Volunteer Programs Lead – Community Impact & Pets

Overview

As Volunteer Coordinator, you will recruit, support, and inspire volunteers to enhance rehoming and fostering services, promote Blue Cross in the community, and drive local volunteering initiatives. You will join a team aiming to be the best versions of themselves to help the pets in our care.

• Recruit and support a diverse team of volunteers and ensure they are fully integrated into the team.
• Promote the benefits of volunteering and raise awareness of the centre and Blue Cross in the local community.
• Support the delivery of our fostering and rehoming strategy by increasing volunteer involvement to help more pets.
• Build relationships with local communities and partners to provide targeted volunteer support.
• Work with the Centre Manager and Assistant Managers to welcome and collaborate with volunteers and ensure effective communication.
• Manage a part-time rota:
  Week 1 — Tuesday, Thursday;
  Week 2 — Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills to promote Blue Cross and the value of volunteering to external stakeholders.
• Handle volunteer situations with guidance, offering pragmatic solutions and maintaining resilience in an emotionally charged environment.

• Demonstrable experience supervising or managing volunteers.
• Experience running and marketing recruitment campaigns for volunteer roles.
• Experience working with local communities and promoting volunteer opportunities.
• Experience building relationships with external stakeholders and managing a bank of clients or volunteers.
• High standards of verbal and written communication.
• Experience in client-focused environments delivering high customer satisfaction.
• Strong organisational, administrative, and analytical skills, including use of computerised systems.
• Good interviewing and recruitment skills.
• Awareness of health and safety legislation.
• Current full driving licence.
• Ability to demonstrate and apply Blue Cross values.

• Qualifications in managing volunteers or similar.
• Training or coaching skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Experience working with animals and knowledge of animal welfare.
• Event organizing experience.
• Understanding of safeguarding issues.

• Generous benefits package, including holiday entitlement up to 43 days (FTE) with service, including Bank Holidays.
• Wellbeing programs and access to GP services, health cash plan, and employee assistance program.
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution.
• Professional and personal development support, including Continuing Professional Development.
• Life assurance and family-friendly policies.
• Discounts and recognition schemes, including pet-related benefits.