volunteer leaders, aligning the volunteer experience with the charity’s strategy and mission.
- Lead the teams and support systems that enable volunteers to thrive, ensuring the environment, culture and tools exist for them to have an enjoyable, rewarding and impactful experience.
- Balance short‑term improvement and long‑term vision, addressing current frustrations and barriers while building the foundations for sustainable growth and innovation in volunteering.
- Foster strong, trust‑based partnerships between staff and volunteers, promoting a united ‘One St John’ approach where teams share goals, information and accountability.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive high volume of applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
St John Ambulance are committed to increasing the diversity of our team and making sure we best reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. At St John, everyone is valued and supported to thrive, we have several networks including Multi Culture, Disability and Accessibility, Pride, Family and Carers and Women’s groups. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination and engender a sense of belonging for all, by creating an environment of mutual respect, where we value unique differences and demonstrate authentic allyship. We believe passionately in equality, diversity and inclusion.
St John Ambulance is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice. Therefore, all successful applicants will undergo pre‑employment checks, including DBS Clearance, as part of the onboarding process, if applicable to the nature of the role.
Please note: St John does not accept speculative CVs and will only review CVs sent in application for an advertised vacancy.
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Director Of Volunteering Support employer: St John Ambulance
Contact Detail:
St John Ambulance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Of Volunteering Support
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or through mutual contacts. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation and its values, especially how they relate to volunteering. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their mission too.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. Get comfortable talking about your experience and how it aligns with empowering volunteers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll be part of a community that’s all about making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Director Of Volunteering Support
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Director of Volunteering Support role. Highlight your passion for empowering volunteers and how your background fits with our mission at St John Ambulance.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in volunteer-involving organisations. This is your chance to demonstrate your ability to inspire and support others.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so make sure you apply through our website as soon as you can to secure your chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at St John Ambulance
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand St John Ambulance's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their volunteer programmes and how they impact communities. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Director of Volunteering Support, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Prepare examples of how you've empowered volunteers or improved systems in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to fostering collaboration and trust.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life situations. Think about challenges you've faced in volunteer management and how you overcame them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the organisation. Inquire about their future plans for volunteering or how they measure success in volunteer engagement. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in contributing to their vision.