Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager

Job Location

Lifsey-Development

Job Summary:

The Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, governance, design, and ongoing optimization of the organization’s volunteer engagement program. This role owns the development, administration, and refinement of a comprehensive volunteer strategy that advances organizational priorities, strengthens community relationships, and drives meaningful engagement.

This position exercises independent judgment in setting strategic priorities, designing and maintaining systems, and determining the overall direction of volunteer and community engagement efforts. The Manager serves as a strategic partner to the Director of Development and organizational leadership, providing insight and recommendations that materially influence community engagement, donor pipeline development, and program growth.

The primary duty of this role is the strategic administration, design, and optimization of volunteer engagement systems and operating practices. While the role may engage directly with volunteers and community partners, such engagement is conducted to advance program strategy, standards, and long-term organizational outcomes rather than day-to-day execution.

The Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager will promote a positive work environment that celebrates our vision, mission and core values of Teamwork, Respect, Uprightness and Empowerment in every action and interaction with team members, donors, customers, management and persons served.

Job Description

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Design, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive volunteer engagement strategy aligned with organizational and development goals.
• Establish strategic priorities, define success measures, and determine the overall direction of volunteer and community engagement initiatives.
• Develop, document, and maintain scalable systems, policies, standards, and workflows that ensure long-term sustainability, consistency, and growth of the volunteer program.
• Identify opportunities to expand community partnerships and increase engagement impact.

Program Oversight & Execution Management

• Provide strategic oversight of volunteer initiatives, ensuring alignment with established strategy, operating standards, and organizational priorities.
• Define and evaluate approaches for recruitment, onboarding, training, and retention by establishing frameworks, criteria, and standards, rather than performing routine coordination.
• Monitor program effectiveness and make strategic adjustments based on data, feedback, and organizational needs.

Leadership, Influence & Cross Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a strategic advisor to leadership on volunteer engagement and community partnership opportunities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align volunteer initiatives with fundraising, programmatic, and organizational priorities.
• Represent the organization externally, building relationships that strengthen community presence and engagement.
• Provide functional leadership and direction to cross functional partners, volunteer leaders, and stakeholders without direct supervisory responsibility for Goodwill employees.

Data Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Establish metrics and reporting frameworks to evaluate volunteer engagement and program success.
• Analyze data, trends, and qualitative feedback to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement
• Provide insights and recommendations to leadership based on performance results and emerging opportunities.

Volunteer Leadership & Experience

• Provide strategic guidance, standards, and expectations for volunteer leaders and volunteer teams, ensuring alignment with organizational values, policies, and program objectives
• Design recognition and stewardship strategies that foster long-term engagement and retention.
• Evaluate volunteer experience models and recommend improvements that support sustainability, brand alignment, and Development goals.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Skills

Education

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Experience

• 4+ years of experience in volunteer coordination, community engagement, or related fields preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategy, designing systems, or administering programs with measurable outcomes, rather than primarily coordinating activities.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and make decisions that impact program direction and outcomes
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Ability to design, implement, and optimize systems and processes that support scalable growth
• Experience collaborating across teams and influencing outcomes at a strategic level
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills