Volunteer Development Manager - hybrid in Thames Ditton

Team: People and Culture

Location: Hybrid (split between home-working and either London, Cardiff or Edinburgh) or home-based contract.

Status: Permanent

Salary: The salary on appointment will be set between £47,845 to a maximum of £54,369 depending on the candidate's skills and experience.

Context and purpose of role:

Volunteers are vital to the success of the Ramblers and the delivery of our strategic goals. We’ve launched a bold new initiative to enhance volunteer experience, creating a journey that is inclusive, engaging, and genuinely impactful. Our aim is for The Ramblers to be a place where every volunteer feels welcomed, valued, and supported every step of the way. We believe volunteering should be more than giving time; it should be about finding purpose, building connections, and being part of something meaningful.

As volunteering lead, the postholder will play a pivotal part in bringing that vision to life. You will work closely with key stakeholders to enhance the volunteer experience at every stage of the volunteer lifecycle—from attraction and recruitment through to development and recognition. You’ll design and deliver innovative approaches to enhance the experience of our current volunteers, along with planning and implementing new approaches to attracting volunteers for the future.

The role will report directly to the Head of People Experience.

Key responsibilities:

• Volunteer Recruitment and Onboarding: Develop and implement strategies to attract and recruit a diverse pool of volunteers. Design and deliver comprehensive orientation programs to introduce new volunteers to the organisation and their responsibilities.
• Training and Development: Create and facilitate ongoing training programs to enhance volunteer skills and knowledge. Provide resources and support to ensure volunteers are equipped to perform their roles effectively. Organise workshops, seminars, and training sessions to foster continuous learning.
• Volunteer Management and Coordination: Ensure accurate records of volunteer hours, roles, and performance are maintained. Create a safe and supportive environment, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and best practices around safeguarding. Develop and implement policies and procedures for volunteer management.
• Volunteer Retention and Engagement: Design and execute recognition programs to acknowledge and celebrate volunteer contributions. Organise events and activities to keep volunteers engaged and motivated. Regularly communicate with volunteers to provide updates, gather feedback, and address concerns.
• Program Evaluation and Improvement: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the volunteer program. Conduct surveys and assessments to gather feedback from volunteers and identify areas for improvement. Implement changes and enhancements based on feedback and best practices.
• Collaboration and Partnership Building: Work closely with teams to identify volunteer needs and opportunities. Build and maintain relationships with external partners and community organisations to expand volunteer resources.
• Technology and Data Management: Utilise technology to track and manage volunteer information. Maintain up-to-date records and generate reports on volunteer activities and program outcomes. Leverage communication tools and platforms to effectively engage with volunteers.
• Other: Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably required of the post. Engage and proactively develop excellent working relationships.

The person:

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge: Knowledge of the value volunteers add, and the impact they bring to organisations. Expert and up-to-date knowledge of the law relating to volunteering and volunteering best practice principles, particularly around recruitment and retention. Demonstrable knowledge and experience of implementing best practice solutions to drive a volunteering involving ethos and culture. Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policies, and best practices.
• Skills: Strategic Thinking, Communication Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Analytical Skills, Problem-Solving Skills, Project Management Skills.
• Experience: Experience of ensuring Volunteer and Volunteer Role Manager journeys are accessible and encourage diversity, equity and inclusion.

Personal Attributes:

• Active Listener
• Collaborative
• Adaptable
• Problem Solver
• Analytical Thinker
• Detail-Oriented
• Mentoring
• Innovative
• Ethical
• Visionary

Values and Behaviours:

• Inclusive: We make everyone feel welcome and part of the Ramblers community.
• Inspiring: We strive to inspire people through the way we act and the things we say.
• Empowering: We empower and encourage each other to make a positive contribution.
• Responsible: We take responsibility for ourselves and those around us seriously.