Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager (North Yorkshire and East Riding)

Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage. Heritage lives in places and people, memories and stories, artefacts and traditions. It can connect us all to the past, and to each other. It can make us happier, strengthen every community, and help shape society for the better. Everybody should be able to enjoy the benefits it brings.

That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England, from international icons to local treasures. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create.

About the role

We are looking for a Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager to join our team. The role is full time and permanent, working 36 hours per week.

We offer flexible working arrangements where the role allows. This role can be based at home, at one of our sites or offices, or on a hybrid pattern. You will be required to attend sites in your area on a frequent basis.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced volunteering and community engagement professional who is looking to build on and diversify their skills working with a wide range of communities by building new exciting partnerships and engagement programmes that put our places at the heart of the local community.

As Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager, you will be a key member of our team in the north growing our volunteering and community engagement programme through a range of activities, partnerships, and volunteering opportunities. This role will support our mission by leading and developing initiatives that foster strong connections between the sites and their local communities. You will develop and deliver engagement programmes and recruit and manage volunteer teams. This will include developing engaging and relevant experiences for our visitors, under-represented audiences, and local communities, maximizing opportunities for public engagement with sites and ensuring they are well cared for.

As part of the regional Volunteer & Engagement team, you will also contribute to operational site management of free-to-enter and hidden gem sites including health and safety, and will be responsible for the management of formalised partnerships (such as Local Management Agreements). The role supports the financial sustainability of English Heritage by fostering in-kind support, community fundraising, and developing partnerships to enhance visitor experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop initiatives that foster strong connections between sites and their local communities.
• Develop and deliver engagement programmes.
• Recruit and manage volunteer teams.
• Create engaging and relevant experiences for visitors, under-represented audiences, and local communities.
• Maximize opportunities for public engagement with sites and ensure they are well cared for.
• Contribute to operational site management, including health and safety.
• Manage formalised partnerships (such as Local Management Agreements).
• Support financial sustainability through in-kind support, community fundraising, and partnership development.

Requirements

• Relevant experience of managing a diverse volunteering programme, ideally across multiple sites.
• Experience working with a range of people from the local community.
• Experience working with external partners and community stakeholders.
• Experience devising and delivering activities, events, and outreach to new audiences.

Benefits

• Salary from £26,674, depending on skills, experience, and location.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, pro rata, rising to 28 days after 3 years.
• Matched pension contributions up to 10%.
• Flexible hours (some weekend working is required).
• Opportunity to progress your career within the heritage sector.
• Potential apprenticeship opportunities.
• Subscriptions to professional bodies.
• Free access to all English Heritage sites for you and up to six friends and family members.
• 25% discount in our shops and cafes.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, or shared parental leave.
• Options to buy additional leave.
• An inclusive working atmosphere where everybody is supported from all backgrounds, religions, and with different needs.
• Opportunities to attend some of our great live music and history events.

Schedule

Full-time, permanent role working 36 hours per week.

Interviews will be held the week commencing 28th September, either in York or online via Teams call.

If you would like to talk to us, e.g., about workplace adjustments or working patterns, please email volunteer.hub@english-heritage.org.uk.