371 Volunteer and community engagement manager jobs

Arthritis Action is the UK charity giving hands-on, practical help to improve the quality of life of people affected by arthritis. We offer an integrated self-management approach, which looks at both the physical and mental health impact of living with arthritis. We support people living with musculoskeletal conditions through healthy eating advice, mental health resources, pain management techniques, Online Groups, employment support, and exercise advice and resources. 

We are looking for an experienced Volunteering Manager, based in the Midlands, to lead the development of an exciting new volunteering programme, helping us build a diverse, inclusive and engaged volunteer community that brings our strategy to life.

The Role

Home-Based in the Midlands with monthly travel to the London office (EC1V) 

The Volunteering Manager will lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of volunteering within Arthritis Action. This is a new role responsible for ensuring that more people affected by arthritis across the country receive high-quality, evidence-based support and have meaningful opportunities to connect, participate and influence our work.

The postholder will oversee our volunteering activity, in turn enabling volunteers to extend our reach, strengthen communities and increase our impact across the region. The postholder will work closely with the Head of Services and Engagement to develop the relevant polices and strategies whilst also thinking about recruitment, onboarding, training and retention. 

Key Responsibilities

Volunteering Development 

• Develop a strong understanding of the volunteer journey, using insight, feedback and data to identify opportunities to improve engagement, satisfaction, retention and outcomes.

• Develop approaches to ensure volunteers can increase engagement amongst diverse and underserved communities. 

• Implement effective monitoring and evaluation processes to demonstrate impact. 

• Work with colleagues to identify opportunities to link volunteering and donor journeys.

• Establish effective onboarding, recruitment, training and retention processes. 

• Update existing volunteering policies and strategy documents to bring them in line with practice for 2026 and beyond. 

• Work alongside the CEO to support and develop our new Clinical Advisory Panel.

Engagement Building

• Develop and implement an engagement approach that strengthens relationships with existing and potential volunteers.

• Create meaningful opportunities for people with lived experience to volunteer with Arthritis Action.

• Work collaboratively with Communications and Fundraising colleagues to maximise awareness and impact. 

• Build relationships with community partners and relevant external organisations to build the volunteering network. 

Volunteering Strategy and Development

• Develop Arthritis Action’s volunteer strategy with support from the Head of Services and Engagement, creating a sustainable model that supports organisational priorities. 

• With support from the Head of Services and Engagement, establish appropriate volunteer policies, processes, safeguarding arrangements and systems. 

• Work alongside staff to create volunteer led services.

Line Management

• Act as the first point of contact for volunteers. 

• Responsibility for volunteers supporting the charity.

Data, Insight and Impact

• Use data, feedback and evaluation to understand the effectiveness and impact of our volunteering programme, identify opportunities for improvement, and enhance the experience and contribution of our volunteers.

• Report meaningful KPIs for volunteering and engagement, using the CRM.

Person Specification

 Essential

 Experience

• Experience of developing and establishing volunteering and volunteer led services within a charity, healthcare or related environment.
• Experience of developing and improving volunteering based on evidence, insight and user needs.
• Experience of engaging diverse communities, members, service users or people with lived experiences through volunteer led services and volunteering.
• Experience of developing partnerships and collaborative approaches.

Skills and Knowledge

•  Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to write in Plain English.
•  Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
•  Strong understanding of inclusion, accessibility and reducing health inequalities.
• Ability to use insight, data and evaluation to improve impact.

 

Attributes

•  An understanding of, and commitment to, Arthritis Action’s vision, mission, equal opportunities and diversity.
• A self-starter able to work on own initiative where required.
• Values-driven, collaborative and inclusive professional.
• Empathetic and committed to ensuring people’s voices shape services.
• Able and willing to travel within the Midlands.

Desirable

• Experience of supporting people with long-term conditions.
• Experience using CRM systems and digital platforms to improve engagement.

How to apply

Applications should be in the form of a CV with a covering letter explaining your interest in and suitability for the role. Please provide both email and telephone contact information for yourself.Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Applications should be received by 11:59pm on Thursday 17th September 2026 at the latest.

First-round interviews will take place by Zoom on Tuesday 22nd September 2026. Second-round interviews will take place in the London office on Monday 28th September 2026.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert ahead of the deadline should we receive a sufficient number of applications.

 

Arthritis Action is an equal opportunities employer. We treat employees and job applicants in the same way regardless of age, disability, marital status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion or belief

London Play is looking for an experienced and proactive Network Manager to lead the development of the Wilder Play Network, an ambitious initiative bringing together six adventure playgrounds across London to strengthen their role as community green spaces.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of play, community engagement and environmental improvement, supporting organisations that make a real difference to children and communities in some of London's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

About the role

As Wilder Play Network Manager, you'll be responsible for building and coordinating a network of partner organisations, supporting collaboration, learning and shared action across the programme.

Working closely with playground staff, local communities and strategic partners, you'll help deliver environmental improvements, support biodiversity projects, coordinate learning opportunities and ensure the programme creates lasting impact.

You'll also play an important role in helping establish the Wilder Play Network as a recognised voice for adventure playgrounds within London's green infrastructure and play sectors.

About you

We're looking for someone who can build strong relationships and bring people together around a shared vision.

You'll have experience managing projects involving multiple stakeholders and be comfortable coordinating activity, monitoring progress and supporting partners to achieve their goals.

You'll also bring:

• Excellent partnership and relationship management skills
• Strong project management and organisational abilities
• Experience working with communities, voluntary organisations or community-led projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to manage competing priorities and work collaboratively across a range of organisations
• A commitment to equality, inclusion, community action and the value of play

Why join London Play?

London Play is a small but influential charity championing children's right to play and helping create neighbourhoods where outdoor play can thrive.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-profile programme that combines environmental action, community engagement and children's play, while helping build a stronger future for London's adventure playground sector.

Help turn local generosity into life-changing support for people when they need it most.

At Braintree Area Foodbank, we believe no one in our community should have to face hunger or hardship alone.

We provide emergency food and practical support to individuals and families in crisis, while working towards longer-term solutions to poverty. Over recent years, we have increasingly focused on providing more in-depth support, helping people maximise their income, address the challenges they face and create the conditions to move forward.

Now, we are looking for a proactive and driven Fundraising Manager to help us build a sustainable future.

Please note that interviews will take place on the 15th of October 2026. We will be actively shortlisting and so will get in touch as soon as possible about inviting you to interview.

The role

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and grow our fundraising function. You will develop income from businesses, community organisations and individuals, building relationships that help turn local generosity into meaningful, long-term support.

You will have the freedom to identify opportunities, develop new ideas and build fundraising activity from a relatively blank slate. While we already have an established base of supporters and fundraising materials, there is significant scope to develop new relationships, improve supporter engagement and create sustainable sources of unrestricted income.

Working closely with the Charity Manager, staff and Trustees, you will play a key role in building a fundraising function capable of making a significant contribution towards the foodbank's future.

Fundraising Manager

Location: Braintree, Essex (hybrid working considered)
Contract: 2-year fixed term, part-time, 25 hours per week, with scope to increase in future
Salary: £18,000–£20,000 per year (£27,000–£30,000 FTE)
Annual Leave: 33 days including bank holidays (F.T.E)

What you'll be doing

• Developing and delivering fundraising activity across corporate, community and individual giving.
• Building relationships with local businesses and developing opportunities for partnerships, sponsorship, employee fundraising and other forms of support.
• Developing relationships with churches, schools, community groups and other local organisations.
• Growing individual giving, including encouraging one-off supporters to become regular donors.
• Identifying and approaching new supporters and proactively developing fundraising opportunities.
• Developing campaigns, appeals, newsletters and other communications that inspire people to support our work.
• Creating a structured approach to supporter stewardship, ensuring donors understand the difference their support makes.
• Building and maintaining a clear pipeline of fundraising opportunities and relationships.
• Maintaining accurate supporter records and ensuring appropriate GDPR and data protection practices.
• Monitoring fundraising activity and income, evaluating what works and reporting progress to the Charity Manager and Trustees.
• Developing and implementing an annual fundraising plan.
• Representing the foodbank at meetings, networking events and within the local community.

This job is for you if...

• You have experience in fundraising, business development, sales, income generation or another role involving securing financial support.
• You are confident building relationships and identifying new opportunities.
• You are comfortable approaching people, making the case for support and asking for financial contributions.
• You are an excellent communicator, both in person and in writing.
• You are proactive, self-motivated and enjoy working independently.
• You can turn ideas into practical action and are comfortable building something new.
• You are organised and able to manage multiple relationships, opportunities and priorities.
• You are confident using databases, spreadsheets, email and standard office software.
• You share our commitment to treating people experiencing hardship with dignity and respect.

Experience of charity fundraising, corporate partnerships, individual giving, community fundraising or supporter databases would be an advantage, but we welcome applications from people with transferable experience from other sectors.

About us

Braintree Area Foodbank is a charity founded on Christian principles. Not every member of our team is a Christian, but we share a commitment to the values that underpin our work and welcome applications from people who do the same.

We believe that all people are created equal and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where people are treated fairly and with respect.

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to make a real difference locally while building something with long-term potential. You won't simply be maintaining an existing fundraising programme, you'll have the opportunity to shape it, grow it and help create a more sustainable future for a charity supporting thousands of people across our community.

Love meeting donors, building relationships and securing meaningful funding for a compelling cause? 

At Target Ovarian Cancer, we're looking for a talented relationship fundraiser who thrives on connecting passionate supporters with causes that change lives. 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced major donor fundraiser who enjoys being out meeting people, uncovering opportunities, securing significant gifts and developing long-term partnerships that make a real difference. 

You'll inherit and grow a portfolio of high-value supporters, develop new donor relationships, and work with philanthropists and trusts and foundations who want to help stop ovarian cancer devastating lives. 

If you're energised by donor meetings, comfortable leading funding conversations, and motivated by turning warm relationships into transformational gifts, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role 

As our Senior Philanthropy & Partnerships Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in growing income from major donors, trusts and foundations, and strategic funding partners. 

Working closely with the Head of Philanthropy & Partnerships, Director of Fundraising & Engagement, Chief Executive and Trustees, you'll identify and cultivate new opportunities, develop compelling funding propositions and deliver outstanding stewardship that inspires long-term support. 

A significant proportion of this role is externally focused. You'll spend time meeting donors and prospects, building relationships, understanding motivations, presenting opportunities and making asks. 

To be successful, you'll be supported by a dedicated Philanthropy & Partnerships Programme Manager who leads on donor events, reporting, stewardship support and CRM optimisation, allowing you to focus on building relationships and generating income. 

Why join us? 

For the right candidate, this could be a career defining role at an organisation that has the credibility, leadership and propositions to deliver transformational funding growth. Working in a supportive but driven department, with two experienced high value fundraisers within the senior leadership team and a supportive board, this is a real opportunity to make your mark.

Why join us?

We’re a values-driven charity committed to saving lives by funding world-leading research, treatment, and care at The Royal Marsden. You’ll be part of a collaborative, ambitious and kind team, with plenty of opportunities for learning and development.

About the Web and Analytics Manager

We are looking for a Website and Analytics Manager to join our digital team. This role will suit a digital and analytics expert. A proactive, supportive and solution focused digital professional who is keen to hit the ground running, enjoys collaborating with colleagues across the team and wider organisation, and is passionate about adding value.

The Website and Analytics Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and improvement of our digital platforms, website and their connected tools. As well as analysis and reporting of results, content creation and more. This person is a technical expert and will play a crucial role in how we develop our digital channels.

Relationship management across the Charity and with third party suppliers is also a key part of the role.

What you’ll be doing

• Day to day ownership of the web ecosystem including royalmarsden org, subdomains, microsites and donation platforms including managing relationships with third party agencies and suppliers to maintain and improve these platforms.
• Work with the Senior Digital Manager to set the strategic direction for our websites and associated digital experiences, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities, supporter needs and fundraising objectives
• Manage website improvements and Manage website improvements and performance optimisation work, including CRO, SEO and core web vitals, driving continuous improvement of our supporter journeys and embedding a data led approach. 
• Lead the web team, line managing the Digital Officer and Senior Digital Officer, supporting the effective allocation of resources across the team, coaching direct reports and fostering a high performing team culture.
• Manage the Digital Officer and Senior Digital Officer to deliver relevant, engaging, optimised and audience centred content, landing pages and digital journeys across various digital channels, and overseeing the website content calendar and campaign content deploys.
• Work alongside Marketing and Digital colleagues to ensure our project planners are up to date and website content is in line with our wider audience journeys and content needs. 
• Partner with teams across the charity to understand user and organisational needs, to deliver a range of projects and campaigns, including fundraising campaigns.
• Analyse and interpret website analytics data, communicate results to the wider team and use insights gained to inform and direct positive change. 
• The Website and Analytics Manager also owns the relationship with a third-party agency to deliver improvements to our tracking set up, and ensures compliant, accurate and reliable data collection. 
• Ensure the website platforms are secure, accessible, scalable and complaint with all relevant regulation and legislation. 
• Work with the Senior Digital Manager and Head of Digital Content and Engagement to develop and manage the website budget, contributing to business planning, forecasting, and monitoring spend. 
• Work to improve digital literacy across the charity alongside Marketing and Digital colleagues, training colleagues in how to use our CMS and other key digital skills such as data and insights.
• Occasional out of hours support where required for critical website/campaign related activity. 
• Keep up to date with digital technology and share this knowledge with colleagues both within the digital team and across the wider Charity team.

About you - The successful candidate will need:

• Experience of working on CMS systems, knowledge of headless CMS systems would be an advantage.
• Experience managing digital agencies, developers and third party suppliers.
• Knowledge of UX and digital user journeys.
• Understanding of PPC advertising.  
• Experience of line management  and developing junior digital staff, including coaching, performance management and workload prioritisation.
• Experience of creating content for websites, including a strong understanding of SEO and CRO principles.
• Understanding and experience using  website reporting systems e.g Google Analytics , Hotjar, Google search console. 
• Interest in digital technologies, fundraising/donation platforms and innovation within the charity sector.
• Excellent communications skills, particularly within stakeholder management.
• A proactive, solution focused approach to prioritisation and workflow management.
   

The following are beneficial but not essential:

• Experience owning and developing digital products, platforms or websites, including roadmap planning and prioritisation.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting expenditure and monitoring performance against management accounts.
• Project management, digital publishing and any related software technology training.
• Experience of working within a fundraising organisation.
• Analytics training.
• Paid advertising training/skills.
• Strong team ethos with a track record of collaborative and supportive working.
• Experience managing Google Ad Grants and/or Google Ads accounts, including campaign optimisation, reporting and compliance with programme requirements.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasting expenditure and monitoring performance against management accounts.

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

What we offer

• Hybrid working between home and Chelsea with travel to Sutton once a month.
• Flexible working around our core hours of 10am to 4pm.
• 27 days annual leave rising with length of service.
• Up to 6% employer contributions subject to matched contribution from you (increasing with length of service).
• Training, support and development opportunities.
• Access to the blue light discount scheme and other discounts opportunities.
• Access to subsidised staff restaurants, on-site yoga and wellbeing classes, staff choir and much more.
• Range of wellbeing initiatives including access to an employee assistance programme designed to save money and improve your physical, financial and mental health and wellbeing, access to free online GP appointments and free eye tests and contribution towards any glasses required for work purposes.

Inclusion matters

• We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and walks of life.

About us
The Microbiology Society is a membership charity for scientists interested in microbes, their effects, and their practical uses. It has a worldwide membership based in universities, industry, hospitals, research institutes, schools, and other organisations.

Our members have a unique depth and breadth of knowledge about the discipline. The Society’s role is to help unlock and harness the potential of that knowledge.

Our commitment to anyone who studies microbes is “whoever you are, wherever you are, we will amplify your voice”.

Read more about our mission and values at the Microbiology Society Website.

About you
We are looking for a Scientific Events Manager, on a part-time basis, who will be responsible for the development of the Society’s Annual Conference and other events, in line with the Society’s strategic objectives, bringing together members and delegates from across the breadth of microbiology. This role involves working with the Events Operations Manager and Head of Scientific Programmes to ensure an impactful and sustainable annual events programme that enables members and delegates to strengthen their existing relationships and gain access to new communities, maximising networking opportunities.

The Scientific Events Manager will work across multiple departments to plan and deliver the Society’s Annual Conference and other events by develop branding, promotions and other opportunities to raise event awareness and build engagement with key stakeholders, industry and other partners and fostering the Society’s relationships with them.

The postholder will have experience in organising and managing scientific conferences or large scale events, and setting and managing budgets, with excellent communication skills, written and oral, to build effective relationships with key individuals at all levels using effective negotiation techniques.

Please note that the organisation operates a hybrid working policy.

For more information about the Society, please visit our website.

Our generous benefits package includes;
• Flexible working hours
• Highly competitive salaries with an annual cost of living increase
• 23 days holiday + eight bank holidays and three additional days over the Christmas break
• 10% employer pension contribution
• Life insurance including free (health and wellbeing) employee support services
• Enhanced maternity pay to include 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and 13 weeks of statutory maternity pay
• Enhanced Adoption pay to include 26 weeks of fully paid adoption leave and 13 weeks of statutory adoption pay
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• £50 contribution towards eye care

To Apply

Please attach your CV and Cover Letter.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Interviews will be held in-person at the Microbiology Society Office.

Closing date: 25th September 2026

“We are interested in every candidate who is eligible to work in the United Kingdom. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.”

It is important that you DO NOT include your Personal Information i.e. name and contact details in your CV or Cover Letter. This is because the Microbiology Society is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We value, promote, and seek diversity.

The Society also takes the security of your data seriously. It has internal policies and controls in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused, or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.

Please note that due to limited resources, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted therefore, if you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job Summary 
This Volunteering Coordinator is a new position that will directly support the management of our volunteers, the projects they work within and how they engage with people experiencing homelessness. Volunteers are integral to our projects year-round and contribute to our strategic goals around community power and solidarity. Our projects range from Christmas events, engagement projects, prevention initiatives and supporting fundraising campaigns. 

This Volunteering Coordinator will be instrumental in the recruitment, onboarding, welfare and on-going support of our volunteers, some of whom also use our services. They will be passionate about people and enjoy working closely within our project teams to ensure volunteers have the best possible experience. 

Key responsibilities 

As the Volunteering Coordinator is a new role for Caring in Bristol, certain elements will evolve as the position embeds into the team. However, the key focusses will be to: 

Recruitment of volunteers 

• Promote volunteering opportunities across the city 

• Target potential volunteers who support our mission and values, have appropriate skillsets, and represent groups who are representative of the clients we support and align with our strategic Equality, Diversity and Inclusion goals 

• Through a variety of promotional tools create and distribute volunteer recruitment assets for Caring in Bristol marketing channels to spread CiB volunteering opportunities 

• Attend volunteering recruitment events and engage with prospective volunteers 

• Work with Income Generation colleagues to build a base of engaged and informed volunteers to support fundraising events and activities in the community 

• Develop and deliver the volunteer application process 

• Conduct reference and DBS checks for new volunteers where required 

Volunteer Retention 

• Update and develop our volunteer induction programme with project staff embedding the values of the charity as well as an understanding of homelessness in our city 

• Provide pastoral guidance to volunteers, to ensure they feel heard and supported 

• Get to know our regular volunteers and work alongside them to understand the best way to motivate and engage them in their roles 

• Attend the projects on a regular basis 

• Work with CiB Safeguarding Leads to uphold the safety and safeguarding of volunteers and our service users in the development and management of volunteering in the organisation 

• Escalate volunteer complaints or disciplinary issues to project managers and senior management as appropriate 

• Manage communication with our volunteer groups, including curating a regular newsletter to keep volunteers informed about our work 

Administration - Volunteer Management & Development 

• Working alongside our Corporate and Community Coordinator, manage opportunities for groups of corporate volunteers within the organisation 

• Update volunteer-facing documentation and policies including the Code of Conduct, ensuring they are implemented consistently across Caring in Bristol volunteering

• Become the organisation's administrator/key user for the volunteer management database. 

• Provide administrative support to ensure volunteers receive any out-of-pocket expenses

• Support Caring at Christmas volunteer allocations and project-specific communication 

• Work as part of the Caring at Christmas on-site management rota 

• Manage the central volunteer email inbox, consulting with project teams where necessary to ensure queries are managed in an appropriate and timely fashion.

#Volunteer #Volunteering #Coordinator #Caring in Bristol #Homelessness #Bristol

Each year Youth Careers Collective works with more than 6000 young people and we are supported by over 1000 employer volunteers, who take part in employer engagement events, careers and employability skills workshops, work experiences placements and one-to-one career mentoring.

The Youth and Volunteer Engagement Manager is a new role at Youth Careers Collective, establishing an active and well-supported alumni community, empowering our Youth Board, and actively engaging with and managing our wide network of Young Associates and volunteers.

This is an important and dynamic role in our team, seeking to develop deeper and more impactful relationships across our community.

To work effectively with these various stakeholders, you will be a natural relationship builder and an empathetic individual, with an understanding of different needs, extremely organised, able to identify opportunities and respond flexibly to change.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Experience

• Three years or more experience of working within a purpose-led organisation, such as a charity or social enterprise.
• Three years or more experience of working directly with and supporting young people (aged 16 to 24), ideally including young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
• Experience and understanding of how best to support inclusion and participation of young people with lived experience, alongside demonstrable experience of engaging and building productive relationships with marginalised and disconnected young people.
• Experience of working with and supporting diverse volunteers; driving recruitment, engagement and retention.
• Experience of designing and facilitating engaging and dynamic events, activities, learning and development opportunities, with and for young people and volunteers.
• Experience of managing and improving organisation wide systems and processes.
• A background and experience in one or more of the following disciplines:
  • Youth work
  • Training and facilitation
  • Careers and employability
  • Education
  • Personal and professional development

Skills

• Adept and enthusiastic relationship builder, with the ability to engage and energise others, including with marginalised young people.
• Good communication skills, able to speak confidently with young people, volunteers, and senior professionals.
• Very organised, with an attention to detail, excellent time management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong IT proficiency, including the use of Excel and CRMs.
• Confident and effective at using a range of tools to support planning and project management.
• Able to create clear, professional and accessible resources and tools.
• Able to understand and explain complex concepts in a straight-forward and accessible manner.
• Able to self-manage, staying efficient and motivated and on task.
• Able to operate in a fast-paced environment without compromising on accuracy or quality.

Attitude

• Passionate and enthusiastic about improving young people’s lives.
• Highly motivated and energetic.
• Can take initiative and is comfortable working independently
• Thrives in a busy and fast-paced working environment.
• Positive and solution-focussed, able to maintain a positive approach to problem solving.
• Self-assured, with a ‘can-do’ approach.
• Welcomes feedback, with a desire to continuously improve and develop.
• A commitment to our organisation values of; empowerment, collaboration, reliability, quality and learning.

WHAT WE OFFER

• £36,230 per annum

• 28 days leave (inc. 3 days between Christmas and New Year)

• 2 volunteering days

• 1 life event day

• Matched pension contributions (up to 6%)

• Flexible working (our core business hours are 10am to 3pm)

• Life insurance (5 x annual salary)

• Canada Life WeCare employee support package

Dean Farm Trust is seeking an experienced and compassionate Sanctuary Operations Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and operational management of our 32-acre animal sanctuary near Chepstow.

Home to 200 rescued animals, including pigs, cows, sheep, goats, equines and birds, Dean Farm Trust provides a home for life to animals in need. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role with animal welfare at its heart.

The Sanctuary Operations Manager will lead our on-site team, working through our Team Leaders to ensure the Sanctuary operates safely, effectively and to the highest standards of animal welfare. The role will oversee staffing and rotas, volunteer development, recruitment and training, budgets and resources, facilities and maintenance, land and pasture management, health and safety, compliance, contractors, projects and the operational delivery of Sanctuary events and activities.

We are looking for someone with strong leadership and people-management experience who is confident managing a busy operational environment and developing both staff and volunteers. You will need to be organised, practical and able to balance the immediate demands of running a sanctuary with longer-term planning and improvement.

This is an important appointment for Dean Farm Trust as we strengthen our operational structure and build a sustainable future for the Sanctuary. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director and Trustees while taking real ownership of Sanctuary operations and providing strong, consistent on-site leadership.

A genuine commitment to animal welfare and to the values of Dean Farm Trust is essential.

Please read our full Candidate Pack before applying. It includes the complete Job Description, information about Dean Farm Trust and further background on why we are recruiting for this role now.

This is a varied and rewarding leadership role that combines operational management, people leadership, and business development. You'll play a key part in growing our impact by developing new partnerships, building strong relationships with stakeholders, and expanding both our on-site and outreach programmes.

To succeed in this role, you'll be a confident and adaptable manager who can balance day-to-day operational demands with strategic thinking and creativity. You'll enjoy problem-solving, prioritising competing demands, and managing a diverse workload where no two days are the same.

We're looking for someone who:
• Has strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams
• Can foster positive collaboration across teams and functions
• Has experience building and managing partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Brings commercial awareness and business development experience
• Has experience working in the charity, social care, health, or related sectors

We're looking for someone who:
• Has strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate and develop teams
• Can foster positive collaboration across teams and functions
• Has experience building and managing partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Brings commercial awareness and business development experience
• Has experience working in the charity, social care, health, or related sectors

In return, Thrive offers the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day, working with a values-driven charity that transforms lives through gardening and nature. In addition, you’ll be working in a collaborative and supportive organisation at our National Office, set in 3 acres of beautiful grounds.

You will support our Head of Community and Engagement with a range of focus areas, which currently include, but are not limited to: volunteer and freelancer management, project management support, research and development, line managemnt and other tasks.

From Puppy to Partnership: Help Transform Lives
Lead our volunteer team and make a tangible difference by supporting volunteers in their vital work to help create life-changing assistance dogs for disabled people.

About Canine Partners
At Canine Partners, we breed, train, and support expert assistance dogs to create loving, life-changing partnerships with disabled people. Across the UK, we support people with a variety of physical disabilities and their families, carefully matching them with a dog that suits their needs, personality, and lifestyle.
Our dogs bring confidence and independence, love and companionship, reducing reliance on carers and giving people the freedom to live life their own way.

The Role

Position: Head of Volunteering
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Location: Homebased
Travel: Travel throughout the UK will be required (approx. once a month on average) for events, leadership meetings, staff engagement days and to collaborate with the team. More travel may be required during the induction period.

Our volunteers are key to the success of Canine Partners by supporting us in all areas of the organisation. You will develop and lead our volunteer strategy, focusing on how we recruit, train and retain our amazing team of 1000 volunteers. Canine Partners is progressing through a significant growth period, and we need to have more volunteers on board to help us achieve this. Through strong leadership, effective volunteer management practices and a positive volunteer experience, you will help build a resilient volunteer community that strengthens service delivery, enhances organisational culture and supports the charity's long-term growth and sustainability with the goal of helping more people.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the development of innovative approaches to volunteer recruitment, engagement, retention and recognition.
• Lead the volunteer team who support the journey and experience of volunteers
• Collaborate with our communications team to develop and implement a volunteer recruitment strategy to increase volunteer numbers
• Support staff across the organisation to effectively recruit, manage and develop volunteers.
• Ensure volunteer related policies, products and procedures are aligned with the needs of the organisation and sector best-practice, ensuring we are an accessible and inclusive organisation for volunteers
• Regular board level reporting on measurable objectives and performance indicators

About You

• Significant strategic leadership experience in volunteering within a charity, public sector or community organisation.
• Strong knowledge of volunteer management best practice, governance and relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of developing and delivering volunteering strategies that support growth, organisational change and strategic objectives.
• Experience of implementing or optimising volunteer management systems, CRM platforms or digital tools to improve the volunteer journey.
• Experience of managing risk, safeguarding, conflict, disputes and complex volunteer-related issues with confidence and compassion

Most importantly, you will be passionate about the transformative impact that our assistance dogs provide to our beneficiaries.

Ready to Make a Difference?
If you are excited about this role, don't hesitate to apply! We welcome applicants who bring unique perspectives, and would be delighted to hear from you. Please apply online with a comprehensive CV and supporting statement explaining how you believe you match the requirements of the role.

Please note we may interview candidates prior to the closing date. If we find a suitable candidate or receive a high volume of applications, we may close this advertisement prior to the closing date so apply now to ensure you don't miss out! Please be assured that we contact all candidates regarding the outcome of their application, this may take longer if we receive high volumes of applications.

Closing date: 4th October 2026

We recognise the benefit of diverse experience and welcome and encourage applications from all sections of the community. We are a disability confident committed employer.
Applications are initially reviewed using our applicant tracking system, which may use automated screening criteria to help identify candidates whose skills and experience match the requirements of the role. All hiring decisions include human review.

REF-230777

Job Title: Senior Volunteer Manager

Reporting To: Head of Volunteering

Salary Range: £40,00 - £45,000

Contract Type: Permanent

Direct Reports: 7 situated across England.

Location: London, Hybrid with frequent travel to sites across England.

Hours/Days per week: 35 hours per week, 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday.

Requirements: Felix only employs applicants who currently have the

right to work in the UK. We will carry out a DBS check for the successful candidate.  

We are Felix

We bring people together to rescue, repurpose, and share surplus food that would otherwise go to waste, turning an environmental problem into a social opportunity.

Together with 16 other independent charities, 18,000 volunteers, and thousands of partners, we are the UK’s food rescue network, supporting 1.5 million people across the country.

We‘re about fuller plates, fuller communities, and fuller lives.

 

Purpose of the Job 

We are looking for the Senior Volunteer Managerto play a key role in working as part of a team to grow and improve our volunteer programme. Thousands of individuals volunteer regularly across Felix’s four depots, three food production sites and Felix’s UK’s three regional centres and, with a smaller number in Fundraising and other teams. We aim to improve our volunteer programme, as well as develop new opportunities, and make Felix a great place to volunteer.

The post holder will have five primary focus areas:

• Manage the development of individual volunteering at Felix, initiating and overseeing improvement projects and new opportunities and considering both volunteer experience and operational practicality.

• Line manage and continue to build, develop and support a team of seven. Lead on agreeing team and individual goals and priorities and oversee the team’s work.

• Support the team to develop site strategies to grow and improve our volunteer program and manage issues and opportunities at a local and tactical level.

• Collaborate with members of the operations team and other Felix colleagues to continue to integrate the volunteering team within Felix’s work, champion a ‘one-team’ approach.

• Collaborate with the Head of Volunteering, Volunteer Development Manager (Network) and Group Volunteering Manager on strategy and improvement projects

 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage seven Volunteer Managers, providing leadership and development opportunities and leveraging their expertise.

• Lead and manage team collaboration, development, communication, and resource distribution.

• Ensure that change management principles are utilised successfully to bring the team together post merger.

• Assist Volunteer Managers in integrating into site teams and fostering productive relationships, championing and facilitating a collaborative "one team" approach.

• Support Volunteer Managers in implementing strategies which promote volunteer recruitment, retention, and engagement.

• Oversee the involvement and experience of individuals who volunteer with Felix regularly, aligning their needs, skills and motivations with those of volunteer-involving teams.

• Work with colleagues to plan, set goals, make data-driven decisions, monitor progress, and report on volunteer recruitment and retention.

• Initiate, manage and collaborate on improvement projects and new processes, particularly in Felix’s depots and kitchen.

• Support Volunteer Managers in resolving volunteer issues, escalating to the Head of Volunteering when necessary.

• Lead the implementation of volunteer-related policies and continuous improvement initiatives locally.

• Assist Volunteer Managers in organising local volunteer events.

• Network with external stakeholders to promote the Felix Volunteer Program and integrate best practices.

• Perform additional duties as needed during the absence of volunteer management team members.

• Your normal duties and responsibilities will be set out in your job description. However, the charity may require you to perform other duties from time to time

Person Specification 

You will want to spend time with our volunteers and get to know their experience and perspective. You will be a strong people manager, love working with a wide variety of people and be able to quickly build strong and positive relationships in a volunteer-centric organisation. You have extensive leadership, management and team building experience, like to see the impact of your work, and can implement and lead on new ways of working. You have a passion to be in a charity that is expanding rapidly and thrive in a busy environment. You will have a desire to help reduce food waste and/or fight food poverty.

Essential Criteria 

• Strong individual and team management skills within a fast-paced environment

• Strong change management skills- especially those within a post merger environment.

• Excellent verbal and written communicator at all levels

• Great organisation and Planning skills with the capability to manage multiple tasks and projects.

• Good computer skills including the ability to use Office365

• Ability to effectively collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders

• Capacity to foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment

• Practice in volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention.

• Capability in organising and facilitating events and activities for volunteers.

• Prior experience in a managerial role, preferably within the nonprofit or volunteer sector

• Experience in networking with external partners and stakeholders

• In-depth knowledge of best practices in volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention

• Understanding GDPR and good data management practices

 

Equity Diversity Inclusion & Belonging

At Felix, we are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. We value the unique contributions of every individual and strive to create a respectful, inclusive environment free from discrimination or prejudice. Our commitment extends to all employees, and volunteers, ensuring equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of background or characteristics.

Application procedure 

Once you apply you will be directed to our recruitment portal. Please upload your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and make sure that they are both uploaded before submitting your application. After you have submitted your application, you have 24 hours in which you can access you application and make edits. We will only consider applications with both CV and cover letter submitted.

Recruitment timeline 

We reserve the right to close advertisements early and we might assess candidates and arranging interview as applications come in, so please apply as soon as possible, to avoid missing out on this opportunity.  

Due to the anticipated large number of applicants, if you do not hear from us within four weeks of your application, we regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful. Consequently, will not be able to provide feedback.

About the role

Volunteers are highly valued at Parkinson’s UK because of the vital contribution they make to our aims for supporting every Parkinson’s journey. You’ll provide high quality guidance and support to provide an excellent volunteering experience for the incredible people who give their time, experience and skills to support the Parkinson’s community.

What you'll do

• Provide high quality support and guidance to volunteers and colleagues

• Develop and deliver volunteering projects that ensure the entire volunteer journey is easy, engaging and enriching

• Provide consultancy for teams across the charity on effective ways to involve volunteers in their work

• Support colleagues with role development, recruitment and onboarding of volunteers

• Develop and deliver volunteer communications and engagement, including planning and sending communications on our volunteer management system and other channels

What you'll bring

• Experience of managing or leading volunteers

• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to get things done in a timely manner

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences

• Proven ability to build rapport and relationships local and nationally

• Experience of reporting, data and insight to improve processes and experience

Please apply by sending us your CV and a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the criteria in the "What you'll bring" section of the job description.

Applications close on 20 September 2026.

Interviews for this role will be held on 30 September 2026 in person at our London office.