Job Title: Volunteer Manager
Line Manager: Chief Operating Officer
Contract: Permanent Salary: £35,000 per annum
Hours per week: 35 hours
Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 bank holidays
Role Description
Working closely with colleagues and project partners, the Volunteer Manager will lead the recruitment, training, development and management of volunteers across the Cathedral and Abbey site as part of the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The postholder will develop and implement a comprehensive volunteering strategy, ensuring volunteers are recruited safely, supported effectively and equipped with the skills to deliver a wide range of roles. The role will promote an inclusive volunteering culture, strengthen partnerships and ensure volunteers make a meaningful contribution to the Cathedral, the Abbey site and the wider heritage project.
About Our Volunteers
Volunteers are at the heart of Cathedral life and make an invaluable contribution to worship, welcome, learning, heritage, visitor engagement and events. Current volunteer opportunities are wide and varied, including Bell Ringers, Guides, Flower Arrangers, Shop Volunteers, Learning Volunteers, Sunday Morning Coffee Volunteers, St Ed's Singers, Gardeners, Young Families Volunteers, Servers, Events Volunteers, Vergers and Welcome and Information Volunteers. The Volunteer Manager will support these established teams while developing new opportunities as the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project progresses.
Key Responsibilities
Volunteer Strategy and Leadership
- Develop, implement and review the Cathedral's Volunteering Strategy.
- Lead the development of a sustainable volunteer programme.
- Ensure volunteering reflects sector best practice and supports the Cathedral's strategic objectives.
- Build strong working relationships with volunteer team leaders and provide ongoing support and guidance.
- Act as the primary point of contact for volunteers.
Recruitment, Induction and Volunteer Management
- Lead the recruitment, induction and ongoing management of volunteers across a wide range of roles.
- Ensure all volunteer recruitment complies with Church of England Safer Recruitment principles, including references and DBS checks where required.
- Develop and maintain volunteer role descriptions in partnership with volunteer team leaders.
- Maintain an accurate volunteer database, matching volunteers' skills and interests with organisational needs.
- Produce, maintain and regularly review the Volunteer Handbook.
- Receive volunteer feedback, concerns and ideas, escalating issues where appropriate.
Training and Development
- Design, coordinate and deliver volunteer induction, training and ongoing development programmes.
- Identify opportunities for volunteers to develop new skills.
- Ensure safeguarding and mandatory training remains current and accurately recorded.
- Regularly review volunteer practices to maintain high standards of service and visitor experience.
Inclusion, Engagement and Communications
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility throughout the volunteer programme.
- Develop recruitment approaches that encourage applications from underrepresented communities and remove barriers to participation.
- Implement an effective volunteer communications plan to keep volunteers informed, engaged and recognised.
- Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager to promote volunteering opportunities and celebrate volunteer achievements. Key Responsibilities
Partnership Working
- Work collaboratively with partners including English Heritage, Historic England, West Suffolk Council and local organisations to ensure a consistent and positive volunteer experience across the Cathedral, Abbey and wider heritage site.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with community organisations across the region.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Budget Management
- Collect, monitor and analyse volunteer data, including volunteer numbers, hours and feedback.
- Support project evaluation and reporting requirements for the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project.
- Produce regular reports identifying trends, achievements and future opportunities.
- Prepare and manage the volunteer budget, monitoring expenditure and reporting against forecasts.
Visitor Experience
- Ensure volunteers contribute to an outstanding visitor experience for all users of the Cathedral, including worshippers, pilgrims, tourists and event attendees.
- Support volunteers in presenting a welcoming, professional and inclusive image of the Cathedral in all interactions with visitors and stakeholders.
General Responsibilities
- Demonstrate commitment to the Cathedral's values, mission and inclusive culture.
- Work collaboratively with clergy, staff, volunteers and the wider congregation.
- Comply with all organisational policies relating to safeguarding, health and safety, equality, data protection and other statutory requirements.
- Work flexibly, including occasional evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. Time off in lieu will normally be provided, with overtime payable for agreed external events where applicable.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Chief Operating Officer.
Person Specification
Essential Qualities
- Managing volunteers across a range of roles using recognised best practice.
- Developing and implementing volunteer strategies, policies and procedures.
- Recruiting, inducting, training and supporting volunteers.
- Working successfully with paid staff and volunteers. Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on projects or programmes.
- Developing partnerships with community organisations, charities or public bodies.
- Leading teams within a visitor-focused environment.
- Line management, partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
- Working with diverse communities and promoting inclusive participation.
Knowledge and skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
- Ability to influence, motivate and build positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively within a heritage, commercial and place of worship environment.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Personal Attributes
- Understanding of the Cathedral's role as a place of worship, welcome, heritage and community engagement.
- Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.
- Collaborative, approachable and committed to excellent visitor and volunteer experiences.
- High Emotional Intelligence
Desirable Qualities
- Experience within a cathedral, church or heritage organisation.
- Background in heritage, tourism, hospitality or the cultural sector.
- Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Awareness of the ministry, mission and civic role of the Church of England and its cathedrals
Pay: £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bury St. Edmunds IP33 1LS
