Job Description
Head of Volunteering Development
* £40,000-£43,000 FTE per annum
* Re-location package offered
* FT, PT and flexible working will all be considered for the right candidate. Main operating hours are 9-5 Monday-Friday, with the occasional need to work weekends and evenings 6 month probationary period
* Full UK driving licence and access to a car required
* 25 days annual holiday plus bank holidays; 7.5 hours paid volunteering leave pa
* Flexible hybrid working from home and our offices, with travel to community locations across Somerset
We’re on a mission to help change lives and build healthy, resilient communities in Somerset.
We do this by supporting and championing voluntary and community organisations and providing a range of services, training, advice and support.
Will you help us create a Somerset where anyone can make great things happen for their communities?
The role:
Are you passionate about the power of volunteering to change lives, shape services, and build stronger communities?
Have you led transformational change in the third sector - and are now looking for your next big opportunity to make a lasting impact?
We are looking for a dynamic, strategic and values-driven leader to join us as our Head of Volunteering Development.
This is a senior leadership role with real influence & autonomy. Working with key stakeholders and partners, you'll lead the development and delivery of a forward-thinking, inclusive Vision for Volunteering for Somerset. With a remit that spans strategy development, community engagement, active citizenship and workforce wellbeing, this role will be key in exploring new and exciting approaches that makes volunteering accessible to all.
Key responsibilities:
* Engage with partners, stakeholders and the wider VCFSE sector and build strong relationships to shape and implement a Somerset Vision for Volunteering, building on the research and scoping work already undertaken:
* Work with partners across the health system to deliver the Volunteering for Health programme, an initiative that seeks to develop volunteering infrastructure to support health and wellbeing outcomes.
* Champion innovation in volunteer roles and pathways. Develop and implement innovative ways to engage new and returning volunteers and address barriers that exist.
* Identify and develop training and learning to support Volunteer Coordinators and Managers so volunteers feel supported, including the further development of our Volunteer Coordinators Forum.
* Work with the wider Spark Somerset team to develop our Digital Volunteering platform – Spark a Change that matches residents of Somerset to a range of volunteering opportunities.
* Work with grassroots community groups to co-produce ways to enable place-based volunteer engagement and embed a volunteering culture that supports better outcomes for volunteers, beneficiaries and communities.
* Represent Spark Somerset locally, regionally and nationally as a strategic leader in the volunteering space, advocating on behalf of the Somerset VCFSE.
* Collate and apply a range of quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate impact and champion the value of volunteering.
Person specification
You should have:
* Proven leadership experience in the third sector.
* A track record of strategic planning and delivering change in complex environments.
* Passion for volunteering and a deep understanding of the volunteer experience.
* Excellent strategic knowledge and understanding of the national and local volunteering landscape including the opportunities and challenges.
* A flair for building relationships, influencing stakeholders and working across organisational boundaries.
* Excellent communication and engagement skills.
* Ability to work in a fast-paced environment as a self-starter, prioritising and managing deadlines.
* Strong values around inclusion, compassion and collaboration.
In return, we offer:
* Flexibility and remote working options
* Open and friendly team environment
* Free Employee Assistance Programme
Diversity and inclusivity:
A diverse voice is a more powerful voice. Diversity in our people brings new viewpoints and this drives debate and creativity, which is key to successful campaigning and an ability to engage new audiences. As such, we encourage applications from people who belong to groups which are often marginalised in society.
To apply:
To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter explaining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role to recruitment@sparksomerset.org.uk.
For more information about the role or an informal chat, please contact Katherine Nolan on 07798 876061 or Katherine.nolan@sparksomerset.org.uk
Closing date: 2nd February 2026
Interviews: w/c 9th February 2026