Volunteering is pivotal for the success of the RSPB; we simply could not save nature without volunteers. With over 12,000 volunteers giving their time and talents regularly, it is important that we ensure our large workforce are being well supported so they are having a quality volunteering experience, gaining enjoyment and satisfaction from what they do, as well as having real impact for nature through their work.
This role will lead and champion high-quality volunteering activity across RSPB England to ensure strategic plans recognise and realise the potential of existing, emerging and new volunteering activity. 

Alongside this, the Volunteering Development Manager will lead our RSPB Local Group work in England, working with internal stakeholders to support the independently-run local group network who, in turn, deliver a wide range of activities and events to support the RSPB.

You will be a leader of change, and will possess strong leadership and communication skills to build relationships and trust with colleagues across the organisation. You will inspire and support functional and area teams to build volunteer capacity within their teams and foster strong relationships with Local Groups. In particular, you will champion the creation of new developmental volunteer roles, flexible roles, and roles which are accessible and inclusive. 

You will have knowledge of, and respond to, trends within volunteering and working with community groups, and will be confident in sharing your knowledge with the RSPB England workforce.
This role is England-wide, managing a geographically dispersed team, so you will be organised and work consistently to have good visibility to the teams you support. This role line manages a small team of volunteering development officers and a small team of local group officers.
The role holder will be a member of the England Engagement Leadership team, working alongside peers in education, families and youth, and, community empowerment to help champion wider society objectives within the RSPB’s Saving Nature Through People strategy. You will also work closely with volunteering colleagues at UK headquarters and in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to share best practice and knowledge.

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Substantial and demonstrable volunteer management experience and experience in delivering agreed work objectives through a geographically dispersed organisation the scale of RSPB England.
• An up to date knowledge and understanding of current volunteering issues within the third sector and how they relate to an operation of the scale of RSPB England.
• Experience of providing strategic operational advice and guidance on volunteer involvement to people at all levels, and building effective stakeholder relationships.
• Experience of developing and implementing coherent strategies and policies that support the development and implementation of an innovative and effective volunteering programme that delivers against business need.
• Experience of assessing and managing risks related to volunteering, including financial, safeguarding and reputational.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to manage and deliver a diverse workload whilst ensuring effective prioritisation and balancing of the needs of a range of stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and coach a team, developing others, managing performance effectively, setting clear expectations and objectives, and fostering a positive working environment across a dispersed team.