Engagement officer jobs in Birmingham, west midlands

We’re looking for a collaborative, highly organised Youth Engagement Project Officer, who is passionate about building opportunities for children and young people in libraries.

You’ll have great communication skills and enthusiasm for platforming young people’s voices. You’ll also know how to manage priorities, keep projects within deadline and budget, and accurately collect and compile data. As a natural people-person, you’ll feel confident supporting library teams, partners and colleagues and be happy taking initiative.

We’d especially love to hear from you if you have created opportunities for children and young people to be heard and involved in decisions that affect them, and if you’ve been involved in supporting the delivery of projects. Experience of libraries is not required as you’ll have lots of opportunities to learn about our sector in this role.

About the work

Our focus is on creating libraries of tomorrow with children and young people today.

We want all children and young people to feel at home at the library, to be understood, empowered and inspired. Our collaborative national network is made up of members from library services, partners and supporters. We believe in the need for safe spaces and real-life connections to support the demands of modern life. Together, we’recreating change, and you can be a part of it.

We are an Arts Council England Investment Principles Support Organisation. Our members are leaders in children and young people’s public libraries and school library services.

Libraries Rising and The Reading Agency were recently successful in securing funding from the Arts Council to deliver a two-year programme, to place young people at the heart of shaping the future library reading experience. The two-year project forms part of the legacy of the National Year of Reading 2026 and will work with young people and library services across nine regions of England to co-create new approaches, resources and digital innovations that build on the strengths of libraries and inspire more young people to read for pleasure. 

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who lives our values - progressive, collaborative, kind, aspirational and inclusive. 

What’s important to us needs to be important to you too. We want to focus on impact, to work openly, to collaborate with and learn from others, to take the time to care for ourselves and each other, and to have fun together. We are building an environmentally sustainable charity, and we want to be celebrated as an inclusion changemaker in the sector. 

Our application process is open to everyone and anyone with the experience we’re looking for. We have a diverse board of trustees, and we are developing the diversity of our staff team. We particularly welcome applications from people from racialised communities, trans or non-binary individuals, and those with hidden or visible disabilities. 

Please note - a Candidate Pack for this role is available on the application page. 

Job purpose 

As Youth Engagement Project Officer, you’ll work closely with the Programme Manager, the wider Libraries Rising team, The Reading Agency, library services and young people to support the delivery of this project, and to develop our wider support of libraries with their youth engagement work.

What you’ll bring to the role 

You’ll be: 

• A strong communicator, confident with building relationships and keeping everyone on track. 
• Experienced in working with young people and partner organisations. 
• Committed to platforming young people’s voices, especially those who are underserved by their communities, marginalised, or experiencing deprivation. 
• Committed to co-creative practice and working with, not doing to. 
• Experienced in creating, developing and implementing effective systems and procedures. 
• Experienced in providing operational, administrative and project support, with digital skills including use of Microsoft Office and supporting remote teams. 
• Experienced in providing in person and online event planning and support. 
• Aware of GDPR implications and requirements. 
• Committed to your own professional development. 

Employee benefits 

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus Bank Holidays 
• 5% employer pension contribution 
• Employee Assist Programme – including 24/7 counselling, health support and legal helpline. 
• A range of discounts on retail, entertainment, travel and wellbeing. 

Additional information

If you have any questions about the role, please get in touch. 

All applicants must have an existing Right to Work in the UK.

Please also note that appointment will be made subject to collection of two references and a satisfactory DBS check or evidence of a current DBS certificate. 

At Life Charity, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. They give their time, skills and compassion to support women, families and communities across the UK. We’re looking for a passionate and organised Volunteer Experience and Engagement Officer to help us recruit, engage, support and celebrate our volunteers, ensuring they have a positive and rewarding experience from their first enquiry through to long-term involvement.

Accountable to: HR Advisor, Retail and Volunteer Operations Manager

Location: Home Based with travel to sites around the UK and to the Leamington Spa Office

Contract Information: 21 hours per week across a minimum of 3 days/Permanent

Salary: £15,288 actual (£25,480 FTE)

Benefits:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro-rota for part time contracts)
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Birthday leave after 1 years’ service. 
• Paid mileage for travel to locations other than base location.

Internal Relationships: Directors and Heads of departments/HR Team/All staff within Services and Income Generation Teams

External Relationships: Volunteer Centres/Local Communities/Local Councils/Associations that support volunteer management/Training providers

The Volunteer Experience & Engagement Officer plays a key role in ensuring that volunteers have a positive, meaningful, and impactful experience with the charity. This role is responsible for recruiting, supporting, engaging, and retaining volunteers, while fostering a strong sense of community and alignment with the organisation’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Volunteer Recruitment and Onboarding

• Develop and deliver effective volunteer recruitment strategies
• Manage volunteer applications, interviews, and selection processes
• Coordinate onboarding, inductions, and training sessions
• Ensure all volunteers are safely and appropriately onboarded (including checks where required)

Volunteer Experience and Engagement

• Act as the main point of contact for volunteers, providing ongoing support
• Design and implement initiatives to enhance volunteer satisfaction and engagement
• Organise events, recognition programmes, and feedback sessions
• Build a strong, inclusive, and motivated volunteer community

Retention and Development

• Monitor volunteer engagement and identify opportunities to improve retention
• Provide opportunities for skills development and progression
• Address concerns and resolve issues in a timely and supportive manner

Communication and Coordination

• Maintain regular communication with volunteers through newsletters, updates, and meetings
• Work closely with internal teams to match volunteers to suitable roles
• Ensure clear role descriptions and expectations for all volunteer positions

Monitoring and Reporting

• Track volunteer data, hours, and impact
• Collect feedback and evaluate volunteer programmes
• Produce reports on volunteer engagement and outcomes

Safeguarding and Compliance

• Ensure all volunteering activities comply with organisational policies and safeguarding standards
• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all volunteers

Key Outcomes

Growth in Volunteer Base

• Increase in the number of active volunteers
• Strong pipeline of new applicants from diverse backgrounds
• Reduced time to recruit and onboard new volunteers

High-Quality Volunteer Experience

• Positive volunteer satisfaction scores (e.g. via surveys/feedback)
• Volunteers report feeling valued, supported, and connected to the mission
• Consistent delivery of a structured and welcoming onboarding experience

Volunteer Retention & Commitment

• Improved volunteer retention rates over time
• Increased average length of volunteer engagement
• Higher levels of repeat participation and commitment

Engagement and Community Building

• Regular and well-attended volunteer events, communications, and initiatives
• Strong sense of community and belonging among volunteers
• Increased participation in engagement activities (meetings, training, events)

Effective Volunteer Deployment

• Volunteers are well-matched to roles aligned with their skills and interests
• Positive feedback from internal teams on volunteer contributions
• Reduced gaps in volunteer coverage across departments

Measurable Impact of Volunteering

• Clear tracking of volunteer hours and contributions
• Demonstrable impact of volunteers on service delivery and beneficiaries
• Ability to evidence volunteer value for reporting and funding purposes

Strong Communication and Relationships

• Consistent, clear, and engaging communication with volunteers
• Positive relationships between volunteers and staff teams
• Timely response to volunteer queries and concerns

Compliance and Safeguarding

• All volunteers appropriately trained and compliant with policies
• Safeguarding standards consistently upheld
• Minimal incidents due to clear processes and proactive management