Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
We're looking for an inspiring Head of Volunteering to lead and shape the future of volunteering across Sense.
When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.
About the Role
We're looking for an inspiring Head of Volunteering to lead and shape the future of volunteering across Sense.
This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change, ensuring volunteering continues to play a vital role in delivering our mission. Reporting to the Chief People Officer, you'll provide organisation-wide leadership on volunteering, helping us maximise our impact, strengthen community connections, and support the long-term sustainability of our services.
Working closely with senior leaders and teams across the organisation, you'll champion inclusive, accessible and innovative volunteering opportunities that enable people from all backgrounds to contribute in ways that are meaningful to them.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and deliver a volunteering development plan aligned to Sense's strategic priorities.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on volunteering strategy and opportunities.
- Champion volunteering as a key contributor to organisational impact, reputation and sustainability.
- Represent Sense internally and externally, promoting excellence in volunteering.
Developing Volunteering
- Create new, flexible and inclusive volunteering opportunities across services, communities, retail and corporate activity.
- Develop frameworks, tools and guidance that support managers to recruit, engage and retain volunteers effectively.
- Build volunteering opportunities that are meaningful, accessible and rewarding.
- Develop robust KPIs to measure volunteer engagement, impact and experience.
- Use volunteer feedback to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
Inclusion and Engagement
- Promote accessible and inclusive volunteering practices across the organisation.
- Work alongside volunteers, disabled people with complex needs and families to co-design volunteering opportunities.
- Ensure volunteer voices help shape the future of volunteering at Sense.
Governance and Compliance
- Provide expert guidance on volunteering governance, risk management and best practice.
- Lead the development and review of volunteering policies and procedures.
- Ensure volunteering activities comply with relevant legislation, regulation and safeguarding requirements.
- Manage the central volunteering budget and demonstrate value for money.
About You
You'll be a passionate and experienced volunteering leader with a strong commitment to inclusion and social impact.
You'll bring:
- Proven leadership experience within volunteer management.
- Experience working in social care, health, disability services or a related sector.
- A track record of developing and growing inclusive, sustainable volunteering programmes.
- Strong coaching, facilitation and influencing skills.
- Experience using data and insight to inform decision-making and demonstrate impact.
- Budget management experience and an ability to demonstrate return on investment.
- A commitment to accessibility, inclusion and rights-based approaches.
We'd love it if you also have
- Experience supporting disabled people with complex needs.
- Experience within regulated services.
- Knowledge of retail volunteering.
- Experience of co-production and co-design approaches.
- Understanding of trauma-informed or positive behaviour support approaches.
- Experience using digital systems to enhance volunteer engagement.
Why Join Sense?
This is an opportunity to shape volunteering across one of the UK's leading disability charities. You'll join a values-led organisation where collaboration, inclusion and innovation are at the heart of everything we do.
If you're passionate about creating outstanding volunteer experiences and want to help more people make a meaningful difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Our values
Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers.
- We're creating change
- We're always learning
- We're better together
To apply
Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.
Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.
No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.
Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That's why we're committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger.
We know there's always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we're working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.
If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role. More information on this can be found here Our commitment as an employer | Sense Careers
We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world.



The Pepper Foundation is a local charity funding children’s hospice care at home, specialised play and family days for children living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. The Community Fundraiser will be joining Pepper at an exciting time as we launch our new three-year fundraising strategy. Backed by committed investment and with full Board approval, we are delighted to be growing the charity to deliver sustainable income that directly supports local children and families with hospice care in the comfort of their own homes.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced relationship-builder to lead and grow community fundraising and challenge events activity, helping to raise vital income for The Pepper Foundation.
You will take ownership of a varied portfolio of community fundraising activity, building and developing relationships with volunteers, schools, clubs, local businesses and community groups, while also nurturing existing supporters and creating an excellent experience for everyone who engages with us. You will lead the day-to-day delivery of our community fundraising and challenge events activity, proactively identifying new opportunities, developing a strong pipeline of support and managing your portfolio to grow income and deepen engagement with The Pepper Foundation.
Hours: 30 hours per week (37.5hrs FTE) working from home - applicants must live within Hertfordshire or Buckinghamshire (or surrounding counties)
Salary: £25,600 pro-rata (£32,000 FTE)
Key Responsibilities:
Financial
• Deliver or exceed agreed income targets across community and challenge event fundraising activities.
• Manage agreed budgets for community fundraising activities and challenge events, monitoring income and expenditure and ensuring activity is delivered in line with agreed targets and plans.
• Ensure activities are delivered as cost-effectively as possible, monitoring expenditure and helping to maximise return on investment.
• Develop and refine fundraising products, activities and supporter experiences that put supporters at the centre of what we do and encourage long-term engagement.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of community fundraising opportunities, identifying prospects, converting enquiries and building repeat support from individuals, groups and local organisations.
• Help convert one-off supporters and new enquiries into repeat fundraising relationships through strong stewardship, follow-up and tailored engagement.
Communication
• Build and develop strong long-term relationships with community groups, schools, clubs and individuals to increase awareness, support and donated income.
• Support and manage key fundraising volunteers to help deliver income and activities.
• Work with the Head of Fundraising and marketing partners to ensure community and challenge fundraising activities are promoted effectively through suitable online and offline channels.
• Confidently communicate the work of The Pepper Foundation and inspire support through a variety of channels, including informal conversations, networking, presentations, written materials, newsletters and website copy.
• Deliver a high standard of donor and supporter care to maximise fundraising potential and encourage long-term support.
• Contribute ideas and content for promotional materials within agreed budgets and timelines.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to broaden participation in community fundraising and increase supporter engagement across the region.
• Proactively identify, develop and secure new community fundraising opportunities with local schools, groups, businesses and supporters to grow income and broaden engagement.
• Ensure relevant staff and volunteers are well briefed on community fundraising activities.
• Always represent The Pepper Foundation positively and professionally.
• Communicate confidently with a wide range of supporters and stakeholders, handling queries and resolving issues in a calm and professional way.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the fundraising team to ensure community fundraising activity is aligned with the wider fundraising strategy and income goals.
Management
• Recruit, train, support and motivate fundraising volunteers to help deliver community fundraising activities and events.
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and partners, such as venues and event providers, to support successful delivery.
Planning and Organisation
• Develop and deliver activity, stewardship and campaign plans for community and challenge event fundraising within agreed priorities, budgets and income targets.
• Deliver high-quality fundraising events that raise awareness of The Pepper Foundation across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
• Use Donorfy, our fundraising CRM, to administer and manage fundraising activity accurately and effectively, working with the Database Volunteer as needed.
• Produce post-event evaluations and recommendations in line with agreed requirements.
• Use insight, pipeline information and performance data to review results, identify trends and recommend improvements to future activity.
• Manage the day-to-day planning and delivery of key events and campaigns, making decisions within agreed plans, budgets and fundraising procedures.
• Take responsibility for health and safety in community fundraising activities, ensuring appropriate risk assessments are completed and relevant fundraising and safety procedures are followed.
• Respond appropriately to unexpected incidents at community fundraising events, following agreed procedures and escalating where needed.
• Take an active role in setting up and clearing down events and community fundraising activities, including periods of standing and occasional unsocial hours.
• Arrange appropriate Pepper Foundation attendance at local community events when needed.
• Manage resources effectively, including volunteer support, to maximise reach, income and engagement.
Reporting
• Produce regular reports on pipeline, activity, outcomes, income performance and learning for the Head of Fundraising, highlighting opportunities, risks and recommendations.
How to apply: For further details about the role, please download our recruitment pack. Please send your CV with a cover letter explaining why you would make a great candidate for this role and how you meet the job description.
Closing date: Monday 13th July 2026 at 5pm
Interview dates: First-round interviews on 22nd and 23rd July with second-round interviews on 29th July 2026.
Interviews will take place at our office in Berkhamsted. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.
If appointed, an enhanced DBS check will be required.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.