Volunteer Manager

Position Summary
The Volunteer Manager provides leadership and strategic oversight for Child Creativity Lab's volunteer program. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving volunteer recruitment, engagement, onboarding, training, retention, recognition, and communication systems to support the organization's mission, operational goals, and long-term growth.

The Volunteer Manager oversees volunteer-supported kit assembly operations, volunteer engagement initiatives, and corporate volunteer service activities while ensuring volunteers have meaningful, well-supported opportunities to contribute. Working collaboratively across departments, the Volunteer Manager identifies organizational volunteer needs, develops scalable volunteer systems and processes, evaluates program effectiveness, and ensures volunteer resources are strategically utilized to maximize organizational capacity and impact.

As a member of the Operations team, this position establishes volunteer program goals, monitors performance, evaluates outcomes, and makes recommendations that strengthen volunteer engagement and organizational effectiveness. As the volunteer program continues to grow, this position may provide leadership and supervision to volunteer program staff.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
1. Volunteer Program Leadership & Strategy
• Develop and implement strategies to recruit, engage, retain, and grow the volunteer program.
• Establish volunteer program goals, priorities, and annual objectives.
• Evaluate volunteer program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Develop, update, and maintain volunteer policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Identify opportunities to expand volunteer participation and organizational impact.
• Monitor trends and best practices in volunteer management.

2. Volunteer Recruitment, Onboarding & Training
• Oversee volunteer recruitment and outreach efforts.
• Develop recruitment strategies to attract diverse volunteer populations.
• Oversee volunteer screening, onboarding, orientation, and training processes.
• Ensure volunteers receive appropriate training, resources, and support.
• Evaluate and improve onboarding and training systems.

3. Volunteer Engagement & Retention
• Foster a positive, welcoming, inclusive, and service-oriented volunteer culture.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with volunteers.
• Provide leadership, guidance, coaching, and support to volunteers.
• Address volunteer concerns, conflicts and conduct issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Evaluate volunteer performance and determine appropriate recognition, reassignment, or removal from volunteer service when necessary.
• Monitor volunteer feedback and implement improvements based on volunteer experiences.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve volunteer satisfaction, participation, retention, and long-term engagement.
• Create and manage volunteer recognition and appreciation programs.

4. Volunteer Operations & Kit Assembly Management
• Oversee volunteer-supported kit assembly operations and staffing plans.
• Ensure volunteer resources are effectively allocated to support operational priorities.
• Develop systems and workflows that improve kit assembly efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinate with Warehouse and Program staff to forecast volunteer staffing needs.
• Monitor project quality, productivity, and completion timelines.
• Evaluate operational performance and identify opportunities for improvement.

5. Corporate Volunteer Programs
• Collaborate with the Partnerships team to support volunteer engagement opportunities for existing corporate partners.
• Lead the planning and execution of corporate volunteer service activities, including kit assembly events, volunteer preparation, project coordination, and event logistics.
• Develop and maintain processes, resources, and volunteer experiences that support successful corporate volunteer engagement.
• Ensure corporate volunteer activities align with organizational priorities, volunteer program goals, and operational needs.
• Evaluate corporate volunteer experiences and implement improvements to enhance participant engagement and program effectiveness.
 

6. Data, Reporting & Program Evaluation
• Maintain volunteer program metrics and reporting systems.
• Analyze volunteer participation, retention, recruitment, and engagement trends.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for leadership.
• Track progress toward volunteer program goals and objectives.
• Use data to identify opportunities for program improvement.
• Maintain accurate and confidential volunteer records.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with organizational leaders to identify volunteer support needs.
• Collaborate with Program, Operations, Warehouse, and Partnerships teams to maximize volunteer impact.
• Provide guidance to staff on effective volunteer engagement practices.
• Participate in organizational planning related to volunteer resources and capacity.
• Represent the volunteer program in leadership discussions and organizational planning initiatives.

Performance Expectations & Success Measures
Success in this role is demonstrated by:
• Growth in the number of active, engaged, and reliable volunteers supporting organizational needs.
• High volunteer satisfaction, retention, and ongoing participation rates.
• Effective recruitment, onboarding, training, and placement of volunteers across programs, events, and operational initiatives.
• Successful execution of volunteer-supported kit assembly projects that are completed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Strong volunteer participation in organizational programs, events, operations, and corporate volunteer activities.
• Development, implementation, and continuous improvement of volunteer systems, processes, and best practices.
• Accurate volunteer records, reporting, and meaningful program metrics that support informed decision-making.
• Strong collaboration and communication across departments to align volunteer resources with organizational priorities.
• Effective leadership and support of volunteers, resulting in a positive, inclusive, and well-managed volunteer experience.
• Increased organizational capacity and operational effectiveness through strategic volunteer engagement and utilization.
• Achievement of established volunteer program goals, objectives, and performance targets.

Qualifications
Required
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit management, volunteer engagement, community relations, public service, communications, or related fields.
• Experience leading or managing volunteer programs, community engagement initiatives, events, or customer-facing operations.
• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience coordinating multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Proficiency with databases, spreadsheets, scheduling, and tracking systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing processes, programs, or systems that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.

Preferred
• Experience in a nonprofit, educational, youth-serving, or community-based organization.
• Experience leading volunteers team leads or staff.
• Familiarity with volunteer management software or CRM systems.
• Experience coordinating community partnerships or donor programs.
• Knowledge of Orange County schools, universities, service clubs, or volunteer networks.