Summary

This Northumbrian country house and grounds is one of the National Trust’s more recent acquisitions. Seaton Delaval Hall has recently undergone a major transformation; with £7.8 million invested in conservation and developing the visitor experience, including the new Brewhouse café and the Delaval Playdium play area. A place of theatre, imagination and fun that brings together a spirit of adventurous programming and events, alongside the drama of the place, that keeps visitors coming back again and again. Seaton Delaval Hall continues to go from strength to strength having welcomed 100,000 visitors in the last year, for the first time.

On completion of the project as we reopen the site as a whole, we are looking for someone to join the team in this important role to help improve the volunteer experience as the team and the offer grows. You will promote and plan for great volunteering and community involvement and support the creation of new offers and approaches. Working to promote 'one team', you will support other volunteer managers in this changing and dynamic environment. You will help ensure that they are confident and capable working with volunteers and the local community. 

You will continually develop and review volunteer and community involvement, seeking to involve volunteers in all we do and grow support for our work with people who live locally. You will be good with systems and processes, utilising the Trust systems for coordination of volunteers, managing compliance and training and the efficient keeping of up-to-date volunteer records and database. You will ensure good volunteer recognition, communication, recruitment, induction and ongoing training and development. You will improve the volunteer experience, using insight and evaluation to help shape the future of volunteering at Seaton Delaval Hall.

Interview date: Friday 18 March

What it's like to work here

Following completion of a major conservation project, the Curtain Rises, Seaton Delaval Hall is about to embark on the next act in the Hall's theatrical history. Join this close-knit and passionate team of staff and volunteers at this exciting time as we reopen the site as a whole to visitors and continue to work with partners and develop community relationships to bring the spirit of this special place to life.

Click here for more information about this location

What you'll be doing

You'll promote and plan for great volunteering and community involvement and support the creation of new offers and approaches. You will support other members of the property team to ensure they are confident and capable of working with volunteers and the local community. You will continually develop and review volunteer and community involvement, seeking to involve volunteers in all we do and grow support for our work with people who live nearby.

You'll have a sound working knowledge and experience of volunteering principles and practice, including recruitment, good ongoing communication, welcoming everyone and training opportunities. Working as part of a 'one team' approach to support other volunteer managers in this changing and dynamic environment. You'll also be able to recognise the key differences between staff and volunteering roles, the approach to reward and recognition, and dealing with challenging situations.

Who we're looking for

• Have a sound understanding of volunteering trends and experience developing volunteering offers and programmes.
• Have experience developing community involvement to grow support.
• Be passionate and enthusiastic about the benefits of great volunteer and community involvement.
• Be knowledgeable and understanding of the core purpose and work of the National Trust.
• Have a flexible approach and positive attitude towards change.
• Be resilient and confident managing challenging situations.
• Have great people management skills, including coaching, motivation and communication. Sensitivity, empathy and tenacity. Able to work to other people’s agendas and adapt approach and style.
• Have excellent people skills, enabling strong relationships to be built and maintained, externally and internally.
• Have knowledge and experience managing finance and budgets.
• Have good written and verbal communication skills including public presentation and influencing.
• Have a track record of inspiring others with your passion for excellent service delivery and the importance of involving our supporters in our cause.
• Good IT skills.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Wherever you’re from, and whatever your background, we want to hear from you – and it doesn’t matter if you’re jam first, cream first, or even if you don’t like scones at all. Everyone is welcome.

Benefits for working at the National Trust include:

• Flexible working whenever possible

• Free parking at most locations

• Free entry to our properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary