Volunteers Programme Manager

ROLE OVERVIEW

This role offers the opportunity to lead and shape the entire volunteer experience at The Diana Award, from recruitment to recognition. The Volunteers Programme Manager will inspire and support volunteers, design and develop engaging training, and foster a strong community aligned with TDA s mission. Focusing primarily on the Mentoring Programme, you will manage key partnerships with corporate volunteers while driving recruitment and retention strategies. Working closely with the programme delivery team, you ll ensure volunteers are well-prepared and integrated into delivery, strengthening impact across all activities. Safeguarding young people is central to this role, ensuring volunteers are equipped to provide a safe and supportive environment. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead, grow, and celebrate a passionate volunteer community, making a lasting impact on young people and their communities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Mentor Co-ordination (recruitment, onboarding, supervision and support)

• Collaborate with and support the Programme Delivery team to design and deliver bespoke training for mentors, both online and face-to-face.
• Lead on the recruitment, onboarding, and training of mentors, working with programme delivery team to deliver a seamless mentor journey.
• Partner with the MarComms team to coordinate communications with volunteering partners and mentors about online and face-to-face opportunities. Lead and coordinate the full mentor journey in collaboration with MarComms, including recruitment, onboarding, and training.
• Co-develop and uphold robust volunteer policies and procedures with Operations and HR, ensuring compliance with organisational standards and legislation (including safeguarding, child protection, risk management, health and safety, and data protection). Coordinate with HR on implementation, including DBS, right-to-work, and reference checks.
• Encourage best practice sharing across the volunteer community, fostering collaboration and peer learning.
• Lead on recognition and celebration of mentors, including national campaign days, showcasing their contribution to TDA s work.
• Act as the key interface for external programme enquiries and represent TDA as an ambassador.
• Work in close partnership with Programme Facilitators to track attendance, engagement, and outcomes for mentors, ensuring reflective practice and continuous learning are embedded throughout the mentor journey.
• Act as the key support person for mentors and Programme Delivery staff, ensuring both groups feel equipped, valued, and able to deliver programme aims and outcomes

Cross-organisation working & sharing learning

• Work with the programme delivery team to design, deliver, and review programmes, ensuring best practice in mentor support during sessions and upskilling staff where needed.
• Lead mentor recruitment and retention strategies, creating diverse opportunities to keep mentors engaged and connected to TDA s wider strategy.
• Collaborate with fundraising and corporate partners to develop and grow partnerships that strengthen mentor engagement and support TDA s mission.
• Innovate mentor engagement by using technology to broaden opportunities, enhance communication, and ensure effective volunteer data management.
• Champion the role of mentors internally, ensuring staff understand and maximise their contribution to TDA s impact and strategy.

General Safeguarding Duties

• Ensure robust safeguarding practice, including responding appropriately to concerns about young people or adults involved in the programme and maintaining accurate records in line with legal requirements and TDA s safeguarding policies.
• Equip and support mentors on safeguarding, ensuring they understand policies and procedures through training and ongoing guidance.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of child protection, safeguarding, and abuse issues, applying new developments to strengthen practice across the programme.

EXPERIENCE

• Experience of volunteer management (experience working with corporate volunteers is a bonus)
• A proven track record in designing and delivering effective and engaging training to volunteers
• Knowledge and experience in safeguarding and child protection (or willingness to undertake training)
• Experience of writing clear, concise and engaging policies and procedures
• A demonstrable understanding of the role of youth work in contributing to positive outcomes for young people and different models of delivery
• Experience of building and managing relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including programme delivery team, external partners and funders

SKILLS

• Strategic and creative thinker, able to plan ahead, identify new opportunities, and write clear, engaging policies and procedures.
• Strong relationship builder, with experience managing diverse external stakeholders, including partners and funders, and inspiring commitment to TDA s vision and values.
• Excellent communicator, with strong interpersonal, public speaking, and presentation skills, and the ability to produce clear written materials.
• Well-organised and detail-oriented, with proven ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and collaboratively, and use IT systems (ideally including CRM).
• Knowledgeable and committed to youth work, understanding its role in positive outcomes for young people and championing meaningful youth participation and engagement.
• Dedicated to growth and development, with a commitment to self-learning and supporting others development.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Commitment to The Diana Award s vision, values and mission
• Personal integrity and credibility
• Commitment to self-development
• Driven to achieve great results
• Ability to work well under pressure

OUR ORGANISATION

• The Diana Award is committed to anti-racism, social justice and building and developing a workforce which reflects the diversity of the young people we support. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer that values and respects the people who work for us. We seek to ensure all job applications are treated fairly, with respect and without bias.
• We positively encourage applications from suitably experienced candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
• Every staff member has their own personal training and development budget, ability to work flexibly around core hours, access to our employee assistance programme 24/7, wellbeing initiatives, opportunities to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues both in person and online, and much more.
• We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all. This is a responsibility that is shared by all members of staff the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS or equivalent police check.

APPLICATION DETAILS

Application deadline: Wednesday 08 October 2025 at 11.00pm.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview to take place in our London office on Thursday 16 October.

Please reach out if you require any support with the application process or have questions about the role or the process.

Good luck with your application!