Summary

We’re looking for a Volunteering & Community Manager to join our property team at Knole. This key leadership role is at the heart of the development and delivery of our volunteering and visitor offer. You’ll manage community engagement and partnerships, working with property colleagues in the Collections & House and Visitor Experience teams, along with our Senior Programming & Partnerships Officer. You’ll ensure our volunteering offer grows and develops alongside our property aims and ambitions. Capable of managing complex relationships you will lead for volunteer involvement and greater engagement with communities.

What it's like to work here

Knole is a stunning property which boasts a 1000 acre deer park, historic showrooms with a world-class collection of paintings and furniture, sprawling courtyards, gatehouse tower and conservation studio. We are passionate about caring for this wonderful property and visitors are at the heart of all we do.

We are a busy team, who like a challenge and work at a fast pace. We work collaboratively with each other and the wider property and we're hands on and work together to get the job done.

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What you'll be doing

Reporting to the General Manager you’ll manage Knole’s team of Volunteering & Community staff and a delegated budget. You’ll be responsible for the effective management and development of Knole’s valued and highly skilled team of over 350 volunteers. You’ll ensure volunteer cover across the property and deliver plans for recruitment, retention, and ongoing development.

You’ll work in partnership with the Property Leadership Team to strategically plan, implement, and evolve volunteering at Knole and our work with communities. Coaching colleagues to increase their confidence and capability and creating a positive, flexible, and inclusive environment for volunteers, communities, and partners.

You’ll support the General Manager to develop an inclusive culture and embed the ‘Everyone Welcome’ value. You’ll be a key member of the leadership team and collectively responsible for the effective operation of the overall property and delivery of the Property Business Plan.

Knole is a busy heritage attraction, and all staff members work on a rota basis across seven days of the week. Regular weekend and Bank Holiday working is required as part of this role. You’ll be required to work one weekend per month, with time off in lieu given.

Who we're looking for

Understanding of good practice in volunteering, volunteer management, community engagement, participation, and partnership working.

Understanding of innovation in volunteering and different approaches to participation.

Practical and successful experience in developing and implementing innovative approaches to volunteering.

Strong knowledge of relevant legislative requirements relating to the role – including the legal distinctiveness of volunteering.

Able to build effective and collaborative relationships with property leadership peers and their teams, and partners.

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