Waddesdon is an historic house and garden open to the public. Created by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild from 1874, it is home to the Rothschild Collection. Waddesdon’s collections are exceptionally rich in fine and decorative arts of the 18th century, assembled by three generations of the Rothschild family. Since 1957 the Manor has been owned by the National Trust and today it is managed by a charitable trust, The Rothschild Foundation, under the chairmanship of Lord Rothschild.

Waddesdon welcomes over 350,000 visitors to the property each year and we offer a programme of changing exhibitions, talks and tours, family activities and public events. Visitors are both National Trust members and paying visitors, and the income from our shops, restaurants, events, and filming helps support opening the Manor to the public, our education programme and the care of the buildings, collections and gardens.

Overall Purpose

The Head of Volunteering sits on Waddesdon’s Senior Management Team and sets the strategic direction for volunteering. The role is responsible for ensuring our 400+ volunteers, and the staff who line manage them, have the skills and support they need to confidently and consistently perform their roles.

While not directly responsible for line managing volunteers, the Head of Volunteering is a visible presence for all volunteers, exemplifying an approachable, friendly, and accessible attitude, and providing clear, empathetic and timely communication to volunteers and staff. Most importantly, the Head of Volunteering is an ambassador for Waddesdon’s volunteers at all levels of the organisation as well as externally, advocating for them and celebrating their contribution in all its forms.

This is a full-time property-based role with the expectation that the postholder is on-site a minimum of 4 days a week, Tuesday to Saturday.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Leadership and Management

Provide robust advice and support to departmental managers of volunteers, ensuring there is a consistent approach to volunteering across the organisation and adherence to policies and procedures.

Set the strategic direction for volunteering, ensuring it is aligned to the wider strategic vision for Waddesdon.

Contribute to wider operational decisions involving volunteers and advocate for volunteering at all levels of the organisation and externally.

Maintain clear procedures for volunteers, assisting departments with performance issues and conflict resolution in line with the Waddesdon Volunteering Charter and Waddesdon policies.

In consultation with the Volunteering Manager, ensure there is on-site support for volunteers and their line managers across Waddesdon’s seven-day operation.

Projects and Initiatives

Develop innovative approaches to volunteering to meet the evolving needs of the organisation and the changing landscape of volunteering.

Further embed the Waddesdon Volunteering Charter within the organisation.

Research and implement a new online volunteer rota and database system.

Grow and foster an active network of external partners, agencies and stakeholders.

Maintain Waddesdon as a centre of excellence for volunteering through benchmarking against similar organisations.

Work with the Sustainability Lead to embed Waddesdon’s sustainability values within the volunteering programme.

Work with other Heads of Department to develop and deliver annual training for staff managing and working with volunteers.

Communication and Acknowledgement

Build a strong rapport with volunteers and staff, maintaining an 'open door' policy and guaranteeing confidentiality where appropriate.

Promote a positive approach to change and encourage constructive feedback from volunteers.

Contribute to the planning of activities and events to acknowledge and thank volunteers.

Be a visible presence at volunteer training sessions, events, and other activities including giving presentations and speeches.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Manage volunteering budget to ensure departmental activities are sufficiently resourced.

Ensure volunteers are aware of Waddesdon’s access provisions and that reasonable adjustments are made for those with additional requirements so they can volunteer proactively.

Provide support to the Volunteering Manager in responding to volunteering enquiries.

Support the Volunteering Manager in refining the recruitment and induction process.

Support the Volunteering Manager in researching and improving volunteer satisfaction and retention.

Support the Volunteering Manager in developing and delivering annual training for volunteers.

Support the Volunteering Manager in ensuring all volunteers have undertaken required training and e-learning.

Represent Waddesdon and the Volunteering Department at conferences, other historic properties and sector events.

Regularly review strategies and structures to ensure best practice is integral to the volunteering programme.

Experience & Qualities

3-5 years’ experience working in the volunteering sector, preferably in a similar role overseeing a large volunteer team.

Previous experience delivering a volunteering programme at a strategic level.

Excellent people and communication skills with the ability to empathise and, where appropriate, challenge with tact and diplomacy.

Knowledge of volunteering best practice and innovation, and the different motivations people have for volunteering.

Good presentation skills.

Proven experience of change management.

Proven track record working with electronic volunteering databases.

Ability to adapt, innovate and manage expectations.

Experience advocating for volunteers and volunteering at all levels of an organisation Experience managing budgets.

Excellent knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).

Terms & Conditions

Contract type: Permanent, full time.

Hours: Minimum 37.5 hours per week, Tuesday to Saturday with the occasional Sunday and/or Monday, as business needs require. All such changes to the regular work pattern will be agreed in advance and for which time off in lieu will be granted.

Holiday: 33 days a year (including public holidays), rising to 36 days on completion of three full years' service, rising to 38 days after 5 years' service and rising to 40 days after 10 years' service.

Salary: £36,000 - £38,000 per annum.

Benefits:

Parental Leave - 3 months fully paid (after one year of service).

50% Discount in Catering Takeaway outlets and 20% in the Manor Restaurant and Stables Cafe, 20% in Retail, 20% at the Five Arrows Hotel.

Matched company pension scheme up to 10% of salary.

Free parking.

Beautiful location working within the charity and heritage sector.

Excellent wellbeing support and a focus on staff engagement and leadership development.

Recruitment process

To be considered for this role, please submit your CV along with a covering letter explaining how your experience and skills match those outlined above by emailing [email protected]

Deadline for applications:9am Monday 5th February 2024

Interview date: Wednesday 14th February or Friday 16th February 2024