Head of Volunteers

Job title: Head of Volunteers

Reports to: Head of Learning and Programmes

Department: Learning and Programmes

Grade: R4A

Main purpose of job

The British Museum enjoys the support of a large team of volunteers who generously contribute their time working with staff across the organisation. This role facilitates this incredible resource, managing all aspects the volunteering programme, both strategically and operationally. Leading the Volunteers Team, the role is responsible for pro-active recruitment and engagement with volunteers, and delivery of volunteer-led activity in collaboration with colleagues across the Museum. A key aspect of the role is building and promoting a positive volunteer culture.

Key responsibilities (in order of priority):

• To shape, grow and deliver the volunteer programme, building positive engagement and overseeing the recruitment, onboarding, training and retention of volunteers ensuring a skilled and enthusiastic volunteer cohort and a high quality of volunteering.
• Working with colleagues across the Museum, facilitate volunteer and staff partnerships and the provision of opportunities to support volunteer engagement.
• Meet the evolving needs of the organisation by developing new and innovative approaches to keep existing volunteers engaged and diversify the volunteers team.
• Develop and deliver a new strategy and plan for volunteering, identifying innovative ways to ensure continued strong and positive volunteer participation, and to ensure diversity and inclusion within the volunteer teams.
• Maintain, review and develop appropriate processes and procedures, in line with relevant Museum policies and procedures and external regulations, to ensure the safety and welfare of volunteers, and management of the programme.
• To manage, support, develop and motivate the Volunteer Team.
• Provide support and advice to departmental coordinators and supervisors of volunteers, ensuring there is compliance with policies and procedures and a consistent approach to volunteering across the organisation.
• Provide strong and motivational leadership for volunteers, providing advice and guidance to both volunteer supervisors and volunteers.
• Organise regular volunteer recognition events including the annual conference, volunteers’ fortnight, annual party and other activities.
• Manage programme budgets, ensuring activity is delivered on schedule within budget constraints.
• Manage, develop and deliver the Museum’s programme of volunteer-led tours, liaising with the Head of Interpretation. Ensuring they are engaging for the public, well-run and, when appropriate, generate income.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the impact of the Volunteer programme against objectives and in line with the Museum’s vision. Share findings and successes of the programme internally and externally through written reports, publications and presentations.
• Grow and foster an active network of external partners, agencies and stakeholders, utilising this network to share best practise.
• Other duties as directed by the Head of Learning and Programmes.

Main work pressures and challenges:

• Managing, recognising, and motivating a large volunteer team and handling the high demand from the public to volunteer
• Managing the high demand from colleagues for volunteers to support activity around the Museum, and maintaining a clear distinction between staff and volunteer roles
• Ensuring that the volunteers programme delivers for both the Museum, our diverse audiences and our volunteers, and, in so doing, ensure compliance with agreed processes and in line with relevant regulation.
• Managing the expectations of varying stakeholders, internal and external, responding to complex and sensitive issues as they arise.
• Frequent weekend and evening work

Key dimensions:

• Developing and managing the volunteer programme so that it successfully delivers benefit for our volunteers, supporters, audiences and for the Museum, aligning with the Museum vision.
• Ensuring the ongoing recruitment of volunteers, with focus on diversity and inclusion.
• Ensuring volunteers are recognised and valued in their work, and advocating for the programme internally and externally.
• Ensuring the development and delivery of a programme of volunteer-led tours for private groups and individuals and to generate income where appropriate.

What are the performance targets or standards?

• Ensure the continued support and engagement of the Museum’s team of volunteers and their ongoing contribution to the work of the Museum.
• Ensure that the volunteers programme is compliant with all relevant Museum processes and procedures.
• Deliver income generation for the Museum through the effective running of a programme of volunteer-led tours.
• Ensure the programme of free tours and Hands on desks that reach and impact a large number of audiences through effective engagement.

What changes are likely to occur in the next two years to this job?

• The Museum is embarking on a period of significant change as our masterplan projects come online. These changes are likely to affect the Museum’s volunteering programme. This role will be key to reviewing this impact and working with colleagues to ensure the continued engagement of volunteers with the Museum’s work.

Who are the main contacts of the jobholder and what are the relationships to these contacts?

Head of Learning and Programmes: Reporting, advising, liaising.

Direct Line Reports: Managing, advising, coordinating, influencing.

Volunteers team: Managing, advising, coordinating, influencing.

Other Museum departments: Advising, liaising, coordinating, influencing.

Museum Website: https://bmrecruit.ciphr-irecruit.com//templates/CIPHR/jobdetail_8109.aspx