Volunteer Management Jobs

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Volunteer Manager to join the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew).  Volunteers contribute significantly to the delivery of Kew’s mission, supporting all aspects of Kew’s work notably in Horticulture, Science, visitor engagement, schools, community and access programmes and Galleries.  We currently count on over 800 volunteers across our two sites - Kew Gardens in west London and Wakehurst, our wild botanic garden in Sussex. 

The volunteering function sits within the Gardens directorate in the Learning and Participation department but has an organisational-wide remit, working closely with business areas such as Horticulture, Science, HR and H&S. There is a devolved structure for the management of volunteers with a full time Volunteer Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at the centre with responsibility for delivering the Volunteer Strategy and associated KPIs, policy and procedures. This central resource support is vital for the continued expansion and development of the volunteering programmes in a coherent and equitable way and to a uniformly high level.

The Volunteer Manager will engage with all volunteers, including those under 18 years of age and vulnerable adults. An Enhanced DBS check is required.

About You

We are seeking an experienced volunteer manager who will ensure our volunteers, and staff who coordinate them, have the skills and support they need to confidently and consistently perform their roles to support the implementation of Kew’s Manifesto for Change.

You will manage the central function for volunteers across Kew Gardens and Wakehurst, supporting processes linked to recruitment, selection, induction, training, pastoral care and leavers.  You will have excellent knowledge of the UK volunteer sector and understand the legal context of engaging volunteering and how it differs from employment. With excellent IT and administrative skills, you will be experienced in collecting, maintaining, analysing and reporting on volunteer data. 

You will be an ambassador for Kew’s volunteers and a visible presence for all volunteers, advocating for them internally and externally. Your strong interpersonal skills will ensure excellent levels of communication with volunteers and staff, and this will include representing volunteers on Kew’s Leadership Forum and chairing the Volunteer Steering Group.

This role is based at Kew Gardens with occasional regular travel to Wakehurst and occasional travel within the UK. There will also be the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

About Us

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi!

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.