The Volunteer Engagement Manager is responsible for recruiting, supporting and developing a large and diverse team of volunteers, working closely with colleagues to ensure safe, welcoming and well‑resourced live delivery across all our activity. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly organised and people‑focused individual who enjoys working in a busy, event‑driven environment. At the heart of the role is the co‑ordination and support of more than 250 volunteers, ensuring that each event is appropriately resourced and delivered to a high standard. You will be responsible for producing volunteer rotas, communicating regularly with volunteers and colleagues and playing a key role in creating a supportive and positive experience for audiences, artists, staff and volunteers alike. If you enjoy bringing people together, are highly organised and take pride in solving logistical challenges, this role offers the chance to make a visible and meaningful contribution to the success of The Stables.
Responsibilities
* Identify volunteer resourcing requirements for the effective delivery of events and liaise with staff, project teams, partner organisations, artists and volunteers as required.
* Prepare, maintain and actively manage volunteer rotas, including ongoing communication with volunteers to confirm availability, respond to changes and address gaps in cover and daily shortages.
* Maintain accurate volunteer records, availability information and rota data using agreed systems and tools.
* Contribute to weekly operations meetings, providing updates on volunteer resourcing, risks and emerging pressures.
* Provide administrative support to the Head of Operations in relation to event staffing and volunteer operations, including reporting and planning.
* Recruit, induct, train and develop volunteers, supporting positive engagement, retention and progression into a variety of roles.
* Support the Head of Operations with aspects of Duty Management induction and training, ensuring strong alignment with the volunteer training and operational management.
* Promote consistently high standards of management and customer service across all front‑of‑house and backstage activity where volunteers are deployed.
* Work with the Customer Services and Ticketing Manager to respond to customer feedback, ensuring learning is shared and improvements are implemented.
* Ensure artists and visiting productions are warmly welcomed and supported during their visit and that merchandise and hospitality services are delivered front‑of‑house and backstage as planned.
* Support the Head of Operations in implementing and maintaining health and safety procedures, operational policies and safe working practices.
* Act as a Duty Manager on a planned basis as agreed, to maintain operational knowledge and provide resilience and cover as required.
* Act as key holder for the building as required, including opening and closing duties.
* Respond to operational issues as they arise, escalating to the Head of Operations and liaising with contractors where appropriate.
* Undertake any other duties as required appropriate to the level of responsibility of the role, as reasonably required.
Qualifications
* Good standard of education or equivalent.
* Previous experience managing or coordinating volunteers.
* IT literacy, including confidence using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
* Basic first aid knowledge.
* Tech‑savvy with experience using scheduling administrative tools.
* Experience acting as a key holder.
* Experience supporting or managing people in a venue, arts, cultural or events environment.
* Ability to make recruitment and training presentations to large groups of volunteers, ability to respond to emergency callouts within a reasonable timeframe.
* Excellent planning, coordination and rota management skills.
* Numeracy skills and experience handling financial transactions.
* Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required.
* Current driving licence and access to own transport.
* Commitment to ongoing learning and development.
Key Attributes
* Collaborative and professional, with strong interpersonal skills and an inclusive, team‑focused approach.
* Positive, energetic and committed to delivering exceptional experiences.
* Self‑aware and pragmatic.
* Confident and tactful manner, with a strong focus on customer care.
* Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
* Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
* Clear and confident communicator, both written and verbal.
* Calm, flexible and adaptable in a fast‑paced live events environment.
Based in the village of Wavendon, Milton Keynes, the post is offered as a full‑time annualised hours role. Working hours will include a mix of evening and daytime shifts and will involve weekend working, agreed by rota with the Head of Operations. The holiday entitlement for the post is 20 days per annum (plus statutory holidays) increasing by one day per annum for every year worked up to a maximum of 25. The job will be subject to a 9‑month probationary period. Full terms and conditions will be made available on offer of appointment.
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